As Global Rollout Continues, ecoSPIRITS Appoints Executive Board Chair and Chief Operating Officer
SINGAPORE 21 February 2022 ecoSPIRITS announced today the appointments of Sui Ling Cheah to the role of Executive Board Chair and Anand Subramanian to the role of Chief Operating Officer. The appointments bolster ecoSPIRITS’ leadership team and governance as it navigates both a period of extraordinary global growth and the next phase of development of its closed loop technology. Together, Ms. Cheah and Mr. Subramanian bring more than 40 years of experience in strategy, investment banking, private equity, venture capital and governance to the ecoSPIRITS mission. Both of the new roles will be based in ecoSPIRITS’ Singapore headquarters.
In the newly-created role of Executive Board Chair, Ms. Cheah will lead the ecoSPIRITS board, oversee the company’s governance, and assist the CEO in setting the company’s overall strategy and direction. Ms. Cheah brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, primarily in investment banking, technology company advisory and board governance. In addition to her role at ecoSPIRITS, Ms. Cheah is an Operating Partner at Wavemaker Partners, a leading early stage venture fund. She previously spent more than 20 years in investment banking, including time at Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan and BNP Paribas. Ms. Cheah also holds independent board positions in several publicly listed companies in industries spanning hospitality, healthcare and telecommunications.
“ecoSPIRITS has developed into one of the most exciting companies in the Wavemaker Partners portfolio, having the potential to change the way the spirits industry operates. The world has to get serious about climate change. I believe we can play a part by backing companies with transformative environmental impact and innovative and capital efficient business models. I look forward to working closely with our board members and management team as ecoSPIRITS moves forward on its mission to transition the spirits industry to circular packaging technology.”
In addition to the new Executive Board Chair, ecoSPIRITS has appointed Anand Subramanian to the newly-created role of Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mr. Subramanian will oversee the company’s board and investor relations as well as the finance, talent and strategy functions. He brings experience in strategy, investment banking, private equity and venture capital to ecoSPIRITS. Mr. Subramanian joins from Comcast NBC Universal, where he was Head of Strategy & Business Development in Asia Pacific. He previously spent thirteen years in investment banking and private equity and growth company investing, most recently with Fullerton Financial Holdings and J.P. Morgan.
“I joined ecoSPIRITS because I believe that sustainability should become an integral part of our day-to-day lives. I am excited to join the mission of ending single glass use and at the same time creating a scalable, sustainable and profitable business. As a circular economy technology company, we are truly at the centre of revolutionising the spirits industry by combining economic and social benefits for the entire ecosystem from brands, distributors, retail outlets and eventually the end consumer.”
Both of the new leadership roles will be based in ecoSPIRITS’ headquarters in Singapore, allowing ecoSPIRITS CEO Paul Gabie to spend time across the company’s Miami, London and Singapore offices to better support a growing global network of ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operators and Climate Partners.
“2021 was a remarkable year for spirits and the circular economy. ecoSPIRITS is now licensed in 18 countries worldwide, including many of the largest consumer markets. The future of circular spirits is bright; yet, delivering closed loop service at global scale presents complex challenges. Having worked closely with Sui Ling as a board member, I am delighted to welcome her to a formal role on the leadership team. Anand brings the strategy and financial acumen ecoSPIRITS requires to continue to develop cutting-edge solutions for circular at global scale. I could not be more excited about the impact these two appointments will have on ecoSPIRITS’ development in 2022 and beyond.”
About Sui Ling Cheah
Sui Ling Cheah is Operating Partner at Wavemaker, a B2B and deep tech focused early stage venture capital fund where she is responsible for helping the mature companies in Wavemaker’s portfolio with business development, follow-on financing and eventual exits. Prior to joining the venture capital industry, she spent 20 years in investment banking raising capital for high growth companies and executing cross-border M&A. Her last investment banking role was as the Co-Head of Corporate Finance of SEA at BNP Paribas. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of Investment Banking at JP Morgan Singapore. Sui Ling started her career with Merrill Lynch New York followed by stints in Singapore and London. Sui Ling is currently also a board director of several publicly-listed companies such as CDL Hospitality REIT, Parkway Life REIT and Telechoice International. Born in Malaysia, she graduated from Wellesley College in the United States with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Economics.
For more information, please visit LinkedIn
About Anand Subramanian
Anand Subramanian has over 16 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, and investment banking. Prior to joining ecoSPIRITS, Anand was the Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development APAC at Comcast NBCUniversal where he oversaw the go-to-market strategy for NBCUniversal in Asia Pacific across both linear and digital assets. Previously, Anand was Vice President of Investments at Fullerton Financial Holdings, Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, overlooking fintech and financial services investments across South & South East Asia. Anand spent close to 10 years at J.P. Morgan, Singapore, where was an Executive Director, Investment Banking overseeing all facets of IB including capital markets and M&A. He was also the Head of Junior Resources. Born in India, Anand graduated from Symbiosis Center for Management and Human Resource Development with an MBA in Finance & Marketing and from Delhi University with a Bachelor in Commerce.
For more information, please visit LinkedIn
Closed Loop Service Commences in Cambodia With Rosewood Phnom Penh & Samai Rum
PHNOM PENH 12 January 2022 ecoSPIRITS is celebrating the launch of its inaugural closed loop service in Cambodia with one of the country’s leading luxury hotels, Rosewood Phnom Penh, and local ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner, Samai Rum. To mark the launch of ecoSPIRITS Cambodia, Sora Sky Bar at Rosewood Phnom Penh has created the Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail – the first in Cambodia to feature the ecoSPIRITS technology – to showcase a uniquely Cambodian spirit alongside sustainable local flavours and ingredients. For every Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail served through April 2022 at the hotel, one tree will be planted under the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program.
The Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail by Sora Sky Bar at Rosewood Phnom Penh
Rosewood Phnom Penh, the latest property from Rosewood Hotels and Resorts to collaborate with ecoSPIRITS, is an ultra-luxury hotel located in the heart of the Cambodian capital. Soaring 188 metres above Phnom Penh, the hotel occupies the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower, the city’s most iconic modern structure and a symbol of the new Cambodia. With unobstructed views of the fabled Mekong River, the hotel is home to six restaurants and lounges. Sora Sky Bar, the hotel’s flagship rooftop bar, is one of the country’s most acclaimed beverage venues, offering an expansive whisky collection, carefully curated cocktails and a spectacular view.
“We are proud to be the first hotel in Cambodia to partner with ecoSPIRITS. This exciting collaboration enables Rosewood Phnom Penh to deepen its commitment to sustainability while showcasing Cambodia’s incredible flavours and scenery from Phnom Penh’s highest bar. Featuring made-in-Cambodia rums and local Khmer ingredients, Sora Sky Bar’s limited-edition Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail embodies our Sense of Place® philosophy and serves as living proof that high-quality, delicious, sustainable cocktails are the future.”
Sora Sky Bar Manager, Udom Chhoun, created the Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail to honour the hotel’s new partnership with ecoSPIRITS. Inspired by a traditional Khmer snack from Kampot, Cambodia, the unique cocktail stars hand-crafted, aromatic Samai Kampot Pepper and Gold rums from Samai Distillery, the country’s first and only premium rum producer. Both rums are delivered to the hotel in low-waste ecoTOTE™ format, infused with coconut meat, then mixed with Mancino Bianco vermouth, fresh lemon juice, and egg whites. As a finishing touch, the cocktail is garnished with toasted black sesame and dried coconut for a silky, elegant tipple bursting with Khmer flavours.
As Samai Distillery transitions to ecoTOTE™ format for the distribution of its award-winning rums in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and other cities across the country, it is set to become the most sustainable spirit producer in the Cambodian market. The move to closed-loop packaging technology will dramatically reduce the distillery’s import of glass bottles from Europe and eliminate single-use paper labels, stoppers and cartons. Overall, the ecoSPIRITS system will now eliminate an estimated 91% of the carbon footprint associated with the packaging and distribution of Samai Rum in Phnom Penh, or the equivalent of 830g of CO2e per bottle. To further the positive impact of the collaboration, ecoSPIRITS and Samai Distillery are planting one native tree in the Rosewood Phnom Penh forest under the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program for each Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail served.
“At Samai we are proud to be leading this revolution bringing sustainability to the alcohol industry in Cambodia. And we hope this collaboration with ecoSPIRITS can inspire others to reduce their own carbon footprint. Launching the ecoSPIRITS collaboration with Rosewood Phnom Penh was only fitting based on their proven commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by their launch of a new signature sustainable cocktail. This is only the beginning of a journey we hope to share with other brands and venues in the coming months and years.”
Samai White, Gold and Kampot Pepper Rums are now available across Cambodia in ecoTOTE™ format from ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner distributor, Moonshine Cambodia. For more information, please contact order@moonhine.asia. For a booking at the Sora Bar to enjoy the Nom Slek Chak Sustainable Cocktail, please contact phnompenh@rosewoodhotels.com. You can also follow Rosewood Phnom Penh on Instagram @rosewoodphnompenh
About Rosewood Phnom Penh
Rosewood Phnom Penh presents an ultra-luxury hospitality experience in the Cambodian capital. The hotel is located on the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower in the central business district, with unobstructed views of the city and the fabled Mekong River from its position within the tallest building in the capital. Rosewood Phnom Penh embraces the Rosewood brand’s A Sense of Place®️ philosophy and reflects the location’s history, culture and sensibilities. It features 175 rooms and suites; six restaurants and lounges, including Sora, a sky bar on a cantilevered terrace; Sense, a Rosewood Spa; a fitness center; a 22-meter indoor lap swimming pool; and meeting facilities that include The Pavilion residential-style meeting and function space.
For more information or reservations, please contact phnompenh@rosewoodhotels.com or +855 23 936 888
For more information, please visit: rosewoodhotels.com/en/phnom-penh
Connect with us: Facebook, Instagram @rosewoodphnompenh
About Samai Distillery
Samai Distillery was founded in 2014 in Phnom Penh and is regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s pioneering craft distilleries. As Cambodia’s first and only premium rum producer, the Samai team produce hand-crafted, premium rums using high-quality, locally grown ingredients and a process that pays tribute to age-old rum making traditions. Complex and full of character, Samai rums reflect the unique Cambodian terroir. With four premium products in its portfolio, Samai rums are distributed in France, Singapore, Spain, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Korea, with more countries to come. If you happen to be in Cambodia, don’t miss a chance to try the rums and exclusive cocktails at the bar inside the distillery, or book your private tour.
For more information, please visit: https://www.samaidistillery.com/
ecoSPIRITS Will Launch in India, Bringing Low Waste Spirits to One of the World’s Fastest Growing Consumer Economies
MUMBAI 15 November 2021 – ecoSPIRITS announced that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement for India with Third Eye Distillery, a leading local craft spirits producer known for their award-winning Stranger & Sons Gin. The parties will launch closed loop service progressively across the country in 2022, starting in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka in February. The new partnership will bring low waste, low carbon spirits packaging technology to one of the world’s most populous countries, and the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States.
Home to almost 1.4 billion people, India is one of the most important, and fastest growing, consumer markets in the world. In recent years, the market for premium and craft spirits has begun to evolve quickly, fueled by the emergence of craft cocktail bars, proudly ‘Made in India’ craft spirits producers, and a young, affluent consumer demographic with an interest in quality, provenance and brand. Given India’s size, and status as a developing economy, the country is a critical piece in the climate change solution puzzle. There are some promising signs on this front: at COP26, the United Nations climate conference taking place in Glasgow this month, the Indian Government made a series of new pledges, including to reduce India’s carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 and to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2070.
Founded in 2018, Sakshi Saigal, Rahul Mehra and Vidur Gupta set up Third Eye Distillery and transformed the spirits landscape in India by launching the first Indian Gin in the premium space. They were the first to explore contemporary style Gins in India with their flagship brand, Stranger & Sons that received international accolades and connected with a global audience. The trio chose Goa with its diverse expanse of spice farms as the location for their distillery where they innovate and explore new extensions to create quality homegrown products. Third Eye Distillery pioneered sustainable practices right from its inception with the distillation of the spirit to their most recent partnership with ecoSPIRITS to provide a revolutionary platform for the Indian spirits industry.
“We’re extremely excited to be the exclusive partners for ecoSPIRITS in India. We look forward to pioneering the sustainability movement in the Indian spirits landscape by bringing this platform to India and making it available to all spirits brands, imported and homegrown. We believe ecoSPIRITS will be a game-changer in moving the Indian spirits market towards a zero net carbon trajectory and helping the country achieve its sustainability goals. We are thrilled to work with brands to make this closed-loop distribution model accessible to all.”
“India is a market that is close to my heart, having lived there for two years earlier in my career. It is also one of the most challenging markets in the world for independent and imported spirits brands. To be able to bring the sustainability and commercial benefits of ecoSPIRITS in one of my favourite places is a highlight. Given India’s size as both a consumer market and contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, it is a strategic market for ecoSPIRITS. We are excited to get started reducing single use glass there with such capable partners.”
Stranger & Sons Gin, Third Eye Distillery’s flagship product, is India’s leading craft gin by volume. Launched in 2018 and produced in Goa, Stranger & Sons Gin was conceived to celebrate the agricultural diversity and abundance of India and its love affair with spices. It captures the spirit of India, in a spirit from India that is produced with nine botanicals from local Goan farms, markets and spice vendors. Now exported to Singapore, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Taiwan, New Zealand and the UAE, Stranger & Sons Gin has picked up a host of international awards, including being declared one of the 8 best gins in the world in 2020 by the International Wine & Spirit Competition to winning the highest honours at The Asian Spirits Masters 2021 and their most recent Gold medal at the Gin Masters 2021. With the launch of ecoSPIRITS in India, Stranger & Sons Gin will become the first Indian spirit to be available in low waste packaging format.
The launch of closed loop service in India will also make the market more accessible and sustainable for imported premium spirits, a well-known challenge in the industry. ecoSPIRITS India will participate in the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program, which grants a wide range of spirit brands and their importers, distributors and wholesalers with access to our global closed loop network. Plantation Rum, the world’s number one super premium rum brand and an ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner since 2019, will become the first imported spirit available in India in ecoTOTE™ format. This transition will make Plantation Rum the most sustainable premium rum offering in the Indian market. With the packaging waste and transport cost savings of the ecoSPIRITS system, Plantation Rum will be available at a reduced on-trade price point, making it more accessible to the Indian bar community.
“We, at Plantation Rum, are delighted starting off this new collaboration with ecoSPIRITS and Third Eye Distillery in a very important and rapidly growing consumer market like India. We are convinced that the future of our industry will be driven by projects like ecoSPIRITS. This sustainable initiative echoes our values and actions talk louder than words with us. For this reason, our distillery, West Indies Rum Distillery, will become the first zero-carbon footprint distillery in Barbados by 2030. Collaborating with ecoSPIRITS completes this engagement.”
ecoPLANT No. 023 will be commissioned at Third Eye Distillery’s existing Goa facility, initially providing closed loop processing for the entire India channel network. Additional ecoPLANTS are planned as the national distribution network develops over time. The Third Eye Distillery team will bring substantial Indian regulatory, licensing and spirits production expertise to the new Licensed Operator partnership. Like all ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operators, they will receive comprehensive support from the ecoSPIRITS closed loop engineering team.
As in other markets, ecoSPIRITS will work closely with leading hospitality operators in India, helping them reduce their single use waste and making premium spirits more affordable for house pours and cocktail lists.
“As an entrepreneur with multiple ventures in the hospitality industry, I’m concerned about the environment and am excited to work towards a sustainable future. This partnership gives us a platform to champion the sustainability movement. Providing spirits in ecoTOTE™ format will indeed help us reduce the environmental impact of our operations and be the perfect solution for reducing our carbon footprint!”
“This is a ground-breaking opportunity that takes us one step closer to ending single use glass and other associated packaging material through a closed loop system! I’m extremely excited about how this will enable hospitality teams to serve spirits in a socially responsible manner and I’m eager to see the impact it’s going to have on our industry in the long run as well.”
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka from February 2022. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in India can get in touch via email at india@ecospirits.global or ecospirits@thirdeyedistillery.com
About Third Eye Distillery
Established in 2018, Third Eye Distillery was founded by Sakshi Saigal, Rahul Mehra and Vidur Gupta with the vision of redefining the spirits landscape of the Indian market. They were the first to explore contemporary style Gins in India with their flagship spirit, Stranger & Sons, which has garnered praise and recognition across the globe. Through pioneering innovations that are built consciously, Third Eye Distillery aims to elevate the homegrown spirits market and uplift India’s cocktail culture.
About Stranger & Sons Gin
The spirit of India in a spirit from India.
Stranger & Sons is a contemporary Indian Gin, the debut spirit from Third Eye Distillery in Goa, founded in 2018 by Rahul Mehra, Sakshi Saigal and Vidur Gupta. Crafted with inherently Indian botanicals including a unique citrus peel mix and warm spices such as pepper, mace and nutmeg, they built a three-dimensional gin that is proudly Indian and true to its origin. Inspired by the country’s agricultural wealth, entrepreneurial spirit and rather wonderfully strange traditions, Stranger & Sons was launched as an Indian spirited gin created in contemporary India, a country that is diverse, nuanced and eccentric.
Starting out as early innovators in the Indian Gin category to winning awards at multiple international spirit competitions, they’ve managed to put Indian Gin on the world map and continue to work towards showcasing India’s diversity to the rest of the world!
*Currently available in Goa, Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Rajasthan within India and the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, internationally.
For more information, please visit https://www.strangerandsons.com/
About Plantation Rum
Plantation Rums, in their instantly recognizable raffia-wrapped bottles, are served at the world’s finest tables and in the most prestigious bars. The fruit of a unique savoir-faire, they express the flavors of the terroirs of rum in fascinating expressions whose double ageing technique has become a true trademark. The Plantation range, through its originality and quality, has conquered the hearts of rum lovers around the world. Multi-awarded expressions like Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple and Barbados XO 20th Anniversary are now classics.
For more information, please visit https://www.plantationrum.com/
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Thailand & Vietnam, Strengthening Its Asia Pacific Network
BANGKOK 9 November 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement for Thailand and Vietnam with a new company formed as joint venture between Bootleggers Trading, a leading Thai craft spirits distributor, and Chalong Bay Distillery, an award-winning craft rum distillery in Phuket. The new joint venture will launch closed loop service in Thailand in January 2022, with service in Vietnam following several months later. With this latest announcement, ecoSPIRITS’ closed loop network covers the majority of Asia Pacific’s leading spirits markets. More details regarding the launch of ecoSPIRITS Vietnam will be announced in January 2022.
Home to a population of almost 70 million, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and a fast-rising force in Asia’s bar and cocktail community. In 2020, five Bangkok bars landed on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, including The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Tropic City, Backstage Cocktail Bar, Vesper and Teens of Thailand. The Thai bar community is known for its vibrant hospitality, creative use of ingredients and flavour and deep pool of talent. With a rich natural heritage made up of lush highland rainforests, ancient limestone karst formations, white sand beaches and clear blue waters, Thailand is also home to some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts. The combination of a vibrant local hospitality scene and a highly developed luxury tourism sector make Thailand a leading Southeast Asian market for premium spirits.
“Our hospitality industry is as beautiful as Mother Earth and ecoSPIRITS is taking care of both, minimizing waste and environmental impact. All this is accompanied by a clever design and stunning branding. If then we add the fact that the spirits available in ecoTOTE format are also delicious… Being eco–friendly has never been so easy.”
“I am really excited that ecoSPIRITS is officially launching in Thailand. It is incredibly important to me and to our industry that we work together to reduce waste and the C02 footprint. Having the ability to help the environment, while saving costs, is amazingly impactful and I look forward to the continued rollout of new markets and cities in the near future.”
The stunning Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, which opened in 2020
As part of the new joint venture, two new ecoPLANTs, Serial Nos. 18 and 24, will be commissioned in Bangkok and Phuket to provide a network of closed loop service in Thailand. A third ecoPLANT is planned for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2022.
Founded in Bangkok in 2014 by Minway Chi, Bootleggers Trading is an importer, educator and producer of craft spirits. Bootleggers’ exclusive distribution portfolio of craft and premium spirit brands include Plantation Rum, Citadelle Gin, Ferrand Cognac, Mancino Vermouth, Widges Gin, Tried & True Vodka, Chartreuse, Kavalan Whisky and Black Tears Rum. Bootleggers will bring its lengthy experience with Thai spirits import, distribution and brand building to the new joint venture.
“As an importer, producer, and distributor, the Bootleggers Team sees first hand the carbon costs associated with moving spirits around the world. With no official recycling scheme available in Thailand, it falls to us as the source to also be the solution. That is why our team is proud to be a part of the ecoSPIRITS low carbon revolution, bringing quality products in an environmentally impactful way to hospitality teams throughout Thailand. That we can do this and help save costs is just the cherry on top.”
Founded in Phuket in 2012 by Thibault Spithakis and Marine Lucchini, Chalong Bay Rum is one of Southeast Asia’s best-known craft spirit producers. Blending the traditional art of French distillation with the rich sugarcane heritage of Thailand, the distillery produces a range of handcrafted rums from 100% organic, first-press Thai sugar cane using a traditional French copper still and Saneha gin. Over the years, Chalong Bay Rums have picked up a number of international awards, including Gold, Double Gold, Best in Class, or Consumer’s Choice Award at renowned international competitions. They are currently distributed in Thailand, Singapore, France and working on expanding their international presence. The distillery will host ecoPLANT No. 024 in Phuket and provide its extensive technical, production and operational expertise to ecoSPIRITS Thailand.
“Sustainability has always been the driving principle of our project and brands. Joining the closed loop system is a natural development and a great opportunity to continue and extend our effort from production to distribution. We tried to implement recycling programs collecting bottles from clients for years but it has always been very difficult to scale, and ecoSPIRITS disruptive model is clearly providing a very smart, comprehensive, and efficient system benefiting all stakeholders and society.”
“Our expansion of closed loop service to Thailand and Vietnam strengthens our Asia Pacific network, adding two of the fastest growing spirits markets in the region. We have tremendous admiration for what Thibault and Minway and their teams have achieved in contributing to the remarkable evolution of spirits production and distribution in Thailand over the past decade. Together, we can now contribute to the next chapter of spirits innovation in the region – one that has sustainable principles at its core.”
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Thailand from January 2022. A more detailed announcement regarding ecoSPIRITS Vietnam will be released the same month. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Thailand or Vietnam can get in touch via email at thailand@ecospirits.global or vietnam@ecospirits.global or minway@bootleggerstrading.com
About Bootleggers Trading
Bootleggers Trading was founded in 2014, as a spirits importer, producer, and educator by Minway Chi. Our team provides some of the most recognizable and most awarded independent spirits brands from around the world into the hands of Thailand’s top cocktail bars, restaurants, and specialty retailers. With a focus on quality brands and an intensive advocacy program, our team of passionate individuals helps promote and elevate the vibrant Thai cocktail and beverage industry.
For more information, please visit https://www.bootleggerstrading.com/
About Chalong Bay Distillery
Chalong Bay’s was born from the dream to unite two heritages and bring the French Caribbean tradition of Agricole rum distillation back to the origin of sugarcane. Their purpose is to create super premium craft spirits that are natural, authentic, with a unique Thai character, marrying traditions and craft production methods that are sustainable and respectful of the environment and the community.
All Chalong Bay expressions are created using first-press, natural sugarcane juice from 100% pure, organic, single variety Thai sugarcane that has been hand-cut and grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers by local farmers.
Their recently launched Saneha Gin is crafted following the same principles and using local ingredients and botanicals such as Phuket pineapple, ginger flower, or makwan among others.
But, more than a rum and a gin, Chalong Bay is a Spirit. They are a family that carries the spirit of care and dedication. They cherish doing things naturally and authentically, refusing to compromise on quality and sustainability while respecting their communities and environment
For more information, please visit www.chalongbay.com and www.saneha.co.th
ecoSPIRITS Releases Global Carbon Emissions Calculator To Quantify Climate Impact
SINGAPORE 28 October 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has completed a year-long study to quantify the climate impact of its closed loop spirits technology. The new ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator is based on a study performed by Deloitte, a leading global consultancy firm providing sustainability services. The new Calculator allows ecoSPIRITS and its brand partners to compare the carbon emissions footprint of a spirit distributed in ecoTOTE™ format against the same spirit distributed in single use glass for any two paired points of spirit production and consumption on the planet.
Glass itself is not the problem. As a packaging material, glass is durable, endlessly reusable and is inert, outperforming plastic, aluminium and steel in protecting spirit flavours. However, glass is expensive and energy-intensive to produce, yielding an embodied carbon emissions footprint of 550g per bottle on average. Glass is also dense, comprising approximately 50% of the weight of standard bottled spirit and increasing global logistics costs and emissions. As packaging waste, glass’ durability becomes liability, taking more than 10,000 years to break down in the natural environment.
In the current linear economy, the problem lies in the ‘single use’ nature of glass packaging. In 2020 alone, ecoSPIRITS estimates that the world produced 40 billion single use glass spirit bottles, leading to 22 million tons of carbon emissions. Recycling single use glass packaging helps, but it is not a long-term solution to dramatically reducing emissions. Recycling a glass bottle saves only 10-15% of the energy required to produce a new bottle. A recycled glass bottle has a carbon footprint that is just 25 – 40% lower than a new one. To solve the single use waste crises over the long term, the world must transition our economies, and the spirits industry, from single use to reuse.
ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending system of closed loop technologies eliminates single use glass from the spirits supply chain, offering a proven reduction in the delivered cost of premium spirits, and a transformative reduction in single use waste and carbon footprint. By introducing a fully reusable, engineered glass packaging format, the ecoTOTE™, ecoSPIRITS is able to retain the best features of glass packaging, while eliminating the financial and environmental costs associated with single use of an energy-intensive, costly material.
The new ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator is based on a Comparative Lifecycle Emissions Study performed by Deloitte Singapore in accordance with guidance from the GHG Protocol Initiative and using standard CO2e conversion factors. The study estimates carbon emissions from the principal packaging production and material freight steps implicated in the movement of spirit volumes from their point of distillation to the point of final consumption. Findings from the study were then used to create the global carbon emissions calculator tool, which compares ecoTOTE™ closed loop distribution versus the single use glass comparator. The calculator estimates the total carbon footprint reduction, in both grams of C02e and percentage terms, for any spirit based on any two paired points of origin and consumption in the world.
On average, the ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator confirms that ecoSPIRITS’ technology eliminates 60% – 90% of the carbon emissions associated with the packaging and distribution of premium spirits when compared with single use glass comparators. The percentage carbon footprint reduction is a function of supply chain length, and the modes of transport used in transporting the spirit from distillery to end venue. For each spirit brand partner, and location of distribution, ecoSPIRITS will publish a specific carbon footprint reduction figure in both grams of C02e and in %. for the ecoTOTE™ format.
“The launch of the ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator gives us a powerful new tool to quantify, report on, and mitigate the sources of carbon emissions in the spirits supply chain,” notes Eve Mignot, ecoSPIRITS Sustainability Manager, “This new tool will help us work even more closely with our brand and distribution partners in measuring the environmental impact of their transition to closed loop packaging. We will also use the calculator to help our partners optimize the way spirits are transported, prioritising lower carbon modes of transport over time.”
The new ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator will be used by ecoSPIRITS to quantify the carbon footprint reduction impact of its proprietary technology for all current spirit brand partners, as well as all brands that join its global closed loop network going forward. For each spirit brand partner, and location of distribution, ecoSPIRITS will publish a specific carbon footprint reduction figure in both grams of C02e and in %. for the ecoTOTE™ format.
Avallen is one of the world’s first “planet positive spirits”, being Climate Positive, featuring a label made of apple pulp, and having a bee-saving program through 1% for the Planet.
“As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. At Avallen, we want to see a world where climate change stabilises and reverses catastrophic biodiversity loss. The end of single use glass through the revolutionary ecoSPIRITS platform will play a big part in Avallen being a world-leading climate positive brand.”
Spirits Brands & Carbon Emissions: Getting Started
Roots Dry Gin, created in award-winning distillery built of up-cycled containers, offers a complete transparency of ingredients, processes and production, from root – to cup.
“Elemental Distillers is the embodiment of a belief that we can both deliver creative, premium and award-winning spirits while also operating sustainably through an ongoing collection of sustainable micro-changes and in full transparency of our processes and ingredients.”
With a pea-base spirit grown without fertilizers and distilled with local botanicals, each bottle of Nàdar removes more CO2 emissions than it creates.
“At Arbikie we’re continuously looking for ways to innovate and reinforce our sustainability focus. For each decision we make, we consider the environmental impact and how we can do things better. We are really encouraged by the CO2e mass reductions of this system and the partnership with ecoSPIRITS is one that excites us all.”
Spirits brands, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and venues interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS global network of closed loop service can get in touch via email at info@ecospirits.global. For more information on the ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator, please contact eve.mignot@ecospirits.global
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our more than 345,000 professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Our organisation has grown tremendously in both scale and capabilities, yet our shared culture and mission—to make an impact that matters—remains unchanged. This is evident not only in Deloitte’s work for clients, but also in our WorldClass ambition, our WorldClimate initiative and our ALL IN diversity and inclusion strategy.
For more information, please visit:
www.deloitte.com/sg
About Avallen Calvados
Avallen is the delicious moment when flavour and sustainability converge! Every bottle of Avallen made removes 2.73kg of CO2e from the atmosphere without external offsetting, protects biodiversity through traditional production methods and supports bee-protecting organisations. Avallen represents a young, fresh and more apple-filled future for spirits, with the health of our planet at its core.
For more information, please visit:
www.avallenspirits.com
About Roots Gin
Roots Gin is a crisp and robust ‘London Dry’ style gin produced on the estate at the Elemental Distillery in the heart of the Marlborough wine region. Roots Gin is made in small batches from individually sourced ingredients and all fully traceable, from root to cup.
For more information, please visit:
www.elementaldistillers.com/roots-dry-gin/
About Nàdar Spirits
Nàdar Gin harnesses the power of nature and science to create this world-first spirit. With a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO2e per 700ml bottle, Nàdar Gin is at the forefront of fighting climate change and biodiversity loss, the biggest challenges humankind has ever faced.
For more information, please visit:
www.arbikie.com/nadar-gin
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Germany, as European Expansion Accelerates
MUNICH 10 October 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement for Germany with InnovativeDrinks, a new spirits import and distribution company founded by spirits industry executive Hans-Knud Reiss. Starting in December 2021, ecoSPIRITS Germany will be the fourth European market to offer closed loop spirits service, following launches in the United Kingdom, France and Norway.
As the Europe’s largest economy, and home to a population of more than 83 million, Germany was a natural choice for ecoSPIRITS continued expansion in the region. An economic engine for the European Union, Germany has also cemented its status as a global leader on the environment over the past three decades. On topics ranging from fossil fuels taxation to the promotion of green infrastructure and sustainable transportation, the German government has regularly set global benchmarks in its policies and actions. ecoSPIRITS Germany’s launch of closed loop spirits packaging technology is in line with the country’s broad commitment to circular economy principles.
Founded in early 2021, InnovativeDrinks is led by Reiss, who was the German on-trade sales director for a global spirits major for more than 10 years. After a period in the United States, and inspired by the boom in craft spirits there, Reiss returned to Germany in 2020 with a vision of developing a premium craft spirits distributor focused on upscale gastronomy. The ecoSPIRITS technology will be a cornerstone of InnovativeDrinks’ drive to make independent spirits more widely available and more affordable in the German market.
“We are all experiencing the consequences of climate change.
It is time to question how we do things – and what we can do differently to reduce our CO2 footprint. In their undisputed role as trendsetters and opinion leaders, bartenders and F&B-operators have a special responsibility as a sustainable role model. We at InnovativeDrinks are pleased to be able to offer the HoReCa industry a solution with ecoSPIRITS that almost eliminates the CO2 footprint and packaging waste at the bar. And that without taking anything from the bar experience away from the guest. A perfect drink – without a guilty conscience. What more do you want?”
The launch of ecoSPIRITS Germany will see ecoPLANT No. 022 sited in Karlsruhe, a city in southwestern Germany. To start, spirits in ecoTOTE™ format will be available through select wholesalers and distributors in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hessia, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria with nationwide distribution rolling out over the course of 2022.
The launch of ecoSPIRITS Germany will see new brand partners join the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program. The first locally-produced white spirits available in ecoSPIRITS’ closed loop technology will be Sash & Fritz Vodka, an award-winning German vodka produced from 100% German wheat and spring water from the Ore Mountains, and Wild Child Berlin Dry Gin, a craft German gin made from handpicked juniper berries, Calabrian citrus, bergamot and other botanicals. Stork Club Rye Whiskey, a 100% German rye whisky with a loyal following in the craft bartending community, will become the first rye whiskey in the world to join the ecoSPIRITS network. Sash & Fritz Vodka, Wild Child Berlin Dry Gin and Stork Club Rye Whiskey will remain available through their existing channel partners, but now in the low carbon, low waste ecoTOTE™ format.
“With our two brands, Sash & Fritz German Vodka and Wild Child Berlin Dry Gin, we have always been eager to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible. The well-thought through ecoSPIRITS system is a great opportunity with many positive factors, which we have been aiming at for a long time. For one we can offer our products with more sustainability, secondly this means we can reduce our waste, energy and production costs, subsequently the pricing of our products are more competitive and thirdly not only does this underline our commitment, it raises awareness for our planet and is in line with our growing environmentally conscious customer base.”
“We at Stork Club are very excited to be the world’s first rye whiskey available in the ecoTOTE format! Our distillery is located in the middle of a nature reserve and our partnership with ecoSPIRITS is the first step in our process of becoming carbon-neutral over the coming years. We love the concept of ecoSPIRITS and believe it can have a huge impact on the hospitality industry reducing waste and the CO2 footprint of spirits.”
At the same time as the launch of ecoSPIRITS Germany, InnovativeDrinks will take on exclusive distribution of the True Believers portfolio of affordable craft pouring spirits, including Tried & True Straight Wheat Vodka, Widges Gin, Mackintosh Blended Malt Whisky, and Arquitecto Tequila and 100% Agave Spirit.
“As the world emerges from the pandemic, it has become clear that the European region will lead our market expansion for the True Believers portfolio in 2022. With Germany being Europe’s largest spirits market we could not be more excited to be partnering with an experienced industry veteran like Hans-Knud Reiss and his new distribution company Innovative Drinks to pioneer bringing sustainable craft pouring spirits to the market via the ecoSPIRITS distribution technology.”
With a commitment to the environment deeply rooted in German culture, news of ecoSPIRITS Germany has been warmly welcomed by the on-trade community. A number of leading venue partners will join the ecoSPIRITS network as soon as closed loop service is available, including the multi award-winning Spirits Bar in Cologne and longstanding Munich cocktail institution, Zephyr.
“Finally a sensible solution that addresses our bottle problem. No guest sees two-thirds of the bottles of our pouring products, as we process them directly in the kitchen. We have been looking for larger containers for these products for a long time and, with ecoSPIRITS, we have the perfect solution, sustainable and practical!“
“Even when running a small bar like Zephyr, you can see the necessity for a sustainable way of selling spirits. The daily walk to the glass disposal bin with a box full of empty bottles is the perfect reminder. Most of the nice shiny bottles don’t make it into the backbar, they are turned into infusions or premixes anyway. For me, ecoSPIRITS provides a practical solution for any hospitality business. We’re very happy to see their launch in Germany.“
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Germany from December 2021. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Germany can get in touch via email at germany@ecospirits.global or welcome@innovativedrinks.de
About InnovativeDrinks
Established in 2021, InnovativeDrinks is certainly still one of the newcomers on the German market. The founder himself is no stranger to the industry: Hans-Knud Reiss is certainly one of the old hands. The trained hotel specialist headed sales in HoReca & wholesale for a well-known international spirits company for over a decade as Sales Director On trade. After a four-year stay in the USA and inspired by the positive developments in the craft spirits market, he decided to found InnovativeDrinks GmbH, a sales company for premium spirits for upscale restaurants and specialist retailers. The company is based in Karlsruhe, Germany.
For more information, please visit www.innovativedrinks.de
About Sash & Fritz GmbH
Inspired by the royal friendship between Csar Alexander I of Russia (Sash) and King Friedrich III of Prussia (Fritz), Peter Steger founded Sash & Fritz GmbH in 2014 in Berlin. Now seven years later, it is a well-established company with two brands and distribution channels around the globe. Sash & Fritz is German vodka combining Russian tradition with German precision and perfection. Only the best, carefully selected ingredients are processed into top-quality vodka in a carefully thought out manufacturing process. The careful quintuple distillation and gentle quintuple filtration thus guarantee the pure, unique flavour of Sash & Fritz. The result is a multiple worldwide gold award-winning premium vodka. In 2018, Steger created his own gin, Wild Child Berlin Dry Gin. Also having won many gold medals in various international competitions, Wild Child is all about a great gin, with a homage to ‘freedom of mind and spirit’ and with that to the city of Berlin.
For more information, please visit www.sashundfritz.de/en/
About Stork Club Rye Whiskey
Germany’s first rye whiskey distillery was founded in 2016 by Steffen Lohr, Sebastian Brack and Bastian Heuser. The Stork Club distillery is located merely 60km south of Berlin in the middle of a nature reserve. Locally grown German rye, pure water from the nature reserve and the thrive to experiment with Europe’s pristine grain are the ingredients for one of Europe’s most awarded rye whiskeys.
For more information, please visit https://stork-club-whiskey.com
About True Believers
True Believers was conceived as an innovation unit within the Proof & Company group. Its aim is to offer a range of craft spirits that bridges the gap between economical pouring brands, which often fall short in meeting modern consumer preferences for craft credibility, and super premium craft spirits, which are generally priced out of reach for house pouring programs. To date, True Believers has released four spirits brands, including Tried & True Straight Wheat Vodka, Widges London Dry Gin, Arquitecto Blanco Tequila, and Mackintosh Blended Malt Whisky. True Believers brands were developed individually to serve as a versatile archetype of its category, produced with authentic craft values by highly-regarded distillers. The range is price-positioned to be accessible to pouring programs for better bars and available in the ecoSPIRITS low-carbon, low-waste spirits distribution system.
For more information, please visit https://truthinspirits.com/
Rosewood Hong Kong Partners With ecoSPIRITS, Reducing Single Use Waste Through Climate Friendly Cocktails
HONG KONG 15 September 2021 Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is deepening its commitment to sustainability through a partnership with ecoSPIRITS that will reduce single use glass, starting with their flagship property in Hong Kong. This collaboration will see the ecoSPIRITS low carbon, low waste technology used in the property’s eight bars and restaurants and celebrated in a special menu of ecoCOCKTAILS that will be available throughout the landmark hotel.
Soaring over Victoria Harbour, Rosewood Hong Kong is a highlight of the Kowloon waterfront and the crown jewel of the Victoria Dockside arts and design district. The hotel embraces a sustainability ethos through Rosewood’s Verdes® Responsibilities, which commits to elevated hospitality without compromising the natural environment. The ecoSPIRITS technology, with its elimination of single use glass and dramatic reduction in carbon footprint of spirits, is a natural fit.
Rosewood Hong Kong’s beverage programs, including its acclaimed Darkside Bar, are led by Director of Bars, Arkadiusz Rybak, an award-winning bartender and manager who brings to the team extensive experience working in Conde Nast’s ‘Hot List’ hotels and in Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Hong Kong. His talented team at Rosewood Hong Kong include Francois Cavelier, Bar Manager and Simon Rossi, Beverage Manager at the Darkside Bar.
To bring the hotel’s beverage sustainability principles to life, and to celebrate the partnership with ecoSPIRITS, Arkadiusz and his team developed a range of special low waste cocktails, including the signature Eco Negroni. A special ecoCOCKTAILS Menu, printed on sustainable compostable paper which is embedded with tree seeds, is now available throughout the hotel. Guests can take the menu home and plant it in soil — as the paper composts away, all that is left behind is new life and zero waste.
The making of a climate friendly cocktail with Widges Gin and Tried & True Vodka
A fresh take on the White Negroni, which is traditionally made with gin, dry vermouth, and gentian liqueur, this sustainable serve is made with a base of Widges London Dry Gin that is delivered in ecoTOTE™ format, Mancino Bianco Vermouth, and two house-made infusions to take the place of gentian liqueur, each made with upcycled ingredients that might otherwise have been thrown away. A sophisticated and herbaceous tipple is garnished with a green lime gel made with oxidized lime juice that is stabilized with natural and alternative preservatives to give second life to juice that would otherwise go down the drain.
“By using the ecoSPIRITS at Rosewood Hong Kong we are able to reduce our glass bottle waste tremendously. Not only do we minimize waste, but we also reduce the amount of storage required for spirits. In addition, we give back through ecoSPIRITS Forest Program initiative. Overall, ecoSPIRITS allows us to seamlessly operate at a high-volume beverage program and care for our environment.”
In addition to significantly reducing their glass and packaging waste with ecoSPIRITS, the Eco Negroni is prepared without ice. To conserve this resource-intensive ingredient, the cocktail is batched and bottled in the back-of-house and kept chilled for service. Overall, the Eco Negroni eliminates 30g of C02 emissions per serve by reducing single use glass waste.
Clear Bitter, a Sustainable Gentiane Substitute
Low waste, housemade infusions to take the place of gentian liqueur, a traditional aperitif that originates from the French Alps. To recreate the wintery backbone of gentian liqueur, the Rosewood Hong Kong beverage team creates an infusion called Clear Bitter, made with leftover lemon peels, dandelion, and gentian root mixed with Tried & True Vodka delivered in ecoTOTE™ format. To balance and brighten the Clear Bitter infusion, the team makes a citrus infusion from leftover lemon peels, coriander seeds, and buddha hand leaves that is also infused in Tried & True Vodka. Together, the Clear Bitter and Lemon Buddha’s Hand Liqueur take the place of gentian liqueur and create substantial carbon savings!
Beyond the Eco Negroni, Arkadiusz and his team are using the ecoSPIRITS technology across the property’s bars and restaurants to further reduce waste and beverage costs. The partnership between ecoSPIRITS and Rosewood Hong Kong is eliminating thousands of single use glass bottles per year, reducing Hong Kong’s landfill waste and saving 550g of carbon emissions per bottle eliminated.
To further supplement this impact, ecoSPIRITS, its spirits partners and Rosewood Hong Kong are planting one tree for every ecoTOTE™ ordered by the hotel in the endangered Kalimantan rainforest in Borneo, Indonesia. This reforestation commitment increases the sustainability impact per serve, including for the Eco Negroni, to 150g per cocktail. Rosewood Hong Kong’s Borneo reforestation and C02 impact is made available to hotel guests through the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program’s unique ‘proof of planting’ digital interface.
Through this partnership, and the exquisite cocktails, Rosewood Hong Kong and ecoSPIRITS hope to inspire others to incorporate sustainable principles into their beverage and hospitality. Elevated beverage experiences without compromising the natural environment are now possible.
About Rosewood Hong Kong
Soaring over Victoria Harbour, Rosewood Hong Kong is a new centre of gravity on the Kowloon waterfront — the crown jewel of the Victoria Dockside arts and design district. On passing the gate and traversing the cobblestoned drive, the urban din falls away, revealing lush topiary and a serene forecourt that commands the harbour. A warm welcome heralds a stay of unparalleled comfort and distinctive hospitality at the Hong Kong luxury hotel.
For more information, visit: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/ or follow @rosewoodhongkong on Instagram.
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in France in Partnership With La Maison du Whisky & Industry Veteran Jeremy Moreau
PARIS 8 September 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement for France with a new company that has been formed by industry-leader La Maison du Whisky and spirits and wine industry veteran Jeremy Moreau. The new partnership will bring ecoSPIRITS’ closed-loop spirits technology to one of the European Union’s largest and most high profile spirits markets, starting in November 2021.
Home to more than 67 million people and the European Union’s second largest economy, France is one of the most important spirits markets in the world, in terms of both production and consumption. Spirits have centuries of rich history in France, stretching well beyond the well-known Cognac category. Modern France has also emerged as a global leader in sustainability policy, passing a landmark Anti-Waste Law in 2020 that enshrines circular economy principles into national law.
Founded in 1956 by Georges Bénitah, La Maison du Whisky has long been a market leader in fine spirits. With more than 200 employees, LMDW’s expertise spans spirits import and distribution, rare spirits collection, sourcing and discovery, and spirits events management and publishing. Their Whisky Live is the world’s premier whisky show, hosted each year in Paris and in other cities around the world. These broad capabilities will strengthen the ecoSPIRITS France platform and help drive scale in circular spirits in one of the world’s largest spirits markets.
eS Operator France SAS, the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator for the French market, will be led by Jeremy Moreau, a wine and spirits industry veteran who has spent time in senior leadership roles for both LMDW and award-winning independent spirits distributor Proof & Company in France and Asia. Moreau will also take a substantial shareholding in the new joint venture.
“I am very proud to bring ecoSPIRITS’ circular spirits packaging technology to France. The French have a long and deep history with spirits production and enjoyment and French consumers are savvy connoisseurs and always on the lookout for new and amazing products. Furthermore, there is a nationwide commitment to working towards a sustainable future: the French thirst for sustainable solutions for their favourite tipples. ecoSPIRITS’ innovative solution tackles numerous waste and supply change problems, while providing an elegant serve to imbibers. Having worked with both Thierry Bénitah during my time at La Maison du Whisky and Paul Gabie during our time together at Proof & Company, I know first-hand their commitment to innovation and sustainability in the spirits industry.”
“The need to reduce waste is no longer a mere utopia but the reality of the 21st century. LMDW seeks to always remain at the forefront of key issues and wants to meet this strong demand from professionals and consumers via a bulk spirits solution and is happy to launch ecoSPIRITS’ in France”
As part of the expansion into the French market, ecoSPIRITS will welcome a number of new brand partners to the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program. Plantation Rum, which helped pioneer the ecoSPIRITS technology in Asia Pacific starting in 2018, will be available in ecoTOTE™ format in its home market. The French launch will also see Citadelle Gin join the ecoSPIRITS network, making a French gin available in low-waste packaging for the first time. FAIR Spirits, the leading fair trade spirits brand and an early pioneer of ethical sourcing and sustainable thinking in the industry, will join the Climate Partner Program, first with its FAIR Quinoa Vodka. Award-winning producer Calvados Christian Drouin will make their Sélection Calvados available in ecoTOTE™ format, rounding out an initial offering of leading French spirits. Additional brand partners will be announced in the coming months.
“The FAIR brand was built on a mission to support farmers in developing economies. By helping small farmers make a living, we make sure that not only they can have a decent life and send their kids to school, but we also ensure that they can support their local community, local arts, local events, local music, all what we call culture. The power of Fair Trade is not only to give back, it is a real opportunity for people to keep being who they are and sustain their way of life. Fair Trade is an opportunity to protect cultural diversity around the globe. Partnering with ecoSPIRITS is a fantastic opportunity to combine our commitment to the Fair Trade movement together with a commitment to lower CO2 emissions”.
“With a positive carbon footprint of 2.9 kg of CO2e for each bottle produced, Calvados is certainly the greenest spirit in the world. So we are naturally very happy to participate to the ecoSPIRITS project which will enable us to go even further in our willingness to produce and to deliver our calvados with the lowest possible carbon footprint.”
“We, at Maison Ferrand, are delighted to see long-time partner La Maison du Whisky starting off this new collaboration with ecoSPIRITS. As one of the first companies participating in the ecoSPIRITS project, we were immediately won over by its distribution approach, in which we saw the future of the industry,” notes Angélique Jullienne, Marketing and Communication Director for Maison Ferrand, “The sustainable initiative echoes our values and actions talk louder than words for us. Our West Indies Rum Distillery, the home of Plantation Rum, in Barbados is the first in the Caribbean certified BonSucro chain of custody with a goal of becoming a zero-carbon footprint distillery by 2030. Our new Citadelle Gin distillery in Cognac shares in our sustainable objectives with local sourcing of bontanicals and cultivating our own juniper trees.”
ecoPLANT No. 017 will be sited at LMDW’s state-of-the-art warehouse facility in the Greater Paris region, with closed loop spirits service first offered to on-trade venues in metro Paris, then expanding nationwide over the course of 2022. For interested trade and consumers, ecoSPIRITS will be present at Whisky Live 2021 in Paris in partnership with FAIR Spirits, Calvados Christian Drouin and Plantation Rum from 25-27 September 2021.
“In selecting partners for the all-important French market, we are confident that we have found an excellent fit with Thierry Bénitah, Jean-François Briand, and the LMDW team. They have long been pioneers in the industry, and their commitment to sustainability innovation is just the next chapter in that journey,” notes Paul Gabie, ecoSPIRITS CEO, “Having worked closely with Jeremy Moreau for years during our time together at Proof & Company, I am also confident that he is the right leader and partner to drive the transition to circular packaging for our Climate Partners in French market.”
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in France from November 2021. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in France can get in touch via email at france@ecospirits.global or c.moreau-luchaire@lmdw.com.
About LMDW
Since its creation in 1956, La Maison du Whisky has been supporting the development of the whisky and spirits market in France, anticipating its major trends and enlightening the choices of an ever-growing public of amateurs. In six decades, La Maison du Whisky has successively – and simultaneously – assumed the roles of retailer, wholesaler, distributor, importer and exporter of fine whiskys and spirits on a national, European and global scale. Faithful to its original commitments, attached to its entrepreneurial and human heritage, La Maison du Whisky is distinguished by an endlessly renewed curiosity and by a permanent quest for perfection.
For more information visit: https://www.whisky.fr/en/
About Citadelle Gin
Citadelle, the first French artisanal gin. It all started on a summer day. The Charente sun kisses the rows of vines, the ocean breeze caresses the juniper branches. Suddenly, we want to take a break. A few oysters, a lemon… we’ll work later. At Château de Bonbonnet, we know how to create spirits that have a soul. That July day, the desire was too strong: we had to create THE gin, the one that would encapsulate all the spirit of this moment, of this climate, of this region. Our castle gin! Obviously – as often with family or enthusiasts – the tone was high and the debate was lively. How do you find the perfect spice pairing that will embellish the essential juniper berry? The idea was clear to everyone: we wanted to find the sun in this gin.
For more information visit: http://citadellegin.com/
About Plantation Rum
The Plantation rums collection is divided into two distinct ranges, blends and vintages. The blends are blends refined by the Maison Ferrand cellar master. The vintages, which taste different from one vintage to the next, come directly from the barrel and are available in limited quantities. Traditionally designed, produced in rum distilleries and aged in barrels under the tropical sun, the rums of the Plantation range benefit from a unique aging process: “double aging” – at the appropriate time, the rums are brought back from their country of origin at Domaine de Bonbonnet in Cognac, and matured for several additional months in small oak barrels specific to Maison Ferrand.
For more information visit: https://www.plantationrum.com/
About FAIR Spirits
FAIR is the leading Fair Trade liquor brand. The hallmark of this range (rum, vodka, gin and liqueurs) is in the combined use of fair trade, sustainable development and French craftsmanship for producing these products. The brand has a philosophy of fair deals for all partners involved in the production chain. This aim has taken them across the world in order to produce high-quality spirits from the finest ingredients.
For more information visit: http://www.fair-drinks.com/
About Calvados Christian Drouin
Three generations from a family of enthusiasts have now handed down control of the Christian Drouin house, one of the greatest gems in the production of Calvados and in particular Calvados Pays d’Auge. Established in 1991 on a former stud farm in Coudray-Rabut near Pont l´Evêque, the estate boasts an exceptional range. In possession of the best and most comprehensive collection of old vintage Calvados – the oldest dating back to 1939 – Christian Drouin is to Calvados what Gordon & MacPhail is to whisky – a temple! Its cellar masters have been awarded numerous prizes in recognition of their skills.
For more information visit: https://www.calvados-drouin.com/en/
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Cambodia, Partnering With Craft Spirits Distributor & Leading Local Distillery
PHNOM PENH 30 AUGUST 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement for Cambodia with a new joint venture company, eS Operator Cambodia, formed by Moonshine Cambodia, a leading local craft spirits importer and distributor, and Samai Distillery in Phnom Penh, one of Southeast Asia’s leading craft distilleries. Starting in December 2021, the new Licensed Operator partnership will bring low-waste spirits service to a market that is a vibrant tourist destination with rich culture and history as it begin to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Home to just over 16 million people, Cambodia is a Southeast Asian market renowned for its lush landscapes and historical and cultural sites. Spanning the Mekong Delta, low-lying coastal plains, rainforest-clad mountains and the Gulf of Thailand coastline, Cambodia has developed rapidly in recent years as a popular destination for luxury and ecotourism. As a result, premium spirits, waste reduction and sustainable innovation are a natural fit for many of the country’s leading hospitality operators. In recent years, the national government has also taken meaningful steps to fight climate change, including committing to 2030 carbon emissions reductions targets under the United Nations framework and to developing a national strategy for a longer-term journey to Net Zero.
Founded in 2020 in Phnom Penh, Moonshine Cambodia is a craft spirits distributor established by Liza Kao and Stephen Hansen out of a love for quality spirits and cocktails. Moonshine Cambodia is the exclusive importer and distributor of a range of leading premium and craft spirits, including Plantation Rum, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Chartreuse, Aviation Gin, and Michter’s American Whiskeys. Moonshine Cambodia also owns and operates PREI cocktail bar in Phnom Penh, which pays homage to the Cardamom rainforests that are the climate lungs of Southeast Asia.
“During our time in the hospitality industry, we’ve seen a need more than ever to implement conscious approaches in the industry and support those who want to maximize their impact on sustainable tourism,” notes Kao, CEO and Co-Founder of Moonshine Cambodia, “It made sense for us to team up with ecoSPIRITS to prioritize the circular economy principles in Cambodia, and slowly reduce single-use bottles while making premium spirits more cost effective for hospitality operators. We are proud of Cambodia’s rich heritage and strive to be as aware as a company as we can be for our local community.”
Cambodia’s first and only premium rum distillery, Samai Distillery, was founded in 2014 in Phnom Penh and is regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s pioneering craft distilleries. As Cambodia’s first and only premium rum producer, the Samai team produce hand-crafted, premium rums using high-quality, locally grown ingredients and a process that pays tribute to age-old rum making traditions. Complex and full of character, Samai rums reflect the unique Cambodian terroir. Under the new ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator partnership, Samai Distillery will host and operate ecoPLANT No. 025 in Phnom Penh, offering the advantages of an expert distillery team in processing ecoTOTE™ formats for the Cambodian market.
“Sustainability in the alcohol industry is long-overdue, but it has proven a challenge for individual brands to tackle alone,” notes Daniel Pacheco, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Samai Distillery, “ecoSPIRITS is revolutionizing the industry by giving spirits producers, like Samai, a fully developed solution which reduces waste, lowers our need for packaging inventory, reducing carbon emissions from shipping all this inventory across the globe, all while making the final product more affordable to the end consumer… a win for everyone. At Samai, we are proud to be the distillery partner bringing ecoSPIRITS to Cambodia. We hope this will inspire many other initiatives across the country, and across industries, helping Cambodia grow and lead the way in sustainability and the circular economy.”
In a market where leading bars, restaurants and hotels serve ever more eco-conscious guests, news of ecoSPIRITS’ Cambodia launch has received a warm reception. Some of the country’s most prominent venues will join the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner program and prioritise spirits in ecoTOTE™ as soon as closed loop service commences.
“FCC Angkor by Avani is proud to partner with ecoSPIRITS and continue our efforts to push the boundaries of sustainability procedures in hotels. This partnership will allow Scribe Bar to extend its sustainable cocktail menu in which all ingredients involved in the cocktail have zero wastage.“
– Michael Robinson, General Manager, FCC Angkor by Avani Hotels & Resorts.
In Cambodia, the waste problem is complex however, as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, finding a solution is a necessity. It’s an opportunity for Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh to set the bar and a positive example within tourism sector. We would like to contribute as much as we can to be an example among our society as a whole. At Hyatt we use biodegradable packaging, we are also recycling used cooking oil into clean burning diesel fuel (biodiesel), have a soap recycling partnership with Naga Earth, and focus on using sustainable ingredients from local producers to name a few of our initiatives. We look forward to our partnership with EcoSpirits and to further contribute in a positive sense to the waste reductions and management in the city.
– Herman Kemp, General Manager, Hyatt Regency, Phnom Penh
“Sustainability to us at Knai Bang Chatt, is about Impact. Not only impacting our business and guests, but our community. We believe with all measured impact, it begins to change our surroundings for the better. Sustainability is our DNA, however it helps complete the memorable experience for the guest as well. When you stay at Knai Bnag Chatt, you feel the impact from the rooms, to the experiences we create to share with you so you yourself leave feeling impacted positively and recharged.”
– Jay Scaife, Director Food & Beverage, Knai Bang Chatt
“Climate change is a global crisis that will leave no country unscathed. Like many developing markets, Cambodia is only just beginning to formulate its climate battle plan,” notes Paul Gabie, ecoSPIRITS CEO, “The ecoSPIRITS vision was created with both developed and developing markets in mind. Partnering with industry pioneers like Samai Distillery and Moonshine Cambodia to bring waste and carbon emissions reduction technology to one of Southeast Asia’s most important developing economies shows just how universal the movement to fight climate change is becoming.”
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Cambodia from December 2021. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Cambodia can get in touch via email at cambodia@ecospirits.global or ecospirits@samaidistillery.com.
About Moonshine Cambodia
Moonshine was established in 2020 out of a love for quality, craft spirits and bringing cocktail culture to Cambodia. Co-founders Liza Kao and Stephen Hansen brought their knowledge in the hospitality industry from Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City back home to a burgeoning Phnom Penh. Moonshine’s growing exclusive distribution and consulting services currently supports most cocktail bars, retail establishments and hotels in Siem Reap & Phnom Penh areas.
For more information, please visit www.moonshine.asia and www.preiphnompenh.com
About Samai Distillery
Samai Distillery was founded in 2014 in Phnom Penh and is regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s pioneering craft distilleries. As Cambodia’s first and only premium rum producer, the Samai team produce hand-crafted, premium rums using high-quality, locally grown ingredients and a process that pays tribute to age-old rum making traditions. Complex and full of character, Samai rums reflect the unique Cambodian terroir. With four premium products in its portfolio, Samai rums are distributed in France, Singapore, Spain, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Korea, with more countries to come. If you happen to be in Cambodia, don’t miss a chance to try the rums and exclusive cocktails at the bar inside the distillery, or book your private tour.
For more information visit www.samaidistillery.com
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Norway With Spirited Animals Group, Marking its Entry into Scandinavia
OSLO 24 AUGUST 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement with Spirited Animals Group, a partnership which will launch closed loop spirits service in Norway in November 2021. ecoPLANT No. 022 will be sited in Oslo, bringing low-carbon, low-waste spirits to a country long known for its forward-thinking approach to sustainability and the environment.
Part of the Nordic Region, Norway is a highly developed economy and spirits market. Home to 5.4 million people, it is well known for mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. The capital, Oslo, is a city of museums, green parks and a vibrant food and beverage scene. In recent years, Norway has joined the world cocktail community, with Oslo’s Himkok, listed regularly amongst the World’s 50 Best Bars, just one of numerous acclaimed venues. Rated as the world’s most sustainable country in 2020, Norway has made a national commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Spirited Animals Group is a creative hospitality company working in beverage consulting, venue development, and distribution based in Oslo. Founded by Chris Grøtvedt and Barney Blichfeldt, the team has a strategy of working with leading brands and initiatives from around the world to help move Norway’s hospitality market towards the future. Grøtvedt has been a leading figure in the Norwegian hospitality industry for years, having brought THE THIEF five-star hotel onto the international cocktail map, launched Oslo Bar Show (now Norse Bar Show) in 2015 and through his work as the creative partner at *ISM Oslo. Blichfeldt has been a rising star in the import and distribution side of the industry in recent years. With a background in spirits and wine sales and import, as well as work as a beverage director, Blichfeldt brings extensive commercial and operational experience to the venture. With a creative mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, Spirited Animals Group are aiming to help put the Nordics on the international hospitality map.
“Oslo has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 95% by 2030. However, recycling is only 50% effective in reducing C02 emissions associated with glass use – and we are already recycling around 95% of glass here in Norway. We must change our strategy to reach our goals as a country. A new way of thinking is the only way forward. This is why ecoSPIRITS is so revolutionary for the hospitality industry. We can end single use glass through circular economy principles and a closed loop system. The circular economy is the future. And we are proud to be part of that future.”
“Coming from import & distribution I constantly monitor trends and sales. I see, every day, how much single use glass is distributed, and wasted, even in a small country like Norway. By applying circular economy principles ecoSPIRITS is drastically reducing carbon emissions, offering a much more sustainable route to market for brands and producers. Whilst bringing hospitality teams and the consumer on board by giving them an option to serve and drink in a greener way. We are excited to be the first ecoSPIRITS partner in Scandinavia and to launch this cutting-edge technology to our home market.”
Under this latest ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator partnership, the world’s 22nd ecoPLANT will be commissioned in Oslo starting in late October with onsite support from the ecoSPIRITS engineering team. ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Norway from late November, starting with bars, restaurants and hotels in Oslo. Over the first half of 2022, Spirited Animals Group plans to expand ecoTOTE™ deliveries nationwide and to offer open access to the system to a growing list of brands and distributors under the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program. Norway will also participate in the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, planting one tree for every ecoTOTE™delivered to hospitality venues.
As seen in other markets around the world, the early feedback from local bars, restaurants and hotels on ecoSPIRITS’ arrival in Norway has been overwhelmingly positive.
“At Amerikalinjen, we care about history, but also the future. As a venue, we feel it is very important to do our small part to help fight climate change. One way is to cut our carbon emissions footprint and eliminate single use waste wherever possible. Ordering our spirits in ecoTOTE™ format is a revolutionary way to do so.”
“We feel ecoSPIRITS is a bright example of how the bar industry keeps evolving by becoming more and more mindful of our contribution to environmental pollution. ecoSPIRITS is a natural fit for high volume venues. Their SmartPour technology makes in-house bottled cocktails and pre-batching easier as well. I have been following this project since their launch in Singapore in 2018 and I am extremely excited to be one of the pioneer users in Scandinavia. We will spread the word from Kranen Bar at the Edvard Munch Museum in Oslo!”
“The ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator Program is a worldwide network of experienced hospitality entrepreneurs and investors who own and operate ecoSPIRITS closed loop service in individual territories. Barney and Chris fit this mould perfectly with Spirited Animals Group. They are prime examples of the up-and-coming innovators who dare to think differently and, as a result, are driving the change in our industry and the planet so desperately need. The future is more hopeful in a world where teams like Spirited Animals Group are hard at work.”
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Norway from November 2021. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Norway can get in touch via email norway@ecospirits.global or ecospirits@spiritedanimals.no
About Spirited Animals Group
Founded in Oslo in 2021, Spirited Animals Group is a creative company within the hospitality industry. They focus on creative work through consultancy, management and projects through hotels, bars and restaurants all over the Nordics. Launched in 2021, they have already put themselves on the map by signing consultancy and partnership contracts with places such as the five-star Hotel Continental in Oslo Kansai Group in Stockholm and have already completed a restaurant opening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier this year. ecoSPIRITS is the latest addition to their growing portfolio of projects.
For more information, please visit www.spiritedanimals.no