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Culture

SUSTAINABLE SIPPING

These days we’re cutting back on meat, asking what chemicals and pesticides were used to grow those out-of-season tomatoes and researching whether the salmon on our plate is overfished. Yet how often do we pause to consider whether the whiskey in our Old Fashioned is environmentally friendly? Here, we look at trailblazers Midleton Whiskey who are leading the way in sustainably produced spirits. Plus, we get an exclusive peek into the world’s first Midleton Craft Collection Whiskey Store which has just opened in Brown Thomas Dublin.

There’s no getting around it, from elaborate packaging to the vast amounts of water used, and the heat and energy required for the brewing and distillation process, the drinks industry has a detrimental impact on our environment. According to a report by the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, the average 750ml bottle produced more than six pounds of CO2 - that’s the equivalent to a seven-mile car journey.

That said, there are a number of producers now making sustainable strides to become even more eco-friendly. One such distillery is Irish Distillers. Ireland’s leading supplies of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys (think Jameson, Redbreast, Powers and Midleton) are leading the way in sustainably produced spirits. Since 2010, Irish Distillers has invested over €100 million to improve efficiencies and reduce the environmental impact at their 45-hectare site at the Midleton distillery. Subsequently, there has been a 30% reduction in energy; a 33% reduction in water; zero waste to landfill; a 46% reduction in carbon emissions and electricity is now sourced from 100% renewable sources. What’s more, in 2014, Midleton distillery completed a major upgrade of their wastewater treatment plant which treats water used in various elements of the production process. This upgrade in the plant has resulted in improvements in the consistency and efficiency of wastewater treatment: polished wastewater is returned into the environment meeting all inland fisheries, Irish Water and EPA related discharge quality standards. Outside of the distillery, efforts don’t stop there with Midleton’s offices achieving a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) energy rating in 2019.

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Pictured above is the grounds of Midleton Distillery in County Cork.

Every bottle of whiskey produced at Midleton Distillery is made using each of the sustainable practices above. But pushing the boundaries out even further, Midleton Dair Ghaelach can be traced right back to the very oak trees that helped to create its refined and unmistakable taste. The whiskey was matured in barrels made from virgin Irish oak from various forests across Ireland. The oak used in these barrels were sourced in a sustainable way and made to be viable for the long term.

At the core of everything we do is a passion for our craft and an ambition to create drinks that can be enjoyed the world over. None of this is possible if we don’t protect the environment and communities from which we have grown.

Conor McQuaid, CEO, Irish Distillers.

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Midleton casks during their maturing process.

And as for where you can shop these sustainably produced bottles, the world’s first Midleton Craft Collection Whiskey Store has just opened in Brown Thomas Dublin. A dedicated space housing Irish Distillers’ collection of premium Irish whiskeys, this luxurious boutique offers connoisseurs and collectors a unique opportunity to explore, taste and purchase some of the finest and most covetable Irish whiskeys available. What makes this pop-up all the more exciting is the fact that it will make the very first bottle of Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Two to go on sale in Ireland.

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The very first bottle of Midleton Very Rare, located on Level 3 of Brown Thomas Dublin.

Also waiting to be discovered in the Midleton Craft Collection Whiskey Store is an extensive range of Irish Distillers’ premium whiskeys, including treasures such as Midleton Dair Ghaelach Knockrath Forest Trees 1-7, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, the experimental Method and Madness collection, renowned single pot still expressions such as Powers John’s Lane, and the beloved Jameson Irish Whiskey. Located on level 3 at Brown Thomas Dublin, the pop-up will host in-store tastings and even give customers the opportunity to have their bottles engraved in-store.

Polish off your finest crystal tumblers and get ready to indulge in a unique tasting experience, this is one event not to be missed.

Can't make it into our store? No problem, shop Midleton Whiskey online:

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