It’s always a pleasure speaking with everyday people about their love of whisky. Whether you spell whisky with the E or without, Instagram has become the “it” social media platform to share knowledge. Today we interviewed Maggie Banks or as she goes on her instagram account by “Whiskeyiseverything”. Dive right in with us and see what she’s all about. You will not be disappointed.
Maggie, please tell us a little about yourself. How did you find yourself immersed in the world of whisky?
M: I was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. It was pretty wild growing up a mile from ASU. I grew up with 5 brothers, I like to say this is why I’ve always been a little crazy. Lets just say I had waaaaaay more rules than my brothers. I’m huge into the arts. I love drawing, painting, and making figurines outta paper. I taught myself how to sew and cook. Which is pretty funny because I come from a family of incredible chefs. My family owns a few restaurants but again I rebelled and never wanted to learn to cook. It wasn’t until I met my husband I started to dabble in the kitchen. I quickly fell in love with cooking and it’s what I do most in my freetime. I had always been a casual whiskey drinker until last year.
Do you remember your first dram? Tell us the story about that.
M: So, I don’t remember the first exact time that I first had whiskey but the moment that sticks out most is when I was about 15. I caught my older brother and his best friend in the backyard drinking Jack Daniels. I talked him into letting me try it and I loved it. I could drink it like water and that’s still the case.
Maggie, lets talk Whisky or should we say Whiskey… You’re considered an influencer on Instagram when it comes to this beautiful spirit. People go to your page and engage in the content you post. Do you feel you have some kind of responsibility to your followers with the type of content you post and what information you provide them?
M: Totally! Sometimes, I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. When I started this account it was just to learn more about whisk(e)y it was never my intention to be an influencer. I found that people actually value my opinion and that’s absolutely insane. I feel like it’s my job to be honest about every bottle that I open whether it is something I randomly picked up off the shelf or a bottle that a company sent me.
I am sure over the years you got to taste some really amazing spirits. Throw your top 5 at us, and tell us why your number one is.. well your number one.
M: OH MAN… Is this a trick question? I feel like this is a trick question. I have been very fortunate to be able to try some incredible whiskies. But top five..
5. Macallan M
4. Macallan Reflexion
3. Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1973
2. Del Bac Dorado
1. Copper City Bourbon
This is such a funny list. You’re probably wondering how I can go from a $6k bottle to $40. The Copper City isn’t necessarily the best whiskey I have ever had but it is one of my most purchased and it’s incredibly special to me. It’s actually distilled here in Tempe. I’m a sucker for anything that is local but more importantly it’s extremely well made.
You run the Hangover Betty Podcast: Wine and Whiskey Show. Tell us about that. How you got involved, what its all about, and why everyone should be tuning in!
M: AHHHH, Hangover Betty. So, this has been on the back burner for me for over a year now. My husband runs his own radio network and we have done radio together for years. I stepped away from the mic but really want to get back into the host seat. I miss it. The Whiskey and Wine show is just another outlet from me to talk about everything whiskey and wine related. I honestly have word vomit when it comes to these topics. Once I find the time to buckle down and put out a show you will be the first to know. But until then you can hang out with me every Tuesday at 6pm PST on Instagram live. It’s what I can fit-in in between my mom duties.
Let’s talk a little about women and whiskey. As a prominent and a respected woman in whiskey, what do you think whiskey companies should do to engage women, who make up 50% of our populations demographic to actually try whiskey.
M: This is such a tough question for me. Like I said earlier I grew up with 5 brothers so I’ve always done “boy” things. But I have noticed that being a woman in this industry is different. I think that the best way to get more women involved is to make it more inviting. We need to get rid of this whole boys club feel because let’s face it EVERYONE likes whiskey. Maybe in the near future we can have an event featuring women in the industry. Especially women like Pam Heilmann from Michters and Marianne Barnes from Castle and Key who are doing such amazing things in the whiskey world.
And do you think these spirit owned business should reach out to women, if so, why.
M: Most definitely. We like whiskey too! Haha But seriously I feel they would benefit more because they wouldn’t be cutting their demographic in half. It’d be a great way to reach more people and break up the boys club. I think what I do is a perfect example of that.
Millennials, are the future of business, which means they are the current and future buyers in this country. Do you think Craft Distillers owe it to change their marketing to reflect this new market? “You ether change or you get left behind” or should they stick to the same, as the saying goes “If it’s not broken don’t fix it”? Maybe there is some middle ground?
M: I think it would be quite impossible to recreate the whole industry and hopefully people wouldn’t want to. It’s history. But I personally think there should be a middle ground. I love good traditional bourbon BUT I absolutely love a bourbon aged in a wine barrel or beer barrel. Whiskey making is an art. Grains are a master distiller’s paint. So, it’s really hard to put limitations on that.
What do you personally want to see more from the whiskey makers?
M: I LOVE trying new things. So, it’s been quite exciting see people think outside the box but at the same time don’t get TOO crazy. We need to stay true to what makes us love whiskey.
Maggie, we appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
M: I really appreciate you reaching out to me and I’m still shocked you wanted to interview me. I guess I should also mention that I have a Facebook group where people share their new purchases and notes. If you want to join just search Whiskey Buttercream Crew on Facebook. As always you can find me on Instagram at @whiskeyiseverything Thank you for having me!
