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.
The L’Aubrac region is one of France’s natural heritage treasures
The famed Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris
The award-winning Little Red Door Bar in Paris
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.
LMDW’s flagship retail store on Rue d'Anjou in Paris
Whisky Live Paris is held annually in Paris
Whisky Magazine, published by LMDW
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.
Jeremy Moreau, Président, eS Operator France SAS
“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.”
Thierry Bénitah, CEO, LMDW
“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.
Alexandre Koiransky, Founder, FAIR Spirits
“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”.
The FAIR range of spirits are designed to be fair to the planet, and the farmer.
FAIR Quinoa Vodka
Guillaume Drouin and Christian Drouin (2nd and 3rd generation of the Drouin family)
“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.”
The Calvados Christian Drouin distillery in Pays d'Auge
Calvados Christian Drouin Sélection
Angélique Jullienne, Marketing and Communication Director for Maison Ferrand
“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.”
The Plantation rum range
Citadelle Gin
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.
Paul Gabie, CEO, ecoSPIRITS
“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 [email protected] or [email protected].
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.
Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Phnom Penh Skyline
PREI Cocktail Bar, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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.
Liza Kao, Co-Founder & CEO, Moonshine Spirits
“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.
The Samai Distillery in Phnom Penh
Handcrafted rums made with local Cambodian sugarcane
Daniel Pacheco, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Samai Distillery
“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
Paul Gabie, CEO, ecoSPIRITS
“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 [email protected] or [email protected].
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.
Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Norway
Karl Johans Gate on Oslo's Main Street, Norway
The award-winning Himkok Bar, Oslo, Norway
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.
Chris Grøtvedt, Director of Operations, Spirited Animals Group
“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.”
Barney Blichfeldt, Commercial Director, Spirited Animals Group
“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.
Slavomir Kytka, Bar Manager, Amerikalinjen
“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.”
Marek Novak, Bar Manager, Kranen Bar, Edvard Munch Museum
Kranen Bar, Edvard Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway
“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!”
Zdenek Kastanek, International Sales Director, ecoSPIRITS
“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 [email protected] 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
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Bermuda, Calls Attention to C02 Emissions & Rising Sea Levels
Hamilton 27 JULY 2021 ecoSPIRITS announced today that it has signed a Licensed Operator Agreement with Bermuda Gin Co., which will bring circular spirits technology to a small island nation for the first time. As part of the new partnership, Bermuda Gin Co.’s Pink House Gin and White Roof Gin will join the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program and become available across Bermuda in ecoTOTE™ format. ecoSPIRITS will also release a special Ocean Conservation edition ecoTOTE™
to call attention to the impact C02 emissions are having on sea levels, and the severe threat this poses to life in island nations worldwide.
Bermuda is a collection of 181 islands located more than 1,000 kilometres off the east coast of the United States in the North Atlantic Ocean. Home to a population of just over 60,000, the island is a vibrant tourist destination and a major insurance and reinsurance hub, famous for its pink sand beaches and clear, cerulean blue ocean waters. Like other island nations, Bermuda is threatened by rising sea levels, which are one of the most severe impacts of climate change. The island has a long and successful history with conservation efforts, dating back to a 1623 law passed to protect the local turtle population.
Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, is home to both local and international businesses and is a vibrant hospitality centre
The islands of Bermuda provide fertile shelter to important turtle populations, including five of the world’s seven sea turtle species
Founded in Bermuda in 2019 by long-time insurance executive and gin lover, Roy Fellowes, Bermuda Gin Co. is a family-owned and operated producer on a mission to put Bermuda on the world gin map by producing locally inspired gins to capture the spirit and uniqueness of Bermuda itself. The gin recipes were created around the kitchen table in Paget, Bermuda by Roy, his wife Susan and daughter Kristyn and are inspired by island life. Each gin features botanicals common to Bermuda, such as hibiscus and prickly pear.
A tribute to Bermuda’s famous pastel pink cottages, Pink House Gin is a distilled gin with hibiscus, mint and blood orange
A tribute to Bermuda’s rain-catching white roofs, White Roof Gin is a London Dry with prickly pear, citrus and cinnamon
Under the new partnership with ecoSPIRITS, Bermuda Gin Co. will take delivery of ecoPLANT No. 026, which will be sited in Bermuda and offer closed loop service from October 2021. Under the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator Program, ecoSPIRITS service will be made available to bars, restaurants and hotels across the Island as well as other spirits brands, distributors, and wholesalers who are active in the Bermuda market and wish to join the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program.
Roy Fellowes, Founder of Bermuda Gin Co.
“As the world’s largest property catastrophe reinsurance market, Bermuda knows more than most countries about sustainability and climate risk. At Bermuda Gin Co. we want to do our part in protecting the local environment and we have identified a tried and tested technology that will significantly reduce waste and carbon emissions in the local spirits drinks industry,” notes Fellowes, “We are delighted to introduce the ecoSPIRITS closed loop technology to Bermuda. I have no doubt ecoSPIRITS’ mission to eliminate single use glass bottles will resonate with local businesses and consumers. Working together, we will eliminate single use glass one very tasty Bermuda Gin & Tonic at a time.”
The grand pastel-pink Hamilton Princess has been a landmark on the waterfront of Bermuda's capital city since 1885
Timothy Morrison, General Manager, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
“This is a revolutionary move in the right direction for our industry. One of the key goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change is that carbon emissions should be reduced as soon as possible. ecoSPIRITS provides a unique and sustainable way for the hospitality and service industry to do its part,” says Morrison, “Living on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with its wonderful and all important ecosystem, shows proudly as to why this is so important. Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is proud to lead the way and partner with Bermuda Gin Co. in bringing this technology to Bermuda.”
To coincide with the launch of closed loop service in Bermuda, ecoSPIRITS will release a special limited edition ecoTOTE™ calling attention to the dire threat climate change poses to low-lying islands. The ecoTOTE 3.0S Ocean Conservation Edition, with an ocean blue enclosure, will be available only in island nations around the world.
The ecoTOTE 3.0S Ocean Conservation Edition
As a complement to the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, each Ocean Conservation Edition ecoTOTE™ will support a new ocean waste recovery program managed by Green Steps Group, ecoSPIRITS’ global C02 mitigation partners. Under this new ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program, each order of an Ocean Conservation Edition ecoTOTE™ by venue partners will fund the removal of one kilogram of single use plastic, glass and other man-made waste from protected beaches, coral reefs and waters.
Worldwide, ocean waste is a direct outcome of a single use packaging culture
Under the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program, Green Steps Group will use its proprietary technology interface to mobilise, monitor and quantify ocean waste removal from protected marine areas. Recovered ocean waste will be photographed, weighed and logged on the technology platform, providing certified impact and improving marine and beach environments for locals and tourists alike.
Green Steps Group's proprietary digital interface will power the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program
Zdenek Kastanek, International Sales Director, ecoSPIRITS
“ecoSPIRITS has long been mindful of the special impact that single use packaging and the associated carbon emissions are having on island nations. As we begin to add island markets to the ecoSPIRITS global network, ecoSPIRITS will work alongside our Licensed Operators like Bermuda Gin Co. to have a positive impact by reducing local packaging waste and restoring marine environments,” says Kastanek, “We will also use our voice in the industry to call attention to the impact that single use glass packaging in larger markets is having on these fragile island ecosystems.”
ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in Bermuda from October 2021. Bars, restaurants, hotels, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Bermuda can get in touch via email at ecoSPIRITS Bermuda or Bermuda Gin Co.
About Bermuda Gin Co.
Bermuda Gin Co. is a local, family-owned business established in October 2019. The first product Pink House Gin was launched in November 2019 with White Roof Gin hitting the local market in June 2020. Both gins are hand crafted in small batches and they have been very well received locally. They are available in bars, restaurants and hotels throughout Bermuda. The amazing bar staff working in Bermuda’s hospitality venues have created some wonderful cocktails using Pink House and White Roof Gins that are definitely worth trying. The gins are also available for retail purchase from many supermarkets and liquor stores on the Island. For Pink House and White Roof, today Bermuda, tomorrow the world.
For more information, please visit Bermuda Gin Co.
ecoSPIRITS Celebrates European Launch With The Savoy Hotel London & Portobello Road Gin
LONDON 24 JULY 2021 This month, ecoSPIRITS is celebrating its official European launch with one of the continent’s most storied hotels, The Savoy Hotel London, and the acclaimed Portobello Road Gin from Notting Hill in the British capital. Together, the companies have teamed up to create one of Europe’s most sustainable cocktail serves, The Co-Naissance Cocktail. This special serve – which is the first cocktail in Europe to use the ecoSPIRITS low waste, low carbon spirits technology – will be available at The Beaufort Bar and the Thames Foyer through the month of September.
The Co-Naissance Cocktail by The Savoy Hotel
Located on the Thames River in the heart of London, The Savoy has been one of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels for more than 130 years. The first purpose-built deluxe hotel in Britain when it opened in 1889, The Savoy has, fittingly, long been known for innovation. Over the many decades since its opening, the hotel introduced a range of innovations to the London and European market, from central hot water boilers, in-room light switches and modernised kitchen layouts in the early years to the first computerised guest records in 1984. With the hospitality industry now looking towards a more sustainable future, it is a natural fit for The Savoy to become the first hotel in Europe to serve low carbon, low waste spirits to its guests.
Beaufort Bar, The Savoy Hotel
The Thames Foyer, The Savoy Hotel
Jan-Peer Lehfeldt, Executive Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage, The Savoy
“We are on a journey to revolutionise how cocktails are developed and produced and this is just the first step, but it’s a significant one. It reflects The Savoy’s commitment to reducing waste and actively supporting the environment. We plan to continue and expand our collaboration with ecoSPIRITS – so watch this space! And we really hope that other hotels, bars and restaurants will follow suit as this can only benefit our industry and the environment.”
For a ‘Made in London’ celebratory serve, The Savoy and ecoSPIRITS selected a native spirit, London’s own Portobello Road Gin. Made from a base spirit from English-grown wheat by ninth generation distiller Charles Maxwell of The Thames Distillery, Portobello Road No. 171 Gin features juniper berries and orris from Tuscany, Spanish lemon peels, bitter orange peels from Haiti or Morocco, nutmeg from Indonesia and cassia bark from South East Asia. As an official ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner, Portobello Road Gin is now available to on-trade venues in London in ecoTOTE™ format through Mangrove UK.
Portobello Road Gin, an ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner
The Ginstitute on Portobello Road in London
Jake F. Burger, Co-Founder, Portobello Road Gin
“One of the proudest moments of my career was seeing a bottle of Portobello Road Gin on the shelves of the American Bar at The Savoy shortly after we first launched. To now be working with them on such a worthwhile endeavour as carbon emission reduction is a dream come true. I can’t wait to visit my favourite hotel bar in the world, enjoy a Co-Naissance Cocktail, congratulate Shannon Tebay on her new appointment as Head Bartender at the American Bar, and to know that in some small way we’ll be helping the world.”
Cristian Silenzi, Senior Mixologist at The Savoy
An environmentally-friendly cocktail developed by Senior Mixologist at The Savoy, Cristian Silenzi, the Co-Naissance Cocktail is the first cocktail in Europe to use the ecoSPIRITS low waste, low carbon spirits technology. This special serve brings together Portobello Road Gin in ecoTOTE™ format, re-carbonated Champagne, and two unique locally foraged London ingredients, elderflower from Little Venice and fig leaves from Embankment Gardens. The name ‘Co-Naissance’ celebrates both knowledge of the past and new beginnings, vital themes as the world emerges from a challenging period and looks to a more sustainable future.
“We are always looking for ways to innovate, so when I learnt that we were going to be working with ecoSPIRITS it made sense to me to source or create other elements to the cocktail that were sustainable as they could possibly be. So with Portobello Road Gin and our foraged ingredients we went hyper-local, and by re-carbonating Champagne, we were able to avoid waste in a premium ingredient. It is really exciting to work on new projects like this and I am proud of this collaboration and of the Co-Naissance Cocktail, which in a short time has proved to be really popular with our guests”
The ecoSPIRITS closed loop system eliminates more than 90% of the carbon emissions footprint associated with the packaging and transport of the Portobello Road Gin at the heart of the cocktail. Re-carbonated Champagne, using premium Champagne from the hotel’s restaurant service, upcycles a valuable resource that would otherwise be discarded. Local foraging of ingredients from urban London complements the sustainability theme, further minimizing carbon emissions and agricultural impact. Finally, to further the positive impact of the cocktail, ecoSPIRITS, Portobello Road Gin and The Savoy are planting one native tree in the endangered Kalimantan rainforest in Borneo, Indonesia for each Co-Naissance Cocktail served. Overall, the Co-Naissance Cocktail involves no packaging or ingredient waste, no single use glass and eliminates more than 1.8kg of C02 emissions per cocktail through waste reduction and reforestation.
ecoSPIRITS will be officially available to on trade venues in the United Kingdom from 1 August 2021. In addition to Portobello Road Gin, the launch will see a range of new spirits become available in ecoTOTE™ format. ecoSPIRITS closed loop service will be available in additional European markets before the end of 2021.
To book a table at The Savoy, please email or call +44 (0) 20 7836 4343. For more information on ecoSPIRITS in the United Kingdom, please contact ecoSPIRITS or Mangrove Global.
About The Savoy
The Savoy is the UK’s most historic luxury hotel. Right on the River Thames, it is perfectly placed at the cultural heart of one of the world’s most exciting cities. 267 rooms and suites are accompanied by some of the most well-known restaurants and bars in London, alongside magnificent and varied meeting and events space. The Savoy’s legendary service creates wonderful memories to last a lifetime. You don’t just stay at The Savoy, The Savoy stays with you.
For more information, please visit The Savoy London
About Portobello Road Gin
In late 2011, nestled above a 19th century drinking den on London’s world famous Portobello Road, three longtime friends; Ged Feltham, Jake Burger & Paul Lane decided, after amassing a staggering collection of gin and alcoholic artifacts, to open The Ginstitute, London’s premier gin making class. In the nine months of experimentation that followed, the character of their very own gin was slowly created, thus Portobello Road No. 171 was born. A timeless London Dry saluting the distillers of the past using nine time-honoured botanicals. Born on something of a whim, Portobello Road Gin has quickly established itself as a favourite amongst connoisseur consumers, bartenders and gin fans alike. Taking home its first gold medal at International Spirits Competition in 2013 and collecting awards ever since, it seems the judges are fans too.
For more information, please visit Portobello Road Gin
ecoSPIRITS Announces Global Network Details & New Climate Partner Program
SINGAPORE 15 JULY 2021 ecoSPIRITS today revealed its vision of a global network of closed loop service, bringing circular spirits packaging technology to markets both large and small. As part of this vision, ecoSPIRITS is also launching a Climate Partner Program, offering a much wider range of spirits producers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues with access the patent-pending ecoSPIRITS technology.
Since 2018, the extraordinary pace of adoption of the ecoSPIRITS system has proven the hospitality industry is in widespread agreement: a transition to circular economy principles is central to cutting greenhouse gases and securing a sustainable future in food and beverage. As evidence of this emerging consensus, more than 600 venue partners in 8 countries are now using the technology. The challenge that lies ahead is straightforward, yet daunting. With 40 billion single use glass spirit bottles used every year, how can circular packaging technology play a role at truly global scale? ecoSPIRITS’ answer is a global network of closed loop service.
The ecoSPIRITS Network
Licensed Operator Program
A worldwide network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors who own and operate ecoSPIRITS closed loop service in individual territories. Together, we make circular possible at global scale.
Climate Partner Program
A global coalition of brand partners (owners & producers), channel partners (importers, distributors & wholesalers) and venue partners (bars, restaurants & hotels) who make use of ecoSPIRITS closed loop service.
ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending system of closed loop technologies offers a proven reduction in the delivered cost of premium spirits, and a transformative reduction in single use waste and C02 footprint. To now bring these benefits to a global market, ecoSPIRITS is building a worldwide network of licensed operators of its technology. Under the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator program, experienced local spirits industry partners invest in the ecoSPIRITS hardware, receive the rights to operate the ecoSPIRITS closed loop technology in a market and commit to offering closed loop service to other industry participants.
“Since announcing the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator Program in December 2020, we have received inquiries from dozens of countries worldwide,” notes Zdenek Kastanek, International Sales Director, ecoSPIRITS, “This level of interest demonstrates the universal appeal of circular packaging to the industry. As we now work to build a global closed loop network, we will be partnering with experienced, forward-thinking brands and teams who share our vision of a circular future.”
ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending system of closed loop technologies offers a proven reduction in the delivered cost of premium spirits, and a transformative reduction in single use waste and C02 footprint. To now bring these benefits to a global market, ecoSPIRITS is building a worldwide network of licensed operators of its technology. Under the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator program, experienced local spirits industry partners invest in the ecoSPIRITS hardware, receive the rights to operate the ecoSPIRITS closed loop technology in a market and commit to offering closed loop service to other industry participants.
“Since announcing the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator Program in December 2020, we have received inquiries from dozens of countries worldwide,” notes Zdenek Kastanek, International Sales Director, ecoSPIRITS, “This level of interest demonstrates the universal appeal of circular packaging to the industry. As we now work to build a global closed loop network, we will be partnering with experienced, forward-thinking brands and teams who share our vision of a circular future.”
Over the coming months, ecoSPIRITS will announce ten new ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operators and forecasts the global closed loop network to cover more than 30 countries by the end of 2022.
To complement the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator Program, ecoSPIRITS is launching an official Climate Partner Program, which has been developed to offer the industry access to the growing network of closed loop service. This new program seeks to build a broad industry coalition of spirits producers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues who are committed to sustainability and waste reduction. Through their use of the ecoSPIRITS technology, our Climate Partners are eliminating single use glass waste, dramatically reducing C02 emissions, and supporting the reforestation of some of the world’s most endangered green tracts.
Joining the Climate Partner Program offers industry participants a range of benefits, including:
- Access to ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending closed loop service in their chosen territories, with hardware and network upkeep provided by ecoSPIRITS and our Licensed Operators.
- Official Climate Partner status, including comprehensive rights to the use of ecoSPIRITS logos, trademarks and authorised C02 and waste impact metrics and tools.
- Active reforestation management under the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, including access to the ‘proof of planting’ digital interface and dollar-for-dollar matched reforestation investment by ecoSPIRITS.
- Individualised quarterly reporting covering the C02, single use waste and reforestation impact of their use of circular packaging technology.
Under ecoSPIRITS’ unique circular hardware-as-a-service model, Climate Partners are not required to fund the capital cost of the closed loop system in their chosen markets. All closed loop hardware investment and upkeep is provided by ecoSPIRITS and our Licensed Operators. In return, brand partners and channel partners pay annual and volume-based license fees based on their usage of the network. There are no costs for venue partners to join the ecoSPIRITS network.
In celebration of the launch of the Climate Partner Program, throughout July and August ecoSPIRITS will be shining a well-deserved spotlight on both new and existing Climate Partners. These are the changemakers who are helping lead us all to a circular future.
Meet Some of Our Climate Partners
Over the coming months, ecoSPIRITS will announce ten new ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operators and forecasts the global closed loop network to cover more than 30 countries by the end of 2022.
To complement the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator Program, ecoSPIRITS is launching an official Climate Partner Program, which has been developed to offer the industry access to the growing network of closed loop service. This new program seeks to build a broad industry coalition of spirits producers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues who are committed to sustainability and waste reduction. Through their use of the ecoSPIRITS technology, our Climate Partners are eliminating single use glass waste, dramatically reducing C02 emissions, and supporting the reforestation of some of the world’s most endangered green tracts.
Joining the Climate Partner Program offers industry participants a range of benefits, including:
- Access to ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending closed loop service in their chosen territories, with hardware and network upkeep provided by ecoSPIRITS and our Licensed Operators.
- Official Climate Partner status, including comprehensive rights to the use of ecoSPIRITS logos, trademarks and authorised C02 and waste impact metrics and tools.
- Active reforestation management under the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, including access to the ‘proof of planting’ digital interface and dollar-for-dollar matched reforestation investment by ecoSPIRITS.
- Individualised quarterly reporting covering the C02, single use waste and reforestation impact of their use of circular packaging technology.
Under ecoSPIRITS’ unique circular hardware-as-a-service model, Climate Partners are not required to fund the capital cost of the closed loop system in their chosen markets. All closed loop hardware investment and upkeep is provided by ecoSPIRITS and our Licensed Operators. In return, brand partners and channel partners pay annual and volume-based license fees based on their usage of the network. There are no costs for venue partners to join the ecoSPIRITS network.
In celebration of the launch of the Climate Partner Program, throughout July and August ecoSPIRITS will be shining a well-deserved spotlight on both new and existing Climate Partners. These are the changemakers who are helping lead us all to a circular future.
Meet Some of Our Climate Partners
“We set out to create the world’s most planet positive spirits brand, and that includes embracing innovation and technology by collaborating with partners like ecoSPIRITS, who provide a brilliant solution to an age old waste problem while further improving our climate positive credentials.”
- Stephanie Jordan, CEO & Co-Founder of Avallen Spirits
“After two years of pioneering the ecoSPIRITS technology in our markets, we are delighted to see the level of worldwide interest in reducing single use glass in the industry. The introduction of closed loop packaging has been nothing short of transformative for our business. The bars we partner with have embraced ecoSPIRITS and we are looking forward to continuing to expand the platform across our markets."
“After two years of pioneering the ecoSPIRITS technology in our markets, we are delighted to see the level of worldwide interest in reducing single use glass in the industry. The introduction of closed loop packaging has been nothing short of transformative for our business. The bars we partner with have embraced ecoSPIRITS and we are looking forward to continuing to expand the platform across our markets."
- Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive Officer, Proof & Company
“Portobello Road Gin are delighted to collaborate with ecoSPIRITS and its pioneering technology. Innovation has always been at the forefront of our business and innovation surrounding sustainable production techniques, lowering carbon footprints and reducing waste has never been more important.”
“Portobello Road Gin are delighted to collaborate with ecoSPIRITS and its pioneering technology. Innovation has always been at the forefront of our business and innovation surrounding sustainable production techniques, lowering carbon footprints and reducing waste has never been more important.”
- Tom Coates, Brand Director, Portobello Road Gin
eS Climate Partner in the United Kingdom
“Innovation and evolution is essential to Paramount and partnering with likeminded organisations is a must. Sustainability is critical to long term viability and we’re happy to be able to play our part and help facilitate such a great initiative.”
“Innovation and evolution is essential to Paramount and partnering with likeminded organisations is a must. Sustainability is critical to long term viability and we’re happy to be able to play our part and help facilitate such a great initiative.”
- Leigh Rowe, Director, Paramount Liquor
“We set out to create the world’s most planet positive spirits brand, and that includes embracing innovation and technology by collaborating with partners like ecoSPIRITS, who provide a brilliant solution to an age old waste problem while further improving our climate positive credentials.”
– Stephanie Jordan, CEO & Co-Founder of Avallen Spirits
eS Climate Partner in the United Kingdom
“After two years of pioneering the ecoSPIRITS technology in our markets, we are delighted to see the level of worldwide interest in reducing single use glass in the industry. The introduction of closed loop packaging has been nothing short of transformative for our business. The bars we partner have embraced ecoSPIRITS and we are looking forward to continue to expand the platform across our markets.”
– Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive Officer, Proof & Company
eS Licensed Operator & eS Climate Partner in Singapore, China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia & New Zealand
“Portobello Road Gin are delighted to collaborate with ecoSPIRITS and its pioneering technology. Innovation has always been at the forefront of our business and innovation surrounding sustainable production techniques, lowering carbon footprints and reducing waste has never been more important.”
– Tom Coates, Brand Director, Portobello Road Gin
eS Climate Partner in the United Kingdom
“Innovation and evolution is essential to Paramount and partnering with likeminded organisations is a must. Sustainability is critical to long term viability and we’re happy to be able to play our part and help facilitate such a great initiative.”
– Leigh Rowe, Director, Paramount Liquor
eS Climate Partner in Australia
For more information on the ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator or ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Programs, please contact ecoSPIRITS
Raffles Hotel Singapore & ecoSPIRITS Blend Tradition & Sustainability in the Iconic Singapore Sling
SINGAPORE 27 JUNE 2021 In celebration of the inaugural Singapore Sling Day on 27 June, Raffles Hotel Singapore and ecoSPIRITS have announced the results of a sustainability review of the iconic Singapore Sling. In collaboration with Proof & Company and ecoSPIRITS, the Singapore Sling was revitalised in 2018 by Raffles Hotel Singapore as part of the reopening of the hotel after a two-year renovation. By using the patent-pending ecoSPIRITS technology and taking other steps to reduce waste, each new Singapore Sling saves the equivalent of 200g of C02 emissions per serve and contributes to the planting of native trees in the endangered rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia.
Developed with taste and sustainability at the fore, the revitalised Singapore Sling honours the long tradition of a cocktail widely regarded as the national drink of Singapore and first created in 1915 by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. The classic recipe of gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, curaçao, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine and bitters remains, but with improved, natural ingredients throughout and an eye to the future through a commitment to limiting single use waste and carbon footprint.
The iconic Singapore Sling, first created in 1915 at Raffles Hotel Singapore
The revitalised Singapore Sling features copper pot-distilled Widges London Dry Gin, a cherry liqueur from the Luxardo family who have produced cherry liqueurs from their own marasca cherry orchards in Italy for more than 200 years, an artisanal dry curaçao from Ferrand Cognac, an all-natural pomegranate grenadine produced exclusively for Raffles Hotel Singapore by Crawley’s, and a bespoke Scrappy’s Spice Plantation Bitters, which is prepared using local Singapore botanicals such as nutmeg, mace and cloves. The result is a Singapore Sling for modern palates, one that is fresher, less sweet and more balanced.
The revitalised Singapore Sling, with all-natural ingredients and sustainable practices.
The ecoSPIRITS low carbon, low waste technology lies at the heart of the revitalised Singapore Sling, used to dramatically reduce single use glass waste and carbon footprint for the spirit and liqueur ingredients. The gin, cherry liqueur and dry curaçao are all delivered to Raffles Hotel in patent-pending ecoTOTE™ format, saving tens of thousands of glass bottles each year. Furthering the sustainability profile of the cocktail, both the real marasca candied cherries used as garnishes and the Spice Plantation bitters are shipped in large low-waste formats, eliminating several thousand kilograms of packaging waste per year. Single use plastic straws have also been replaced with biodegradable potato starch straws.
The Singapore Sling was the first cocktail in the world to use the ecoSPIRITS technology, dating back to November 2018
The result is a Singapore Sling that is far more sustainable, led by significant reductions in single use glass waste, other packaging and service wastes and carbon (C02) emissions. For purposes of the sustainability review, C02 reductions were estimated using the ecoSPIRITS Carbon Calculator, which was developed by leading consulting firm Deloitte. In addition to the waste and C02 savings, under the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, Raffles Hotel is planting native trees in the Kalimantan and Sumatran rainforests, leaving a permanent legacy of carbon reduction and reforestation of endangered wild areas. The reforestation program yields an additional 150g of C02 sequestration per year per Singapore Sling, bringing the total to 200g of C02 reduction.
“The inaugural Singapore Sling Day honours our cherished heritage and the undisputed legacy of the Singapore Sling, an exceptional icon fashioned at Raffles Hotel Singapore that has, much like the storied luxury property, put Singapore squarely on the global map. Singapore Sling Day also recognises our constant efforts towards sustainability and innovation aligned with Accor Hotel’s Planet 21 initiative, while continuing to deliver vibrant and inimitable experiences to engage our guests and the community,” said Christian Westbeld, Managing Director, Raffles Hotel Singapore.”
– Christian Westbeld, Managing Director, Raffles Hotel Singapore
“ecoSPIRITS is proudly a ‘Born in Singapore’ technology. To be able to work with one of Singapore’s great icons – Raffles Hotel – to transition the Singapore Sling into a new era of sustainability, quality and taste is a dream come true,” notes ecoSPIRITS CEO Paul Gabie, “Raffles was the first hotel in the world to use the ecoSPIRITS technology, going back to November 2018. Their leadership in committing to green innovation and a vision of a sustainable future in food and beverage can serve as an inspiration to all of us.”
– Paul Gabie, CEO, ecoSPIRITS
About Raffles Hotel Singapore
Opened in 1887, Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Till today, its architecture is perfectly preserved both inside and out, giving it an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are more than a hundred expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandahs and white marble colonnades, clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary.
Raffles Singapore has recently undergone a careful and sensitive restoration and has fully reopened on 1 August 2019. The restoration of Raffles Singapore is designed to ensure that it retain what is so special about Raffles – the ambience, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. It is also designed for Raffles Singapore to stay relevant and distinctive by moving with the times and with its guests and adapting to the changing needs of the well-travelled and Singapore’s community.
For more information, please visit Raffles Singapore
About Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group which invites travellers to feel welcome in almost 4,800 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.
For more information, please visit Raffles | Accor Hotels
ecoSPIRITS Launches Licensed Operator Program, Starting with the United Kingdom
SINGAPORE 21 DECEMBER 2020 Building on its success across Asia Pacific over the past 18 months, ecoSPIRITS has announced a global licensed operator program, which will bring its closed loop spirits distribution technology to new markets worldwide. The first market under this new program will be the United Kingdom, where ecoSPIRITS has partnered with the team behind premium spirits importer and distributor Mangrove UK. The new partnership will bring closed loop spirits distribution to London in April 2021, with additional cities to follow over the course of the year.
ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending system of closed loop technologies offers both a substantial reduction in the delivered cost of premium spirits, and a transformative reduction in waste and C02 footprint. As one of the world’s most mature markets for premium spirits, the United Kingdom is a natural fit for this cost reduction advantage. The ecoSPIRITS circular solution to eliminating single use glass waste is also in sync with United Kingdom consumers, who are increasingly transitioning to sustainable consumption and purchasing choices.
Under the new Licensed Operator program, experienced local spirits industry partners invest in the ecoSPIRITS hardware and technologies, including the ecoPLANT™, ecoTOTE™ and SmartPour™ systems. They receive the rights to operate the ecoSPIRITS closed loop technology in a market, with comprehensive technology, engineering and product support from the ecoSPIRITS team. In return, Licensed Operators commit to offering closed loop service to other industry participants, including premium spirits brands, distributors and wholesalers who are looking to improve their cost and environmental performance.
Zdenek Kastanek, International Sales Director, ecoSPIRITS
“Since launching in Asia Pacific in late 2018, ecoSPIRITS has received inquiries from countries around the world about the prospect of closed loop service,” notes Zdenek Kastanek, ecoSPIRITS International Sales Director, “The ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator program makes this prospect a reality. Together with our local partners, such as the wonderful team behind Mangrove UK, we can scale our climate impact many times over. From a personal perspective, I am excited to have this opportunity to reconnect with so many industry friends and relationships that I developed during my years working in hospitality in London.”
Nick Gillett, Managing Director, Mangrove UK
Nick Gillett, Managing Director, Mangrove UK, added,“I have tracked the progress of ecoSPIRITS in Asia since its launch, and firmly believe their technology offers a sustainable blueprint for the UK drinks industry to follow. A number of brands in our portfolio have sustainability, environmental and Fairtrade principles at their core, and ecoSPIRITS offers us a very natural next step. The on-trade community is a driving force for change – campaigning against plastic straws, ill treatment of workers in production, treatment of waste water. ecoSPIRITS offers the potential to remove single glass from a large portion of the UK trade, in addition to commercial and logistical advantages, and deliver greater long term sustainable benefits. We are all experiencing a seismic change in the industry and revaluating everything we have previously believed in, so the question for me was – how can we not get involved?”
Founded by spirits industry veterans Nick Gillett and John Coe, Mangrove UK is a leading specialist distributor of premium spirits and liqueurs. As the anchor investor in the new United Kingdom Licensed Operator for ecoSPIRITS, Mangrove UK brings an extensive network of industry relationships, and an existing portfolio of premium spirits and liqueur brands, to the launch of closed loop service in this all-important spirits market.
The more than 500 hospitality venues that operate the ecoSPIRITS technology in Asia Pacific markets will soon be joined by leading United Kingdom hospitality operators, both large and small. As the on-trade community begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2021, reduced spirits costs, smaller carbon footprints, and sustainable consumption choices offer the prospect of a ‘green reset’ – moving forward to a more sustainable future, rather than a simple reversion to the old normal.
Every now and then there is a need for a disruption in the market place. A disruptor who understands there is a need for change, who is not afraid to challenge status quo and who goes and figures it all out and dedicates massive effort to solve the problem. ecoSPIRITS is the disruptor and a total game changer.”
“I am really excited to have ecoSPIRITS on the UK market. Reducing waste in our industry is sometimes really hard work, but in this case someone has basically done it for you while you are saving cost, which ultimately is a benefit for our guests as well. Having great spirits delivered to your bar, while helping the environment is just a beautiful thing! I cannot wait to have them over in the Mezcaleria soon.”
“Many have seen circular spirits as mission impossible. ecoSPIRITS have made it mission possible to bring the ground breaking concept to the bars to reduce the waste in bars which has a massive impact on our environment. Definitely the way forward as our industry needs to see more actions like this from drink producers.”
The first United Kingdom ecoPLANT™, the 16th worldwide, will be located in central London. More details regarding the United Kingdom launch will be released in January, including the initial portfolio of spirit brands that will be available in ecoSPIRITS format. In the meantime, spirit brands, importers, distributors and venues interested in learning more about closed loop service in the United Kingdom can reach out to ecoSPIRITS via email at [email protected] or Mangrove UK via email at [email protected]
About Mangrove
Mangrove UK was established by John Coe and Nick Gillett in 2014 and now employs over 30 specialist spirits professionals, mixologists, sales and brand experts with extensive experience in both the On and Off trade UK spirits market. Mangrove UK’s hand-picked portfolio displays heritage, innovation and commercial viability. The company has delivered measurable growth for a number of brands to become market leaders in their categories in under five years through strategic marketing and commercial advice, category education, menu creation, PR partnerships and brand activations. With over 100 routes to market, the business has grown turnover from £10.5 million in 2015 to £21.4 million in 2019. Focusing on the premium market, Mangrove UK ensures it represents the highest quality of brands by hand-selecting all products based on their provenance, category authenticity, innovation and commercial value to the trade. For more information, please visit mangrove.com
ecoSPIRITS Embarks on Journey to B Corporation Certification
SINGAPORE 11 DECEMBER 2020 ecoSPIRITS has been granted status as the first Pending B Corp in Asia, as it embarks on a year-long journey to secure the coveted B Corp Certification offered by B Lab, a global non-profit organisation. B Corps are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
ecoSPIRITS’ belief that society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and non-profits alone inspired the company to join the B Corp movement. The growing global community of certified B Corp companies, which includes impact leaders Danone, Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s, is working toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.
“ecoSPIRITS mission to end single use glass in the spirits industry has deep environmental foundations. However, we realise our work to have a positive impact cannot end there,” notes ecoSPIRITS CEO Paul Gabie, “By pledging to become a B Corp, we are committing to better understand the impact of our operations on the environment, our communities, our suppliers, our team members and others we engage in our work.”
“We are extremely excited to welcome ecoSPIRITS to the B Corp community and to partner with them on the journey to full certification in 2021. The Pending B Status provides a mark of intent for companies to manage their impact and inform stakeholders of their intent, notes Tom Stewart, Executive Director for B Market Building in Singapore and Malaysia, “ecoSPIRITS is a visionary organisation, addressing a key environmental issue, and a great business to have as the first Pending B in Asia.”
The B Corp Certification assesses the overall positive impact of a company. To be certified, companies must achieve a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous evaluation of a company’s impact on its workers, customers, community and the environment. Once completed, ecoSPIRITS’ B Corp certification score and impact assessment will be public, and available on bcorporation.net. This powerful combination of third-party validation, public transparency and legal accountability builds trust.
The patent-pending ecoTOTE 3.0, a closed loop technology for spirits distribution.
The ecoSPIRITS Forest Program supports low-income communities in the endangered Kalimantan rainforest area of Borneo.
From supply chain and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification will require ecoSPIRITS to evaluate every aspect of its business and operations with impact in mind. Just one example of the impact of the B Corp process: ecoSPIRITS will now be required to audit, monitor and support its manufacturing partners in China, who produce ecoPLANTS, ecoTOTES and other ecoSPIRITS hardware and technologies, to ensure their environmental and labour practices meet B Corp standards.
“To obtain the Pending B status, we have already completed the first step of amending our corporate constitution to include the B Corp purpose clause. It now legally requires our board of directors to balance profit and purpose,” notes Cash van Halder, ecoSPIRITS General Counsel, “To maintain transparency as we complete the journey to full B Corp Certification over the next 12 months, ecoSPIRITS will provide interim updates on our progress. And once certified, we will also be subject to a B Corp audit every three years to ensure we are maintaining high standards of positive impact, governance and transparency.”
For a young technology company with a mission of environmental impact, B Corp Certification is a natural fit. By becoming a member of the growing B Corp community, ecoSPIRITS hopes to inspire others in the spirits industry to join this movement towards a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.
About B Lab
B Lab is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies—known as B Corps—who are leading the way. To date, our community includes over 3,500 B Corps in 70 countries and 150 industries, and over 100,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager.
For more information, please visit bcorporation
ecoSPIRITS Announces ecoPLANT 2.0, Reducing Closed Loop Operating Costs
SINGAPORE 18 NOVEMBER 2020 ecoSPIRITS has produced the first units of its containerised, semi-automated spirits processing facility, the ecoPLANT 2.0. Destined for Yantai, China, Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia, the first units of the ecoPLANT 2.0 technology will go into service in late December. Additional ecoPLANT 2.0 units will be deployed to international markets in the coming months.
Introducing the ecoPLANT 2.0
The ecoPLANT is a cornerstone of the ecoSPIRITS closed loop solution for premium spirit distribution. An upgraded version of the original ecoPLANT technology, the ecoPLANT 2.0 is a containerised, semi-automated spirits processing facility engineered to meet international food safety standards and best practices. ecoPLANT 2.0 units provide high-efficiency, hygienic ecoTOTE cleaning, sanitisation and refilling in line with the standards of leading international distilleries. When paired with the ecoTOTE™ and SmartPour™ technologies, the ecoPLANT completes an innovative closed loop system that eliminates more than 95% of the packaging waste and as much as at 80% of the carbon footprint of spirits production, distribution and consumption.
The ecoSPIRITS closed loop system for spirits distribution
The ecoPLANT 2.0 offers a broad array of performance upgrades over the first generation ecoPLANT technology, which was originally deployed in early 2019. First and foremost, the containerised ecoPLANT 2.0 design and upgraded, semi-automated cleaning, sanitisation and filling equipment dramatically improves closed loop efficiency, allowing for the processing of up to 400 ecoTOTES per day with three operators. A single ecoPLANT 2.0 can eliminate more than 40,000 single use glass spirit bottles – equivalent to 22,000 kg of carbon emissions – per month when operating at full capacity. This multi-fold increase in processing capacity reduces closed loop operating costs by as much as 70% over the prior generation ecoPLANT.
An efficient, modular solution to closed loop spirits processing
At its essence, the ecoPLANT technology is a miniaturised bottling and spirits processing facility designed to fit comfortably within a customised 20-foot shipping container. This ensures that all spirits handling takes place in a clean room environment that meets or exceeds international distillery standards. Each ecoPLANT 2.0 is equipped with automated sanitisation and filling stations in an air conditioned work environment, supplemented with spirits filtration, pre-rinsing, and additional safety and hygiene features. ecoTOTE processing takes place in a continuous loop, utilising automated conveyors to reduce operator movement and strain.
Continuous process for operator efficiency
Hygienic, clean room environment
Setting gold standards in hygiene, food safety and quality control was a core objective of the ecoPLANT 2.0 project. The standard ecoPLANT 2.0 is compliant with Food Standards Australia and New Zealand for Food Premises and Equipment, as well as the National Food Safety Standard for Food Production in China. Individual ecoPLANT units can tailored to specific food safety and production regulations of any country during the manufacturing process. Spirits filtration standards, as well as spirits handling, sampling and analysis, can also be adjusted to the requirements of individual spirits producers, dovetailing with existing production standards and controls in place at their distilleries.
Distillery grade process engineering
Gravimetric filling for speed and accuracy
The modular, containerised design of the ecoPLANT 2.0 allows for rapid deployment to any global spirits market, opening the prospect of expanded access to closed loop service for spirit brands, distributors and hospitality venues. Each ecoPLANT 2.0 arrives in its destination market fully equipped for operations, requiring just 24 hours for commissioning at a new site. For production operations, the ecoPLANT 2.0 requires three-phase power supply, as well as compressed air and cold water. With comprehensive onsite commissioning and production training from the ecoSPIRITS engineering team, activating closed loop spirits distribution in a new market is a seamless experience.
“ecoSPIRITS is committed to moving the spirit industry in the direction of a circular future. With the release of the ecoPLANT 2.0, we are now able to make closed loop spirits distribution even more efficient and cost effective,” notes ecoSPIRITS CEO Paul Gabie, “Despite the challenges 2020 has brought to our industry, we are convinced that the future is green and the future is bright.”