Cape Byron Distillery is Sustainable Distillery of the Year

Cape Byron Distillery, producer of Brookie’s Byron Gin, has been named international Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the recent Icons of Gin awards 2020 in London. Icons of Gin celebrates global gin producers, bars and retailers who are taking the industry to another level, with the top spots awarded to those showing particular dedication and drive.

Cape Byron Distillery Co-founder and CEO Eddie Brook said, “We were absolutely stoked to hear the news! We have picked up a few awards along our journey; however, the Icons of Gin’s ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ holds an extremely special place in our hearts.

“Sustainability and having a positive impact on our environment flows through our family and the company’s veins, and is implemented in every part of our business, hence why the team was so excited to receive this award.”

The company’s Sustainability Officer, Alex McManus, added, “The distillery has achieved some amazing milestones on our sustainability journey. All 25 botanicals along with the spent wash from gin and whisky production are composted onsite in a closed-loop system. This not only reduces our waste to landfill, but once complete, is used to build soil structure and biodiversity throughout our regenerated rainforest and macadamia orchard.

“In addition, we have also diverted over 120 kg of soft plastics from landfill over the last four months. Sustainability is an ever-evolving process to improve our impact on the environment and our community. Within the next 12 months we have projects to implement solar power for over 90% of our energy needs, implement innovative heat recovery solutions, a new eco-storage whisky warehouse and we are also on the exciting journey towards B-Corp certification.”

The farm is a thriving ecosystem due to the family’s regeneration effort over the last 30 years, planting over 35,000 native subtropical rainforest trees. The distillery, perched in the heart of the farm, offers a unique experience for visitors to the region, providing a guided tour of the rainforest, an expertly led tasting of their spirits inspired by the Big Scrub and an insight into the art of distillation. The tour aims to educate visitors on the importance of the Big Scrub rainforest, the journey of rainforest regeneration and the vast array of indigenous rainforest foods that are grown in the Northern Rivers.

“If we can build a thriving business and produce exceptional spirits whilst having a positive impact on the community and environment, then we can hold our heads up high,” Brook said.