Bruichladdich stars in B Corp film series
Rémy Cointreau-owned Bruichladdich features as the only distillery in the B Lab Global series produced by BBC StoryWorks, which highlights businesses that are fostering global change.
The new series focuses on B Corp-certified companies worldwide championing positive environmental and social impact.
Bruichladdich Distillery will be featured in a seven-minute film as part of the series, which will be available to audiences worldwide in May.
The focused piece offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at life at Bruichladdich, showcasing its Victorian-era stills and its collaborations with local Islay farmers and foragers. The short film emphasises how the distillery is addressing global challenges from its small island base.
Adam Hannett, head distiller of Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “Our location is both a privilege and a responsibility. We’ve always believed we could make exceptional whisky while protecting our environment, supporting our community, and being open about the challenges that come with that.”
A central theme of the film is Bruichladdich’s commitment to regenerative agriculture. In 2024-25, more than half of the barley used in their whisky production was sourced from Islay. The company aims to increase this percentage through long-term partnerships with local farmers.
The film features scenes from The Botanist Gin foraging program, with island-based forager Kate Hannett, Adam’s sister, hand-picking 22 native Islay botanicals, including meadowsweet and wild mint, that are used in the spirit, while helping to preserve local biodiversity.
Douglas Taylor, CEO of Bruichladdich, commented: “This film provides a platform to share our story on the global stage. We don’t do things because they’re the cheapest, easiest, or most efficient way to operate, but because they’re the right way and produce the best spirits.
“Since reopening our Hebridean site in 2001, we have set out to prove that a whisky business could be about more than what’s in the bottle. Focusing on our raw ingredients, making informed environmental choices, and putting Islay at the heart of our decision-making has been imperative over the years, and we remain passionate about connecting land, community, and dram today.”
Bruichladdich’s inclusion in the B Lab series is said to shine a spotlight on sustainable practice within the traditionally conservative Scotch whisky sector.
Environmental efforts
Founded in 1881 and revived in 2001, Bruichladdich became the first Scotch whisky distillery in the world to achieve B Corp certification in 2020.
The distillery was re-certified in 2023 with an improved B Impact Score of 100.7, reportedly placing it among the highest-scoring whisky producers globally.
Bruichladdich has committed to eliminating fossil fuels from its distillation process by 2030, which is 15 years ahead of Scotland’s net-zero target. The distillery currently uses GreenFlame, a renewable heating oil, and recycles waste heat generated during production.
Additionally, the packaging for its Classic Laddie bottle now has a carbon footprint that is 65% smaller.
The company also promotes soil health and sustainable agriculture through a long-term partnership with Genesis, the world’s most comprehensive soil mapping tool, and The Botanist Foundation, its conservation charity.
Hannett added: “We’re doing things that nobody in the history of whisky making on Islay has done before – that’s a privilege. Coming from the island and to be involved in its heritage, that’s a really nice moment.
“This film is a moment for the whole island. It showcases Islay’s farming, foraging and distilling traditions, which are all so deeply interconnected. Being able to tell that story on a global stage is incredibly powerful.”
The full series, part of a global campaign by B Lab Global, will be available to view online at the Common Good Collection website from May 2025.
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