Bruichladdich Distillery has successfully retained the B Corp certification that it first gained in 2020, with an Impact Score 100.7, a 21 per cent increase on its 2020 certification score, which the distillery says showcases its dedication to continuous improvement.
Bruichladdich has long had a commitment to sustainability and its community and says its mission is to create the most thought provoking spirits it can whilst continuingly growing its commitment to people and the planet to ensure the business is a force for good.
Speaking about the distillery’s B Corp recertification, CEO Douglas Taylor said: “Since our resurrection in 2001 our purpose has always been bigger than making and selling single malt Scotch whisky and gin. From the moment we obtained our first Impact Score of 83.2 points we have been on what we’ve coined the ‘Road to 100’ – setting our sights on an ambitious three digit figure. This internal roadmap has forced us to take a comprehensive look at our social and environmental impact to ensure we’re making significant improvements.
“B Corp recertification is a rigorous process with every facet of the business scrutinised to ensure we are upholding the highest standards of social and environmental performance, and we’re immensely proud to have reached this goal. Bruichladdich is a Victorian distillery reimagined for the future, and it’s about preserving our rich history and tradition while making tangible progress.
“Our new Impact Score of 100.7 points is an incredible step forward. It’s a moment for us to celebrate where we are now but also acknowledge how much more we can do to drive change. We’re not resting on our laurels, and will continue to work to leave a lasting, positive legacy on Islay and beyond.”
With sustainability and community at the core of the distillery’s decision-making, the five categories of B Corp certification, Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, are also key pillars for Bruichladdich.
In the recertification Bruichladdich improved across multiple categories, with the biggest gains coming from Governance, with a score improvement of 110 per cent thanks to the distillery’s transparency and accountability across the business.
In the Community category, the business was assessed on the economic and social well-being of the communities in which it operates, improving its 2020 score by 66 per cent. Committed to keeping value in the local community and supporting the island economy by distilling, maturing, and bottling all single malts on Islay, Bruichladdich created 10 new roles within the three year period.
A clearer Environmental Management System and a new Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy saw the Environment score improve by 11 per cent, with the distillery making packaging improvements across the portfolio and using more sustainable materials.
Taylor said: “Becoming a B Corp in 2020 was validation for almost two decades of work, and our recertification is further testament to our values-driven vision. We are continually striving to do things better across every facet of the business – committed to making improvements for our team members, the wider Islay community, and the planet.”
The B Corp recertification follows the distillery’s biggest packaging overhaul to date, with the redesign of Bruichladdich’s signature Classic Laddie bottle reducing the single malt’s packaging CO2 emissions by 65 per cent.
With no secondary packaging, containing an average of 60 per cent recycled glass and coated in organic ink, the redesign is 32 per cent lighter compared to the previous bottle – reducing the brand’s global environmental impact with the ability to transport more bottles per pallet, meaning fewer distribution vehicles on the road.
The Shout will bring you more information about Bruichladdich, its commitment to sustainability and transparency, new packaging and of course the whisky itself in the new year after a chat with Global Brand Ambassador Abi Clephane.