The future is carbon neutral: our new distillery in Kentucky, USA

Our new whiskey distillery currently under construction in Lebanon, Kentucky, is breaking new ground.

It will be our first carbon neutral distillery and is expected to be one of the largest of its kind in North America – representing a key step on our decarbonisation journey.

Electrification of our operations

The site is expected to be up and running in 2021, with a team of 30 employees producing Bulleit and other bourbon and American whiskey brands at the 72,000 square-foot distillery and dry house and 12 barrel warehouses.

By using electrode boilers that employ 100% renewable electricity, the distillery will help us avoid more than 117,000 metric tonnes annually of direct and indirect carbon emissions – equivalent to taking more than 25,000 cars off the road for a year.

Stepping stone to a net-zero carbon business

Sourcing a mix of wind and solar energy, using electrode boilers, and capturing solar power on site for our external lighting all play a part in ensuring that no fossil fuels will be consumed in the production of bourbon and American whiskey at Lebanon.

It's a great example of the approach we're taking to decarbonisation worldwide. This year, we met our global target of halving our direct carbon emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) in absolute terms against a 2007 baseline and achieving a 30% reduction in our overall supply chain. As we look forward to 2030 and beyond, our carbon strategy will see us continue to find ways to reduce our reliance on the fossil fuels that contribute to climate change.