Just creating excellent liquid isn’t enough for some spirits brands – many want to do more, so we’ve rounded up 10 producers that are going the extra mile for our planet and its inhabitants.

From the conservation of endangered species to looking after the agriculture of our planet, conservation projects are becoming the raison d’etre for many spirits brands. Here, we’ve looked at 10 producers that have made it their mission to help the planet, one drop of liquid at a time.

Spearhead Spirits

Taking the fundamental role the baobab tree plays in communities across the African continent seriously is African spirits company Spearhead Spirits which recently announced its partnership with Ho Technical University in Ghana to support its efforts in the conservation of the tree.

Known as the tree of life, the baobab tree does everything, from providing water to shelter for those across the continent, and it is even the inspiration for Spearhead’s Bayab Gin, in which baobab fruit sits at the heart and allows for its unique citrus flavour.

Spearhead’s founders, Damola Timeyin and Chris Frederick, said: “When we launched Spearhead Spirits, it was our aim to ensure that everything we did on the continent of Africa was not only sustainable, but value driven. Through this partnership with Ho Technical University, we want to ensure that every bottle of Bayab sold, represents a positive contribution to the preservation of what we believe is one of the most important tree crops in the world, what it means in cultural significance to our heritage, and to the communities where our baobabs are sourced.”

The White Rhino Gin Co

London Dry gin Urban Rhino is said to seamlessly combine authenticity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to rhino conservation in everything it does.

With a recipe of six botanicals, Urban Rhino Gin actively contributes to the fight against rhino extinction.

Owner Pete Richardson was part of the team that took action to save the orphaned rhino babies in the Waterberg area of Limpopo in South Africa when the rhino poaching crisis hit the headlines back in 2012. He then went on to establish the world’s first purpose-built facility – The Rhino Orphanage, Urban Rhino Gin’s charity partner, which works to protect and conserve both rhinos and their habitat.

Uhuru Spirits

Uhuru is a passion project with a purpose that started when John Ferguson, wildlife enthusiast and co-founder of Uhuru owner Young Spirits, fell in love with African wildlife on a trip to the continent. His childhood adventures searching for his favourite animals turned into a passion for conservation and eventually a passion project, named Uhuru.

The Uhuru range, which comprises rum and whisky, is created and bottled by the team at the Edinburgh-based bottling and spirits company, and 10% of the brand’s net sales are donated to wildlife charity Tusk, which supports African wildlife conservation.

Godawan Whisky

Godawan is an Indian single malt whisky that is dedicated to saving the endangered Great Indian Bustard, better known as the Godawan, from extinction.

Since it was founded a year ago, Godawan has invested more than 11 million rupees (£100,000/US$127,300) into protecting 200 acres of feeding and nesting habitat for these rare birds.

Looking to create the next chapter in the Godawan story, the brand, alongside Diageo India and The Butterfly Cannon, launched the Godawan 100 Series – an ultra-limited edition drop of 100 bottles, with all proceeds going towards the conservation of the last 100 Godawan birds.

The designs for the Godawan 100 Series raise the profile of the plight of the bird through a ‘tangible reminder’ of their extreme rarity. Each of the bottles have been hand-etched, with golden illustrations of the Godawan birds to highlight how important every single remaining Godawan bird is.

Elephant Gin 

Since Elephant Gin’s inception 10 years ago, 15% of bottle profits have been donated to elephant conservation projects in Africa.

In the first quarter of 2022, Elephant Gin surpassed €1 million (US$1m) in donations to support elephant conservation projects, and by 2025, founders Tessa and Robin Gerlach hope to have raised their second million. To help them get there, in August 2022 they launched The Elephant Gin Foundation. Headquartered in London, the non‐profit organisation is responsible for managing the distribution of funds, and works to preserve elephant habitats.

“With this foundation, we can now do fundraising, we can do wider campaigns and encourage people to donate directly to the foundation. We also have the opportunity for other foundations to apply for a grant then make decisions on the best possible elephant conservation projects.”

Last month the brand launched its on-trade Wildlife Warrior campaign, which has seen 100 participating bars across five countries create a bespoke Elephant Gin menu for a three-month period, running from 12 July-12 October. For every Elephant Gin cocktail sold, a donation from each bar will be made to the Elephant Gin Foundation, which will distribute the funds to Big Life Foundation.

Avallen

Since launching in 2019, B Corp-certified calvados brand Avallen has been on a mission to act against the climate crisis and inspire both inside and out of the drinks industry, by giving back more than it takes.

Founders Stephanie Jordan-Balmforth and Tim Etherington-Judge have the planet at the heart of all they do, and donate to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust via the 1% for the Planet initiative.

Furthermore, on World Bee Day this year (20 May), the brand launched a campaign in bars and venues across the country to raise awareness of the plight of the ‘perfect pollinators’. The activation saw bars and hospitality venues up and down the UK serve a special cocktail, and for each serve sold, Avallen donated £1 to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Papa’s Pilar rum

Aside from being an ultra-premium rum designed for cocktails, Papa’s Pilar, inspired by Ernest Hemingway, is a brand that works to continue the notorious adventurer’s ocean conservation efforts.

In particular, Papa’s Pilar works closely with organisations and non-profits dedicated to rebuilding our ocean’s coral reefs.

To date, they’ve donated millions of dollars throughout the years alongside the Hemingway family to organisations such as the International Game Fish Association and Pen International, and have established a 10-year goal to plant more than five million coral reefs in our oceans, making them a spirit you can feel good about sipping on.

Dos Primos Tequila

The Dos Primos Tequila Company – founded by country music superstar Thomas Rhett and his cousin Jeff Worn – recently renewed its partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to support land restoration and water conservation efforts in Mexico.

The company pledged US$50,000 to TNC to continue its conservation work in the Tehuacán Valley located southeast of Jalisco, Mexico, where Dos Primos Tequila produces its blanco, reposado, and recently launched añejo, Tequilas.

The Tehuacán Valley is said to be the most biologically diverse arid region in North America and is home to a remarkable 70% of the world’s plant families, including wild agaves, ‘cousins’ of the Tequila and mezcalero agaves.

The valley is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and has been recognised by Unesco as a Mixed World Heritage Site for its exceptional natural and cultural values.

Dos Primos’ efforts include integrating sustainable agroforestry systems and replenishing adjacent streams and bodies of water, as well as increasing the availability of fresh water by millions of gallons each year for nature and people.

Café del Mar spirits

Gin and vodka producer Café del Mar Spirits is all about giving back to the Balearic islands of Ibiza, and every bottle sold helps to support Ibiza Preservation, a foundation that promotes the conservation of the value and beauty of the islands. It specifically raises awareness and funds conservation of the Posidonia – the seagrass meadows of Ibiza, to help ensure crystal-clear waters and beautiful sunsets for generations to come.

Café del Mar spirits is also plastic free – using recycled glass, biodegradable seals and sustainably sourced natural cork stoppers to help preserve the environment.

Hawksbill rum

Hawksbill rum is on a mission to help save the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, from which it gets its name, while bringing delicious rum to the people.

Like other sea turtles, hawksbills make incredible migratory journeys in order to move from feeding sites to nesting grounds, normally on tropical beaches. Coastal development with luxury resorts have unfortunately made it difficult for these turtles to find a suitable nesting place, and their numbers are therefore beginning to dwindle.

The brand has therefore partnered with the Barbados Sea Turtle Project to donate 10% of its profits from every bottle of its Caribbean Spiced Rum, Pineapple Spiced Rum and Mango Spiced rum sold towards supporting their work and the conservation of turtle habitats on the island.

In other conservation news…

Sir Edmond Gin recently partnered with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) to offer a donation to the charity for every bottle it sells.

In addition, Portofino Dry Gin teamed up with One Ocean Foundation to support the conservation of the marine and coastal environment.

Furthermore, Beam Suntory and its parent company, Suntory Holdings, pledged more than US$4 million to restore 1,300 hectares of peatlands by 2030.