Across the globe, spirits brands have reinterpreted the eco-friendly ethos with wildly different results. Some adhere to single-estate farming, making sure that every sprig of barley, juniper or agave is meticulously plucked from its own backyard. Others take a more holistic approach, using their platforms to uplift local voices and give back to grassroots organizing efforts.
In honor of Earth Day 2024, we’ve rounded up eight exceptional distillers who take the concept in new directions. Selections include whiskey, rum, gin, tequila, mezcal and more — hopefully, a little something for everybody.
Waterford Whisky
Ireland’s Waterford Whisky is the largest producer of organic and biodynamic whiskies worldwide. Headed up by Mark Reynier — who also oversees the equally fantastic Renegade Rum — Waterford distills its product exclusively from local barley, which it claims is “the most flavorsome cereal in the world.” The brand recently took its mission a step further with a custom “ TEIREOIR ” code on each bottle that allows drinkers to explore the spirit’s journey from farm to glass.
Waterford’s dedication to its craft shows. The distiller’s Waterford Cuvee, available for around $100, plays it up large with rich aromas of praline, caramel and sweet frosted flakes, followed by a dense palate full of orange peel, faint ash, buttercream and ginger.
If you’d like to learn more, find our expansive travel log from our trip to the Waterford Distillery here.
Brother’s Bond Whisky
Celebrity-owned spirits companies face a steep uphill battle in the court of public opinion when it comes to authenticity. Brother’s Bond Bourbon, founded in 2021 by “The Vampire Diaries” alumni Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, aims the shake up the narrative.
The brand has pledged 1% of all proceeds to regenerative farming practices and utilizes sustainable methods like crop cycling and low-till farming to maintain its grain. In keeping with its “Oath to The Earth,” Brother’s Bond aims to achieve carbon-negative status within the coming years.
The distiller’s flagship trio centers around a Straight Bourbon, Original Cask Strength Straight Bourbon and American Blended Rye priced between $40 and $100. If you don’t mind a little scorch, try seeking out the brand’s 57.04%-ABV Cask Strength expression, which dials up aromas of dried fruit and walnut balanced against nougat, cinnamon and rye spice flavors.
Gracias a Dios Mezcal
Unlike the majority of commercially available mezcals, which source their spirits from different distillers dotted throughout Mexico, Gracias a Dios is all made under the same roof in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca.
There, the brand collects nearly 180,000 liters of rainwater per year to make its award-winning recipes. Gracias a Dios is also involved in an oak and mesquite wood reforestation initiative as well as an agave bricks program, an increasingly popular upcycling method in which spent agave fibers are turned into construction bricks.
Like many of the best mezcal brands, Gracias a Dios’ catalog digs deep into the library of oft-overlooked agave varietals. Featured expressions include Cuishe, Mexicano, Tepeztate and an aged Espadin Reposado alongside an assortment of “Destilados con Frutas” made with pineapple, mango and prickly pear. For those looking for that distinctive mezcal smoke, we’d highly recommend the brand’s Tobala ($79), brimming with bright floral aromas and decadently sweet flavors of confectioners sugar, papaya and cream cheese frosting.
Mijenta Tequila
In 2022, Mijenta Director of Sustainability Elise Som successfully led the brand on its mission to become the world’s first B Corp-certified tequila. Since then, the brand has achieved full carbon neutrality, worked with indigenous groups in Ecuador to protect jaguar habitats and teamed up with the Women’s Earth Alliance to fund grassroots organizing throughout Mexico.
Behind the ethos lies some fantastic spirits. The brand’s flagship Blanco and Reposado have picked up traction among the additive-free tequila crowd thanks to a dedication to clean agave flavor and tropical fruit notes. Over the past year, the brand has also brought back its intricately barrel-aged Gran Reserva Añejo and ventured into the Cristalino category, both chock full of delicate greenery, lingering vanilla and Symhpony barrel notes. Prices range from $45 for Mijenta Blanco up to $200 for its Gran Reserva.
Two Drifters Rum
Similar to other sustainability-oriented spirits brands, Two Drifters has dedicated itself to reducing its carbon footprint. Unlike most, however, it claims to already have achieved carbon-negative status by removing 1 kilogram of CO2 from the environment for every bottle produced.
The British distillery was founded by husband and wife team Russ and Gemma Wakeham in 2019 — as the story goes, the couple enjoyed their first date at a rum tasting. Over the years, the imprint has come to market with a Signature Rum, Lightly Spiced Rum and Pure White Rum in addition to a 60%-ABV Overproof Spiced Pineapple Rum. If you’re hungering for a sweltering blast of tropical flavor, definitely check out that Spiced Pineapple expression.
Flor de Caña Rum
In 2023, Flor de Caña Rum earned distinction as the world’s first spirit to be both Carbon Neutral and Fair Trade certified. Introduced back in 1890, the Nicaraguan brand has amped up sustainability over the past decades by capturing and recycling all CO2 emissions from the fermentation process and planting over one million trees.
Playing up the regional influences, expressions like the 18-year and 15-year “Eco” are aged in ex-bourbon barrels sealed with plantain leaves. On the nose, expect aromas of brown sugar and crème brûlée followed by flavors of maple, honey, pepper and a distinct wallop of pipe tobacco. Priced at $65 and $45, respectively, these are affordable picks within the often expensive world of aged rums.
Purity Vodka & Gin
Purity’s vodka and gin range is distilled using organic grain produced by Lantmännen, a local farmer co-operative owned and operated by over 20,000 Swedish agriculturalists. All energy is produced from renewable sources — including the distillery’s 400 solar panels — and leftover mash is donated to local pigs for a hearty snack.
However, as with all spirits on this list, the real treat is within the liquor itself. Botanicals like basil, thyme and Nordic berries jostle for space within the brand’s Old Tom and London dry-style gins. We’re particular fans of the brand’s Navy Strength 34 ($35), which balances a scorching 57.1% ABV with distinct notes of angelica and dried green herbs. For the vodka-drinking crowd, consider checking out Purity’s Signature Edition expression and its Mediterranean Citrus Flavored counterpart.
Ramsbury Vodka & Gin
Within the vast 19,000 acres of Ramsbury Estates, England, you’ll find thick woodlands of Norway Spruce and Japanese Larch dotted alongside rivers brimming with otters, water voles and grey herons. Amid the greenery, you’ll also find the Ramsbury Distillery.
Opened in 2014, the distillery harvests the estate’s winter wheat to make a variety of gins and vodkas. Many of its spirits, like the recently introduced Raspberry & Wildflower Honey Gin , utilize locally sourced ingredients that build upon the brand’s closed-loop environmental model. Across the catalog, all spirits run the gamut of an affordable $30-$40. Those in search of something a little less boozy can also check out Ramsbury’s selection of beers like Belapur IPA and 506 Ale.
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Toast to Earth Day 2024 With These 8 Eco-Friendly Spirits Brands first appeared on
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