Whiskey 2025,sustainability Part 1.

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

In our previous article, we looked at sustainability from the point of view of what current distilleries are doing in-house to become more energy-efficient and reduce their environmental impact. Of course, these changes can be difficult in already established businesses. Changing equipment for something less damaging to the environment can be costly.

In this article, we will examine new innovations in distillery construction and how these promote positive, sustainable practices.

Traditionally, distilleries* have been built on a large footprint, with each part of the process in a different building or room.The bigger distilleries need far bigger spaces, and this results in the need for a larger space to produce whiskey.

*We haven't included artisan distilleries here, which have small output and are more community-based ventures. We are talking about the industry's 'big boys'.

Innovative ideas

In 2011, Mackmyra, a Swedish whisky company, completed the construction of a second distillery—the world’s first Gravity Distillery. At 7 stories high (35m tall), this new distillery and design produced whisky using 45% less energy than its original distillery. Unlike a 'horizontal' distillery, each process takes place on a different floor, working from the top down.

With this design, they saved on energy and used a far smaller ground footprint. They also added other climate-friendly processes to the overall production of the whisky. Firstly, all the ingredients for making whisky were sourced within 75 miles of the distillery (except yeast), and any peat used came from a local bog. The distillery is heated using an efficient biofuel system.

Sadly, Mackmyra went into administration in 2024, but that won't be the end of their stor(e)y. With so much interest in the distillery, it's sure to make a return at some point.

Following on from the success of this first 'gravity' powered system, Port of Leith Distillery in Edinburgh, Scotland, has also built a gravity distillery. They have also carefully considered where they source their barley and have created one of the shortest roundtrips from farm to production center in the UK. This reduces food miles and carbon footprint.

(Source:The Port Of Leith Distillery )

Currently under construction is Ardgowan distillery, aiming to be carbon neutral.

(Source: Ardgowan Distillery | Opening 2025 – Crafting Exceptional Whisky with Innovation & Tradition — Ardgowan Distillery )

So, what about the US?

In our previous article, we referred to Frey Ranch, Bardstown, and Laws Whiskey as either encompassing new techniques, builds, or gradual changes to their processes.  

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The new Heaven Hill Bernheim distillery boasts figures of 20,000 gallons of water saved per day using condensers for two stills on a cooling tower loop, only sourcing corn from a 100-mile radius of the distillery, and $2million for a system that converts by-products from the distillation process to feed for animals.

The company has also invested in 386+ Scholarships to sponsor logging training and help with sustainable forest management, particularly white oak, the wood used to make bourbon barrels.

( source: Heaven Hill Distillery | Sustainability)

Overall, sustainability and environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important in the normal day-to-day operations of producing whiskey, packaging whiskey, and even running tasting events.

Packaging

Whiskey is viewed as a premium product, and we expect it to come in aesthetically pleasing packaging to match our expectations. From the shape of the glass bottle to the layers of packaging in boxes and presentation cases, all of these impact carbon footprint.

Glass is heavy, and there is not currently enough recycled glass available to keep up with industry needs. However, Bruichladdie, an Islay distillery, has taken steps to address this. By removing external packaging and optimizing the bottle design, the overall unit is now 32% lighter. The recycled glass used is approximately 60% of the overall glass content. These small changes mean more bottles can be fitted onto a pallet for shipping, creating a reduction in Co2 emissions via transport.

Other packaging considerations include bottle protection, with companies moving away from plastic and towards recyclable paper and "wotsits" (packaging peanuts or void fill). The latter are water-soluble, compostable, and free from CFCs and HCFCs.

Even the ink used on boxes, can be changed to something like soy-based ink, and be more environmentally friendly.

In September 2024, Diageo began a 90% paper-based 'bottles' trial for Johnnie Walker Black Label 12yrs. The bottles create up to60% lighter overall product and 47% potential reductions in carbon emissions. In total, 250 bottles will be used in the trial. We await the results with interest!

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