Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Littlemill Distillery, a name synonymous with innovation and tradition, has unveiled its latest release, in collaboration with our own Bethany Wood, who has created 250 bespoke Glass stoppers to commemorate Vanguards Chapter 2
The Vanguards Collection was created to celebrate Littlemill’s incredible legacy and the trailblazers who worked at its helm, a series of vanguards who innovated with technology and processes to leave an indelible mark on the whisky world.
The latest release will celebrate Jane MacGregor and the barriers Jane broke through on her path to success. Records suggest Jane Macgregor adopted the position of distillery manager in 1823, inheriting the role after the likely passing of her husband, and enlisting the support of her children to help ensure its smooth continuation. What is clear is Jane was, therefore, the first woman on record to manage a distillery of scale, but what’s more year on year production records show that she took Littlemill to new heights in production (indicative of strong sales and demand). For this reason, Jane is a pioneer not just for the distillery but arguably for women in the industry and beyond.
Her legacy has been immortalised through a new partnership with Blowfish Glass director and Glass Artist Bethany Wood, drawing inspiration from Jane’s story, Bethany has meticulously crafted 250 stunning glass bottle stoppers using tools from the same era as Jane. These stoppers are functional pieces and artistic representations of Jane’s journey.
Bethany skillfully creates the disk base using a foot tool—an implement historically employed by early glassmakers to produce wine glass feet. She then attaches coloured molten glass bubbles that, when exposed to the gas, develop beautiful metallic hues that echo the tumultuous landscape around the Littlemill distillery. The process doesn’t end there; the bubbles delicately bounce upon the disks, which is indicative of Bethany Wood’s unique way of manipulating glass. The top layer is intentionally smashed to reveal a mesmerising ripple effect produced by the bouncing connection.
Bethany draws inspiration from the world around her and skillfully manipulates molten glass, much like a painter uses a paintbrush. Through her various movements, she recreates the soothing movement of the tide, the rugged contours of mountainous hills, and the deep recesses of rolling valleys. This signature is particularly evident in her piece ‘Poseidon’, which is part of her Molten Landscape series.
The deliberate smashing effect utilised in these bespoke stoppers is a poignant metaphor for Jane MacGregor’s groundbreaking achievements, symbolising the glass ceilings she shattered throughout her career. By using traditional glassmaking techniques and tools, Bethany honours Jane’s legacy and bridges a connection to historical craftsmanship. This collaboration between Jane’s enduring legacy and Bethany’s artistic expertise creates a powerful narrative of perseverance, innovation, and triumph over adversity.
You can take a front-row seat to this fascinating making process by watching the film below:
Each stopper, no two alike, incorporates striking ripples and metallic hues inspired by Littlemill’s copper stills and the Scottish water, which plays an integral role in whisky making. It is presented in the door of a luxurious wooden display cabinet, carefully integrated into the design to be viewed from the outside or displayed on the inside.
Founded in 1772 in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Littlemill was at the forefront of innovation. It closed in 1994 before it was lost to a fire in 2004. Since then, Master Blender Michael Henry has held guardianship of the last remaining casks.
Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, owners of Littlemill, said:
“A remarkable story of innovation occurred between Littlemill’s founding and its lamentable closure. It is one known only by those most deeply researched in the space, but its legacy stretches across the world of whisky. The most fascinating part is the stories of the people we know who quietly overturned traditions, shaping the distillery for what it would become.”
Bethany Wood, owner of Blowfish Glass, added:
“There are so many wonderful parallels between our two crafts. Steeped in tradition, I see glassmaking as a performance that has been very carefully planned – whisky has the same requirements in artistry, precision and patience. Both art forms rely on the craftsmanship of people, and I love that our creative interpretations make each output unique every time.
“Being a female in a traditional trade, I was inspired by Jane’s story and the ceilings she broke through for her era. This, paired with a new affection for Scotland’s west coast and all its beauty, gave me the vision to craft these beautiful stoppers, which will make a wonderful addition to this truly incredible whisky release.”
Bottled at a cask strength of 44.9% ABV and natural colour, only 250 individually numbered bottles are available worldwide, priced at £14,500.
