Whiskey – it’s for Jack or Jill.
Whether you consider yourself a whiskey connoisseur or ready to try something new, our monthly Women & Whiskey series focuses on the roles women play in “whiskey business.” From distilling, to marketing, and everything in between, join us every third Thursday of each month to taste and learn about this dark spirit and the people behind the scenes. Whiskey – bold, smart, and diverse, with a history just the same.
Tickets must be presented at the door (printed or on phone).
- $15 presale for Whiskey Social Hour, $20 at the door
- $2 per ticket will go back to Culinaria
- Free tastings, bites, and brief presentation from each vendor
- Live Entertainment
- Retail Vendors
Presentations from vendors will begin around 7PM.
LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE.
About the Presenters
Milam & Greene
June 15th, 2023
Marlene Holmes
Kentucky native, Marlene Holmes, joined Provision Spirits to help create and launch Milam & Greene. In her role as master distiller, Marlene oversees the distilling, aging, blending, batching, proofing, sourcing, finishing, and bottling of the award-winning Milam & Greene whiskey brand. Marlene is a stickler for perfection and takes a meticulous, creative, hands-on approach to ensure the production of top-quality whiskies. Under her direction, the team distills using a 1,000-gallon copper pot still in Texas as well as in continuous column stills in her home state of Kentucky. The team travels to Kentucky to distill using its own mash bill, yeast recipe, and distillation processes. The whiskey is matured in both Kentucky and Texas. Marlene started her career in whiskey in 1990 with Jim Beam in Kentucky. During her time with this classic bourbon brand, she honed her craft and learned all about the whiskey business before moving to Texas.
Previous Presentations
Dickel Whisky
May 18th, 2023
Karah Wylie
Karah Wylie was born for hospitality. A natural caregiver, she easily identifies the needs of others to create and execute unique experiences that result in happy customers, increased sales, and exceeded goals. Karah tailors the care and attention she provides to her customers, always working to raise the bar and elevate the status quo. She enjoys working in the industry alongside many life-long friends and relishes any opportunity to help them achieve their goals.
A 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Karah has worked as a Staff Mixologist and a Bar Manager. She enjoys making an impact on the quality of education in the industry and actively expands her knowledge. Karah holds a WSET Level 2 in Spirits and a WSET Level 2 in Wine & Spirits, as well as an Associates Degree in Photojournalism and Psychology from San Antonio College.
Karah believes happiness is a choice and finds hers by cooking, baking, hiking, gaming, building LEGO sets, and doing volunteer work. In fact, she’s run the San Antonio Cocktail Conference Volunteer program since its inception in 2012. Karah currently resides in San Antonio with her husband Tim, her son Robin, her stepdaughter Juniper, and their 3 dogs.
Still Austin
April 20th, 2023
Chris Seals, Co-Founder & CEO
Seals grew up in a family that valued creative expression, excellence, and individuality. Creating a bourbon that is excellent and independent -- as well as true to its place -- is something that matters deeply to Seals. That commitment to excellence and individuality can be seen in Still Austin’s one-of-a-kind 42-ft tall Scottish-made still, which is the only of its kind in North America. Still Austin also uses a rare and labor-intensive process of slow water reduction while the barrels of bourbon mature. The process is a labor of love that few distilleries choose to undertake - but results in the highest quality of spirit.
Giving back is also in Seals’ and Still Austin’s DNA. Chris is active in the company’s support of the community with everything from emergency assistance (hand sanitizer, supplying water during the big freeze, etc.), to charitable giving of several local organizations like the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). Additionally, he’s always willing to assist other Founders and CEOs gain access to capital.
When Seals isn’t running a whiskey distillery, he is busy raising his three teenagers. As an openly gay man, he’s an active member of the LGBTQ+ community through membership in the Austin LGBT Chamber, volunteer involvement with Equality Texas, Hill Country Ride for AIDS, and support for other related organizations. He also loves beekeeping and listening to the best live music in the world.
Maker's Mark
March 16th, 2023
Richard Taubert
Richie worked in the food and beverage industry for over 15 years, including 10 years specializing in wine and spirits. Starting in 2017, he developed tasting classes at Total Wine to educate the patrons on enjoying wine and spirits and create a fun learning environment. Following his time at Total Wine, Richie moved to Mexcor, where he became the Director of Education for Wine and Spirits. There, Richie developed innovative techniques across Texas to help the company better inform clients about the wines and spirits in the company's portfolio. He currently works for Southern Glazers as a representative, working with the beam suntory portfolio which includes the Makers Mark family.
The Balvenie
February 16th, 2023
Naomi Leslie
While a Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie, Naomi has led hundreds of whisky tastings, workshops, seminars and dinners across the Eastern US. – including even the rarest prestige variants 50 years and older. Her expertise has grown even further after training at The Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown Scotland, learning the craft of whisky-making directly from craftspeople and hearing their stories, including the renowned Malt Master David Stewart MBE and Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie.
Looking forward, Naomi hopes to dive deeper into the world’s most handcrafted products, as an explorer of the global whisky markets. In her free time, Naomi is an avid traveler, archer, as well as a photographer, specializing in beverage, food and travel. Additionally, she is a certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist.
