Around a year ago, we looked at what trends would dominate the spirits markets over the following 12 months. Well, we don't like to be the ones who say, "We told you so," …but, well, we told you so.

Sustainability

When you sit and enjoy your dram, do you ever think about how it was made? What materials were used? Where do those materials come from? What about the packaging? Is it peated? Whether these things do or do not cross your mind at the time of sipping, it's likely that even subconsciously, there is an element of curiosity, at least when considering your purchase.

For some people, how 'sustainable' a product is influences whether they buy or do not.

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But what is sustainability?

The answer to this very much depends on the industry or topic you are looking at, but let’s begin with a simple dictionary definition:

1 – capable of being sustained

2 – of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged

(Sourced: SUSTAINABLE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster )

The second part very much relates to whiskey production.

Other topics or 'words' linked to sustainability would include biodegradable, carbon footprint, eco-friendly, Fair-trade, B Corp, Net-zero, renewable energy…… and the list goes on.

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Is the whiskey industry becoming more sustainable?

The short answer is ‘Yes.’

Even if a distillery itself does not lean toward being more sustainable, some of the inputs into the production process will be, from how grain is grown to the transportation of products and the packaging of the final product.

Large and Artisan distilleries are making great strides in becoming more sustainable in their production practices, and we highlight some of that work below.

Frey Ranch

Frey Ranch has become renowned for its commitment to more sustainable production of its grains. The distillery has a farm that grows rye, barley, corn, and wheat. They have complete control over how the grain is produced and use minimal tilling (less soil disruption), overcropping, and crop rotation. While these sound 'technical,’ the results mean that nutrients are either returned to the soil and/or less are taken out. When using these techniques, the requirement for chemical input to control crops and disease is less to zero.

When mono-cropping occurs, soil nutrients are stripped over time, useful organisms are removed or die off, the soil becomes dead, and the requirement for chemical input increases.

Frey Ranch has also employed solar power for the distillery and farm, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and carbon footprint. Waste products like the mashed grains left over from the distillation process are also reused. The distillery converts the grain to feed for local cattle.

Of course, Frey Ranch is not the only distillery employing such a range of sustainable practices; in fact, most distilleries are doing something and constantly reviewing their practices.

(Source: Sustainable Spirits: Sustainable Spirits: How American Craft Whiskey Distilleries, like Frey Ranch, are Leading the Way in Environmental Stewardship – Blind Barrels

Barrel Global works with several distilleries, and we are pleased to say that our partners are strongly committed to sustainability.

Bardstown, based in Kentucky, recently completed a large expansion to the distillery, which, in addition to an increase in production capacity, has been focussed on raising the sustainability bar. The distillery now uses 30% less energy than in previous years and has created ways to repurpose wastewater. In fact, 90% of wastewater is used for cleaning, cooling, and irrigation.

With plans to add solar power and look at grain reuse and fertilization over the next three years, we can expect more sustainable advancement from Bardstown.

Laws Whiskey uses its 'Headwater' products to help raise awareness of sustainability, water health, and the conservation of Colorado's rivers. It also partners with local farms to supply grain. These partnerships not only support local farms and communities but also 'dig' a little deeper into the work around terroir and producing grain in a way that has less negative impact on the environment.

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Sustainability isn’t just about how natural resources are used and affected by production; it also encompasses people and the community. For example, Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, has undergone renovation and expansion over the last few years and has added 15+ jobs to the community.

Our next blog will look at innovations in building distilleries and how these promote positive, sustainable practices.

If you are interested in barrel ownership, please contact our team of barrel experts. They will walk you through our process and find the right barrel(s) for your portfolio.

Barrel Global is on a mission to make whiskey barrel ownership accessible to collectors worldwide. As the first-ever global marketplace for whiskey barrels, you can connect with distilleries and collectors worldwide to build your own portfolio. For a whiskey experience unlike any other, request access today by clicking here: Barrel Global

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Main pic credit: Noah Buscher via Unsplash

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