Sustainability has been a buzzword for years, across every industry. Within the spirits realm, more and more brands are implementing practices at their distilleries to demonstrate how they’re thinking long-term about the environment and working to reverse the effects of climate change for future generations. While many brands have committed to recycling, composting, and eliminating single-use plastics, others have completely transformed how they are impacting the land and the environment, by adopting cutting-edge practices and installing groundbreaking equipment and technology at their distilleries.
Mijenta Tequila
In 2022, Altos Planos Inc.–whose distillery is based in Jalisco, Mexico–is the producer of award-winning, additive-free, and sustainable Mijenta Tequila, received a B Corp certification from the non-profit organization B Lab. It was the first ever Tequila producer to receive the recognition. From the brand labels that are made from recycled agave waste to becoming a fully carbon-neutral company, Mijenta is one of just over 8,000 certified B corps around the world.
Tasting Notes:
Mijenta Tequila Blanco: Aromatic, elegant and complex, with unfolding notes of cantaloupe, honey and cinnamon. An outstanding, generous and round finish. Rich flavors of cooked agave, vanilla, fresh fruit and spices such as cinnamon.
Mijenta Tequila Reposado: Aged up to 6 months in a blend of American white oak, French oak, and French acacia casks presenting a more mature and fuller expression with a long finish on the palate. Rich flavors of cooked agave, honey, vanilla with a mid-palate of cacao nibs. A long and generous finish on the palate.
Mijenta Tequila Anejo: Unparalleled ultra-premium tequila. Aged for approximately 18 months in 4 different oak barrels. Offers a more complex, intense, and exquisitely well-blended flavor profile. Smooth and velvety with an array of complex flavors ranging from dried fruits to spices and coffee.
Availability: Gall + Gall, Sip Tequila, Mijenta US Shop, Mijenta UK Shop
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Holistic Spirits Co.
Featuring two core spirits: Origen Specialty Vodka and Harmony Gin, Holistic Spirits Co. is the world’s first plant powered, holistic spirits company. Made in the US at a USDA green-certified distillery, the company’s zero-waste facility employs no-water-waste processes, thus using less water and recycling its by-products back into farming. Through its partnership with ForestPlanet.org, for every bottle of Harmony Gin or Origen Specialty Vodka that is sold, a tree is planted. In 2023, Holistic Spirits Co. was accepted into the prestigious Positive Luxury Accelerator Program – specifically within the Butterfly Accelerator Programme – to deliver real change to positively impact people and nature. The Positive Luxury Accelerator Program partners with young, sustainable brands that fit the framework of environmentally conscious, socially aware, and innovative companies.
Origen Speciality Vodka Tasting Notes: Origen Vodka is infused with a proprietary, natural blend of artichoke leaves, elderberries, green tea leaves, and muscadine grapes that result in zero sugar or artificial flavors and colors, and no GMOs.
Availability: Select retailers in California, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia, and is available online in most states at ReserveBar.com
Harmony Gin Tasting Notes: Harmony Gin is infused with a proprietary, natural blend of artichoke leaves, elderberries, green tea leaves, and muscadine grapes that result in zero sugar or artificial flavors and colors, and no GMOs. Harmony Gin also includes juniper berries, coriander seed, hyssop, lemon peel, lime peel, angelica root, and orris root.
Availability: Select retailers in California, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia, and is available online in most states at ReserveBar.com
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Slane Irish Whiskey
From energy conservation and recovery to increased biodiversity and water stewardship, Slane Distillery has pioneering eco-friendly practices at its state-of-the-art distillery in County Meath, Ireland. 100% of the raw barley used at Slane Distillery comes from the Slane Castle Estate, and the grain by-product from the distillation process is given to local farmers for cattle feed. A rain catchment system has also been implemented to collect and store rainwater from the roofs of all of the distillery buildings. This water is then treated and used in the production process of the whiskey, thus reducing the amount of water that is drawn from the nearby Boyne River. Taking it a step further, the visitor parking area incorporates permeable pavers that allow rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, reducing runoff and the chance of excess water flowing across the surface of the land–picking up litter, chemicals, fertilizers, and other toxic substances–and polluting into the nearby river.
Tasting Notes: Spicy at first, but quickly sweetened with rich caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch and a luxurious finish of dried fruit and caramelized sugar.
Availability: Available nationwide in liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.
Pod Pea Vodka
Pod Pea Vodka revolutionizes the vodka experience with its sustainable ethos and innovative approach. Crafted from 100% British peas grown seasonally at Somerleyton Farm in Suffolk, renowned for its regenerative agriculture practices, Pod Pea Vodka embodies both taste and sustainability. Its smooth and distinct flavor, reminiscent of fresh peas with hints of citrus and a silky finish, makes it ideal for a variety of cocktails. Pod Pea Vodka’s commitment to sustainability extends throughout its production process, from utilizing nitrogen-fixing peas to sourcing locally for all elements, including water, labels, and glass. Founder Becky Davies champions the brand’s eco-conscious vision, emphasizing the importance of protecting the planet while celebrating local British produce. With its planet-positive ethos and delicious taste, Pod Pea Vodka sets a new standard for environmentally conscious spirits.
Tasting Notes: Pod Pea Vodka boasts sweet, vegetal pea notes with a touch of citrus, a light savory tone, and a silky finish, making it perfect for both classic cocktails and innovative mixes.
Availability: Master of Malt, Selfridges, Tipples of Manchester, Corks of Cotham, Amazon and Booths.
Teremana Tequila
A small-batch, ultra-premium tequila founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Teremana Tequila takes sustainability seriously and works to reduce their impact on the land in every step of the production process. 100% of the leftover agave fibers from production are turned into natural compost that is used as a natural fertilizer in the agave fields. The brand also uses a state-of-the-art water filtration system that cleans the wastewater left over from production. It is of the utmost importance to Teremana to be safe keepers of the land and agave, and they’re continuing to invest in more sustainable practices in the construction of their new distillery.
Tasting Notes: Teremana Blanco has notes of bright, fresh citrus with roasted agave, tropical fruit and a hint of lemongrass, for a smooth, fresh finish; Teremana Reposado is rich with roasted agave, oak, vanilla, spices, and tropical fruit, for a smooth, rich finish; Teremana Añejo possesses rich, warm oak, vanilla, and roasted agave notes, followed by a lightly sweet and complex finish.
Availability: Available at liquor stores across the country as well as online retailers including Minibar, ReserveBar, and Instacart.
Other Notable Spirits Brands:
- Barr Hill Gin – This spirits brand annually hosts Bee’s Knees Week, a charitable initiative that celebrates The Bee’s Knees cocktail and underwrites habitat creation for endangered pollinators. At their state-of-the-art distillery in Montpelier, VT, the facility uses 100% solar power to completely offset the electricity needed to make their spirits, and they’ve also built an innovative thermal banking system that stores the excess heat from spirits production, which is then used to heat the distillery’s premises
- Novo Fogo Cachaça – Often known as “rum’s older Brazilian cousin,” Novo Fogo is committed to saving the threatened trees in Brazil’s rainforest. With several restoration initiatives in place, including working with forestry experts and implementing a rehab center on their property in Morretes, Brazil for threatened species of native trees, Novo Fogo is also working on becoming a carbon-negative company.
- Yoshino Spirits Co – Umiki is a one-of-a-kind, sustainably-minded Japanese whiskey that uses ocean water–rather than scarce pure mineral water–in its production process and ages its liquid in locally-grown Japanese pine barrels, instead of American or European oak barrels, which is commonly seen in the whiskey industry. By sourcing local ocean water and avoiding shipping barrels overseas, this spirits brand is steering clear of two of the non-eco-friendly aspects of the whiskey-making process.
