Be curious and bold. Discover new sources of joy and inspiration.

Be a force of nature. Use your passion, power and wit for good.

Build your legacy. Face adversity with wisdom and elegance.

Black Rock Society was formed by women who love whisky and appreciate its centuries of craft and collaboration.

Whisky has a long history of bringing communities together, and women have always played a prominent role. We celebrate women who defied the odds to make important contributions then and women who inspire us now.

For whisky explorers, we offer access to tastings and certified instruction, exclusive merchandise to keep or gift, and a pastime with social impact. All net proceeds benefit organizations who empower women and enhance the community.

We are a nonprofit corporation registered in Missouri. Our directors are women with deep expertise in nonprofit management, community programs, and yes, single malt Scotch.

Our Inspiration

Nearly 200 years ago, Helen Cumming distilled whisky in her home while her husband John worked on the family farm. The quality of Helen’s spirit became known, and she sold her whisky through the window of her farmhouse. She is said to have walked to town with flasks hidden under her skirts for sale.

The Cummings’ farm was located on a hill above the River Spey, so Helen was able to see the excise men approaching and transform her distillery to appear as a bakery. Not only did she invite the excise men in for tea and baked goods, she delayed them with sleep accommodations and raised a red flag over her home to alert other distillers in her region.

Helen’s distillery, Cardhu (derived from the Gaelic expression for “Black Rock”), survived the bootlegging era and later thrived under the leadership of Helen’s daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Cumming. So successful was Elizabeth’s growth strategy that she ultimately sold Cardhu to Johnnie Walker and Sons, maintaining a family seat on the board and securing jobs for all her workers, as well as negotiating electricity for the region.

Helen ran her distillery as a farm wife and mother of eight children during a time of heavy-handed opposition. She was active into her 90’s, graced with more than 50 grandchildren. 

Elizabeth was pregnant and had recently buried her husband and daughter when she took the reins of Cardhu, mentored by Helen.

The women of Black Rock were bold in their endeavors and never failed to look out for others. They inspire us to live by our shared values.