Winner – Everleaf Drinks
Launched in 2019, alcohol-free aperitif producer Everleaf Drinks operates around a mission statement, “To draw from our deep understanding of the natural world to make the best non-alcoholic products.
“Best tasting, best for the planet.”
The approach is exemplified by the names of the three expressions in its range; Forest, Marine and Mountain. The trio are produced by the UK-based company on the basis of a ‘good-better-best’ framework for their ingredients.
‘Good’ is represented by a commitment to “avoid any botanicals at risk”. ‘Better’ sees the decision to switch from Fairtrade cane sugar to UK-grown beet sugar, resulting in a CO2 saving. And, for ‘best’, the company highlights a procurement policy that favours “B Corp-certified (Everleaf is also a B Corp), organic, Fair Trade and local/diverse suppliers”.
With carbon neutrality also secured across all of its operations, Everleaf is a worthy winner of the Sustainable Spirits Product.
Our judges said: “A consummate submission that covers so many bases of ESG that is also backed by credible, reliable information collection. Everleaf stands out boldly. “
Gold Medal – Copalli Rum
The judges were also impressed by Belize-based Copalli, specifically by the rum brand’s claim that it is “proof that world-class spirits can regenerate ecosystems, empower communities and leave the planet better than we found it”.
Backing this bold claim is a life cycle assessment, produced by soil data measurement & mapping company EarthOptics and verified by international non-profit Preferred by Nature, that confirms the brand’s rum is a carbon-negative product. Throw in a closed-loop production process at the brand’s distillery – the spent sugarcane fibre is used to power the biomass boiler – and Copalli has walked away with a gold medal.
