Helen Mulholland

A ground-breaking force in Irish Whiskey, Helen Mulholland is one of the world’s most respected Master Blenders. The first woman in Irish Whiskey history to hold the title of Master Blender, she is also the first female inductee into the Whisky Magazine International Hall of Fame and the first woman to receive the Irish Whiskey Association Chairman’s Award for outstanding contribution to the industry. Today, Helen serves as Master Blender for Sazerac of Ireland and brings her extraordinary expertise to The Last Drop Distillers Assembly.

Helen’s career spans more than three decades, during which she has helped shape the modern landscape of Irish Whiskey. She began at the historic Bushmills Distillery, where she spent nearly 30 years and ultimately became Master Blender. During her tenure, she crafted a series of acclaimed single malts and premium blends, contributing meaningfully to the global renaissance and elevation of the Irish Whiskey category.

Her relationship with The Last Drop began in 2023 with Release No. 32: a 32-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey created in collaboration with Louise McGuane of JJ Corry. Working closely with Rebecca Jago and Louise, Helen guided the creation of The Last Drop’s first-ever Irish Whiskey release, an important milestone for the company and a reflection of her rare craft and instinct.

In 2024, Helen formally joined The Assembly. A master of her craft with an exceptional palate and a deep passion for the pursuit of “the remarkable,” Helen brings invaluable insight, character, and warmth to the group, and to every drop she touches.