Producing sustainable Irish whiskey is important to us and our mission at Malones. Cutting down on water usage, supporting grain growth and reducing waste are just some of the ways we can keep the environment at the forefront of our process. Looking back to the first golden age of Irish whiskey in the 19th century when 88 distilleries operated in the Emerald Isle, you would undoubtably see whiskey production that was routed in respect for the land. Now we have officially entered the second golden age of Irish whiskey, and in these exciting times of Irish whiskey growth, respect for the land must be applied again to whiskey production. Coinciding with the Irish Whiskey Association’s ongoing campaign to highlight the sustainable credentials of the Irish whiskey industry, this article highlights some key sustainable practices involved in the making of Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey.
Irish whiskey, like any new product, should now be produced with sustainability in mind in order to protect our planet for future generations. An eco friendly distilling process is essential, while it is also important to be clear and transparent about what is being done to help whiskey consumers make educated choices and prevent greenwashing. Organisations such as Planet of Plenty help guide distilleries towards more sustainable practices, while certifications such as Origin Green Ireland play a big part in identifying distilleries' eco friendly credentials. Origin Green is Ireland’s pioneering industry-wide food and drink sustainability programme, which enables the industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that respect the environment and serve local communities. Planet of Plenty is a collective that works together for the adoption of sustainable technologies, ideas and practices in agriculture. Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey is produced at a member distillery of both Origin Green Ireland and Planet of Plenty, ensuring that all elements of the production process are certified sustainable.
Whiskey production can involve transporting large quantities of grain, but why use grain from miles away when it can be grown on local soil? More and more Irish distilleries are taking advantage of the adaptability of grain, since it can be grown in almost any climate. Growing your own can lead to the introduction of new local eco-systems, it’s good for wildlife and reduces transport emissions. Malones Irish Whiskey is produced from grain that’s grown on the same site as the distillery that makes it, in a field that’s also home to beehives and wildflower pollinator strips. Reducing waste is essential, therefore the spent grain by-product that is left after distillation is given to a local farm to feed the animals, meaning the grain is truly circular. Aside from being the responsible option, using locally grown grain makes Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey all the more authentic and delicious. And the disadvantages to grain grown locally? Well, it seems there are none!
Once the whiskey has been sustainably produced, it’s time for packaging. The range of eco friendly packaging available is bigger than you might think. There are of course recyclable materials that can be discarded into home recycling after use. But more can be done to ensure packaging is as sustainable as possible, such as ensuring all cardboard and paper is FSC certified. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an organisation which endorses responsible forestry. There are also PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials to consider, which are materials that have been remade from the waste that people recycle at home. Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey comes in 100% recyclable glass bottles that are made from 25% recycled glass. The eco friendly packaging consists of cardboard and labels that are FSC certified, as well as using cardboard that is 100% post-consumer recycled.
With consumer preference quite rightly leaning towards eco friendly products, it has never been more important to look at whiskey production with environmentally conscious eyes. Take a look at Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey’s Sustainability Statement to see what we're doing to make the whiskey production process as eco friendly as possible.