What is Scotch Whisky?
Many countries across the globe produce whisky. However, producing ‘Scotch’ is unique to Scotland. Scotch Whisky is distilled and matured in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years but can be matured for decades and in very rare cases for more than 80 years.
In Scotland, we’re proud to be home to over 150 whisky distilleries where many talented teams, dedicated to making a difference, produce our famous Scotch whisky.
Scotland’s whisky distilleries
Scotland’s national drink, whisky, has been produced across Scotland for centuries. Each distillery will create whisky with unique character that reflects the traditions and the landscape around them. Today, Scotland’s whisky distilleries are determined to nurture history whilst embracing new processes.
Scotland is committed to ambitious targets to be net zero by 2045. Here are some of the distilleries on a mission to become more sustainable. You might be surprised by their amazing innovations!
Credit: Scottish Enterprise
Bruichladdich Distillery
Located on the Scottish isle of Islay, Bruichladdich is a progressive Hebridean distillery. They are nonconformist and push boundaries to create positive change.
The distillery uses traditional methods in its production. Yet, it’s determined to modernise processes whilst nurturing its Victorian roots.
Bruichladdich Distillery has switched to 100% renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint. It is also on a mission to go further and decarbonise distilling operations by 2025.
In 2020, Bruichladdich was the first Scotch whisky and gin distillery in Europe to receive B Corp Certification. In 2023, it achieved recertification which demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. But Bruichladdich recognises that there’s still more to do.
With the support of its team, the distillery is committed to evolving processes and challenging the status quo to create a positive impact on its local community and beyond.
Find out more about sustainability at Bruichladdich
Arbikie Distillery
Arbikie is a family-owned working farm nestled on the east coast of Angus. In 2014, they opened the Arbikie Distillery to innovate traditional distilling processes.
Arbikie wants to become one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries. The distillery produces Scottish gin, vodka and whisky and as it creates everything on-site is seizing the opportunity to do things differently.
The distillery is reimagining ways to become more sustainable by growing its own juniper, using honey produced by the bees on its farm and recycling its primary waste products as cattle feed or using them as natural fertiliser.
Credit: Scottish Enterprise
But the work doesn’t stop there. Arbikie Distillery is exploring ways to further improve sustainability. The distillery has installed a one megawatt (MW) wind turbine, electrolyser, hydrogen storage and hydrogen boiler system as part of its goal to become the world’s first hydrogen-powered distillery.
Find out more about Arbikie’s sustainability journey
Ardnamurchan Distillery
Situated in the small village of Glenbeg, Ardnamurchan Distillery is rethinking sustainability in line with their commitment to making whisky in the most responsible way possible. In 2024, the distillery achieved ‘Global Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ award in the Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky awards.
One of the steps it has taken is to recycle the co-products of the whisky-making process. For example, the draff (spent grain) from the mashing process is used for animal feed for local farms.
As part of their sustainability journey, the power and heat for the distillery come from local renewables and in 2023, it installed 138 solar panels to help with energy usage.
The distillery is determined to continue evolving its processes and considering innovations to improve sustainability. It is currently installing a new wastewater treatment plant at the distillery with the aim of reducing tanker traffic and contributing to its responsible distilling philosophy.
Learn more about responsible distilling at Ardnamurchan Distillery
Glengoyne Distillery
Nestled in Dumgoyne, east of Loch Lomond, Glengoyne Distillery embraces practices developed over centuries but is also committed to protecting the environment.
Did you know Glengoyne was the first Scottish distillery to adopt a wetlands facility? The facility manages 100% of the liquid waste it doesn’t require which has cut waste by around 25%. Since then, the Glengoyne Wetlands has provided a home for local wildlife and over 14,000 plants.
To become more sustainable, the distillery has also reviewed its packaging. The collection is now 100% recyclable and uses locally sourced packaging. It has also removed all plastic, metals and magnets from its packaging as part of its commitment to building a more sustainable future.
Find out more about Glengoyne’s sustainability journey
Credit: VisitScotland/Paul Tomkins
Scottish Whisky
Innovative whisky distilleries like Bruichladdich, Arbikie, Glengoyne and Ardnamurchan are some of the companies paving the way for a more sustainable whisky industry whilst preserving our rich cultural heritage.
Are you interested in learning more? Find out about sustainability in the Scottish drinks industry at SDI and learn about innovation in Scotland
Find out more about our ambitions of Scotland going net zero.
*Header and listing image credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam.