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Sustainability
Our water
Our connection to the land runs deep and strong. Islay's rich in natural environment is elemental in crafting Bowmore whisky's complex and unmistakable persona. We take our water from a lade which runs seven miles into the village from the River Laggan. And while rainfall
is often abundant in the Atlantic's wild western edges, during the summer months our water supply occasionally runs low.
In creating our whisky, we advocate for nature. We have recently
re-engineered parts of our near 250-year-old site, taking great care replacing historic equipment like-with-like. Our aim was to reduce
the water volume necessary to recycle heat around our distillery.
Early results of the introduction of our closed loop system show
a water reduction of around three-quarters, and an energy reduction. This means less water removed from our natural ecosystems, and a lower carbon footprint.
Our barley
Creating our single malt whisky demands that amost 6,000 tons of barley are delivered to our Islay distillery each year. We work tirelessly to ensure that it is sourced responsibly, sustainably, and that the minimum possible waste is incurred during production.
Working closely with our sole barley supplier, we are developing new ways to ensure even greater transparency and traceability in our supply. This includes engaging farmers in the process, sharing with them our sustainability ambitions, and exploring how they can play an active role in helping ensure we achieve them.
We have also been trialing innovative agricultural methods to help reduce carbon, improve soil quality, reduce synthetic inputs, and introduce cover crops. Naturally, as the trials progress, we regularly conduct small-scale tests in the distillery to ensure our absolute commitment to quality, and the experience of our customers, is upheld.
Our peat
At Bowmore, peat is integral to our process, elemental to our signature taste, and a thread connecting generations of distillers. With no direct alternative to peat, we are committed to the replenishment of this important resource.
Whilst Scotch whisky represents an extremely modest portion of the UK's overall peat use, we recognize and celebrate peatland ecosystems, and their importance to Scotland's environment. We work alongside key research institutions to maximize efficiency within the malting process, ensure responsible extraction to the highest possible standards, and actively advance peatland restoration and stewardship across Scotland.
In 2021 Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Holdings launched the Peatland Water Sanctuary™ initiative, dedicating over $4 million to the conservation and restoration of peatlands and natural watersheds across Scotland.
