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The Secret Garden promotes sustainability
Scottish gin producer The Secret Garden Distillery hosted a bar takeover on 30 July to promote sustainability in the spirits industry.
Held in collaboration with Nauticus and Below Stars and titled Sip and Sustain, the event brought together some of Edinburgh’s most influential bartenders and industry professionals for a day of educational talks on sustainable practices and creative cocktail-making, followed by an evening bar takeover.
The event was attended by 25 people from prominent venues, including The Finnieston, Balmoral Hotel, Devil’s Advocate and Voodoo Rooms.
Sip and Sustain was organised by Fraser Heeps from The Secret Garden Distillery, Kyle Jamieson from Nauticus and Below Stars’ Tom Kirk.
The day began with a tour of The Secret Garden’s land, where attendees were introduced to the distillery’s commitment to sustainability. Imogen Armstrong, sustainability director at The Secret Garden Distillery and Erika Haeggman, head gardener, led discussions on the distillery’s sustainable practices and regenerative gardening techniques.
“Healthy soil means healthy plants, which for us means that the botanicals harvested and distilled are of the highest quality,” explained Haegmann.
Armstrong reinforced the company’s devoted approach to sustainability: “We are so conscious of every decision we make, always considering its impact. I really believe you can taste our commitment to sustainability in each drop.”
Kirk from Below Stairs, which was recognised as the UK’s most sustainable bar as part of Franklin & Sons’ Top 50 Cocktail Bars list, provided invaluable insights into practices within the bar industry. He emphasised the importance of holistic thinking and personal well-being in sustainability efforts: “Looking after yourself and your team is the basic level of what it means to be sustainable.”
The afternoon included a cocktail competition, in which participants were challenged to craft unique cocktails using The Secret Garden’s Wild Gin, locally sourced ingredients, and fresh botanicals from the distillery’s garden. The winning cocktail by Kevin McInally from Edinburgh Street Food took centre stage at the Below Stars Bar takeover later that evening.
The Secret Garden Distillery was founded in 2012 and acquired by sisters Isobel and Imogen Armstrong in August 2022.
In April 2024, the distillery introduced a 700ml bottle made in Leeds using 70% recycled glass. The company hopes to achieve B Corp status in the near future.
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