For fifteen years, Bourbon Women has been redefining what leadership, education, and inclusion look like in the American whiskey world. As the first national whiskey organization for women in the United States, Bourbon Women will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2026 with ambitious programming and a commemorative whiskey blend.
Founded in 2011 by Peggy Noe Stevens, the organization was built with a clear purpose: to inspire, educate, and empower women through whiskey. What began as a grassroots community has grown into a nationally respected network with 16 branches across the country, including one of its most vibrant and impactful chapters in Texas.
Texas: A Key Chapter in the Bourbon Women Story
Texas has become a powerful hub within the Bourbon Women network, serving as a center for education, mentorship, and professional development. The Texas branch brings women together through curated tastings, hands-on workshops, industry panels, and community-driven programming that demystifies American whiskey and creates direct access to opportunity.
More than social gatherings, these events are intentional spaces for growth. Women connect with distillers, brand ambassadors, hospitality professionals, and educators, building relationships that translate into real career pathways. The Texas chapter also celebrates local distilleries and hospitality leaders, reinforcing the state’s growing influence in the spirits industry.
Just as important, Bourbon Women’s presence in Texas reflects its broader commitment to underserved communities. By partnering with distilleries, educators, and advocates, the organization works to lower barriers to entry into the spirits world. Through accessible training, credentialing programs, and leadership development opportunities, women, particularly those historically underrepresented, gain tools and confidence that might otherwise be out of reach.
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact
To mark its 15th anniversary, Bourbon Women will release a specially crafted commemorative whiskey blend developed in collaboration with Bourbon Women experts, distillers, master tasters, and blenders. The milestone year will also introduce a new premium education credentialing program designed to position participants as recognized authorities in American whiskey knowledge.
From its Louisville roots to its dynamic Texas chapter, Bourbon Women has built more than an organization; it has built a movement. A movement that centers women’s voices in whiskey, invests in underserved communities, and creates pathways to leadership in an industry that continues to evolve.
Fifteen years in, the mission remains clear: inspire, educate, and empower. And in Texas, that mission is not only alive, it’s also thriving. [Source: The Whiskey Wash]
