Celebrating one of Scotch whisky’s most influential women – Janet Harbinson of The Macallan

The Macallan has launched an eight-minute short film celebrating the legacy of Janet Harbinson, one of the most remarkable figures in its history. – Photos: The Macallan

The Scotch whisky industry has had a number of influential female figures throughout its history, but one of the earliest and arguably most legendary was Janet Harbinson, also known fondly as ‘Nettie’.

Harbinson is a remarkable figure in the history of luxury whisky brand The Macallan. Born in the Scottish town of Elgin in 1869, Janet Isabella Harbinson was the daughter of Roderick Kemp, the owner of the brand from 1892 to 1909, and she is widely considered the architect of the brand’s rise to prominence outside Scotland.