As we face climate change and energy crises, sustainability is no longer a buzzword; it is a necessity. The whisky industry has an opportunity to break convention and innovate for a better future, and Waiheke Whisky is taking the lead in this movement. In this blog post, we explore the sustainable packaging choices made by Waiheke Whisky.

Why Ship Heavy Bottles Around the World? We won’t.

Why do whisky manufacturers ship heavy bottomed glass bottles weighing over a kilo around the world? Waiheke Whisky asked this question and decided to use recycled glass for their bottles. While it may not be considered a premium material, the focus for Waiheke Whisky is on the liquid, the story, and their place in the whisky diaspora. The bottle design incorporates their two stills, with the neck being their onion-shaped wash still and the base featuring the geodesic design from the shoulders of the spirit still.

Screw Cap: Closure on the Matter

Waiheke Whisky made the decision to use a screw cap for their bottles instead of cork. While cork is a renewable resource, gluing it onto a plastic, wooden, or metal stopper defeats its environmental advantages. Shipping cork closures from Portugal to New Zealand, where Waiheke Whisky is based, also adds to the carbon footprint. In addition, the failure rate and impact on the liquid of a cork closure made it an impractical choice for Waiheke Whisky. By using a screw cap, Waiheke Whisky can use recycled materials and recyclable liners. The bottle can also be reused in their recycling program.

The Sensory Impact of the Screw Cap

While the satisfying thunk of a cork closure may be missed, for a new generation of world whisky drinkers, the screw cap is a symbol of innovation, safety, challenging the status quo, and preserving the liquid for as long as possible. Waiheke Whisky is a craft distillery, and using a screw cap allows them to maintain quality control over their product.

The Genius of Waiheke Whisky's Box

Waiheke Whisky's box is a work of art. It is square on each end, with a twist in the middle, and is made in New Zealand using recycled cardboard and vegetable dyes. The colours chosen for each expression of their whisky echo the colours of Waiheke Island, where the distillery is based. The box can be recycled or composted without harming the environment.

Conclusion

Waiheke Whisky has taken a radically different approach to whisky packaging. Every single part of their packaging, from the bottle to the box, has been carefully considered to be transparently sustainable. Their innovative choices in packaging, combined with their use of renewable energy to power their distillery, make Waiheke Whisky a leader in sustainable whisky production. They have shown that sustainability is not just a buzzword; it is a necessity for the future of our planet.

Come and visit us at The Heke for a tasting, a tour and a great conversation!