11 Ways Distilleries Are Becoming More Sustainable, According To Industry Experts

All good things have a cost, and that includes our favorite spirits. Unfortunately, when it comes to alcohol? Our planet may pay the biggest price of all. Between procuring the necessary ingredients and materials, production, and transportation, distilleries tend to create a hefty carbon footprint. In 2012, a Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) study found that producing a single 750-milliliter bottle created more than 6 pounds of CO₂ equivalents on average (or greenhouse gases capable of contributing to global warming).

Now, while many distilleries face similar sustainability challenges found in other industries, there's a growing trend in the spirits industry to embrace production methods and processes that reduce waste, pollution, and overall carbon emissions. This includes sustainable spirits brands sold in stores across the U.S., as well as a general shift in business practices and production techniques designed to lower the emission of CO₂ equivalents.

To gain insight into what distilleries are doing to become more sustainable and less environmentally detrimental, we turned to industry experts: Cameron Mackenzie, the co-founder and head distiller of Australian distillery Four Pillars Gin (where I previously worked); Allison Evanow, the founder and CEO of Square One Organic Spirits; and the brand director of Tequila Cazadores, Jay Needham. After speaking with each industry insider and researching the current industry landscape, we can paint a clearer picture of the positive leaps taken by distilleries to improve sustainability. Here are 11 ways distilleries are becoming more sustainable, according to experts.

While some confusion exists surrounding the difference between natural and organic foods, it's common practice for many to seek whole, unadulterated, additive-free groceries for personal consumption. It stands to reason, then, this same approach should apply to the ingredients that go into our spirits. Now, for bigger distilleries, sourcing ingredients in large quantities can make it harder (if not impossible) to work closely with local farmers. However, seeking out certified suppliers is still feasible and can be a great strategy.

Tequila Cazadores, for instance, pays close attention to how its agave is harvested. As the company's brand director Jay Needham told Tasting Table, "We need to make sure their agave is grown in a sustainable way in order not to damage the soil nor the aquifer system." Another distillery known to use ingredients free of harmful chemicals and synthetic fertilizers is Bainbridge Organic Distillers, which reduces the risk of harmful pollutants entering water sources and soils near the distillery.

Whether a distillery sources grains, agave, botanicals, or fruit for its production process, it can make sustainable decisions that support the environment — particularly if it hopes for liquors like American whiskey to have a more sustainable future. Plus, as demonstrated by sustainable distillery Frey Ranch debuting a single-malt smoked American whiskey in 2023 made with ingredients wholly free of harmful chemicals? It's more than possible for sustainability and success to go hand in hand.

In recent years, there's been a lot of hype surrounding the environmental cost of transportation — specifically, how much this contributes to CO₂ emissions. But this doesn't merely relate to personal car rides or vacation flights. In fact, one of the biggest reasons for distilleries' immense carbon footprint is the transportation required to source ingredients for production, as well as materials needed for packaging (such as glass).

Now, to reduce carbon emissions related to transportation, some distilleries produce ingredients and materials internally. For example, the Scottish gin producer Arbike Distillery grows its own juniper to cut back on the impact of shipping. Meanwhile, Square One Organic Spirits only sources ingredients grown within 750 miles of its partner distillery in Idaho — a far shorter distance compared to products purchased across the country or imported from the U.K.

As Square One Organic Spirits CEO Allison Evanow explained, "Working with farms within a limited radius to source grain reduces the overall carbon footprint of shipping and supports local farmers." Perhaps inspired by its fellow distilleries, famed Scottish distillery Bruichladdich has plans to move its malting operations onto its native Islay and away from the Scottish mainland — thus reducing hauling distances and any related CO₂ emissions.

Food has had a bit of a head start when it comes to sustainability. Consequently, there's plenty of available evidence to demonstrate that sustainability-motivated business practices are possible when it comes to packaging — like the fact that packaged meals aren't always worse for the environment. Now, according to a 2012 BIER study, a glass bottle was responsible for up to 20% of an alcoholic product's carbon footprint. Since that time, though, numerous distilleries have focused on cuts, swaps, and complete re-imaginings of packaging techniques to reduce the negative environmental impact.

For instance, Bruichladdich claims to have cut 65% of its packaging's carbon emissions by redesigning its bottle. The refurbished bottle is made with 60% recycled glass and is 32% lighter than its previous bottle. Meanwhile, the English distillery Gin Kitchen has done away with glass altogether and opts for eye-catching white porcelain bottles with biodegradable wood stoppers instead. Since this makes the bottle reusable, the distillery offers a discount on refills for returning customers. Gin Kitchen also uses recyclable cardboard boxes with paper-based tape to further reduce its environmental impact.

Some distilleries have altered the composition of labels, as well. Square One Organic Spirits uses FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified papers for its labels to verify the viability for recycling. Additionally, the rum distillery Two Drifters uses labels made almost entirely from sugarcane fibre that's been repurposed from waste.

The primary motivation for distilleries to become more sustainable isn't necessarily a desire to look good (though that's always a possibility!). Still, a business can help cement these practices by publicly declaring its sustainability goals. Eco buzzwords can be effective, but to use another cliché: actions speak louder than words. When a distillery is transparent about its sustainability goals, metrics, and achievements, it helps conscientious consumers find products that are genuinely better for the planet — which, in turn, promotes sustainability across the industry.

One distillery that offers total transparency is Two Drifters. Its entire sustainability report is available online and provides detailed insight into its practices for interested customers. This is how a distillery puts its money where its mouth is and shows it takes sustainability seriously. Sharing sustainability timelines is also important for distilleries, as it allows these businesses to describe an action plan and garner support when pursuing more environmentally friendly processes.

For example, Bruichladdich proudly shares its goal of completely decarbonizing its production alongside actionable steps to reduce waste, emissions, and local environmental impact. Tequila Cazadores has also shared its goal of ensuring all blue weber agave it uses is certified as sourced sustainably by 2025. Simply put, sharing sustainability goals creates accountability for distilleries and generates consumer passion for products that meet their standards.

As previously noted, one way to reduce emissions during the distillation process is to get creative with the fuel that powers your stills. While some distilleries have achieved or approached carbon neutrality by choosing renewable energy suppliers, Tequila Cazadores actually supplies its own renewable energy source.

Brand director Jay Needham explained the distillery's ingenious process to Tasting Table. "At our distillery, the leftover agave fibers that do not contain sugar are converted into biofuel which powers the biomass boilers used during the extraction, cooking, and distillation processes." This biomass boiler can reduce greenhouse emissions by 80% when compared to the emissions produced by traditional fossil fuels like diesel and gasoline. Even the ashes produced by the boiler serve a purpose and are used as a potent fertilizer in compost.

Around 60% of the biomass that fuels the distillery's boiler comes from spent agave fibers. The rest is comprised of waste wood, biomass briquettes, and other combustible yet renewable waste products like tree cuttings and coconut shells. With thousands of tons of biowaste repurposed as fuel by Tequila Cazadores every year, the distillery is fully committed to sustainability — and could teach a thing or two to other distilleries.