Copalli Rum was named Global Drinks Intel’s ‘ESG Spirits Producer of the Year’ in 2025. What recent ESG initiative or improvement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of how we’ve continued to deepen Copalli’s carbon-negative and circular production model, not as a standalone initiative but as an integrated way of operating. Our approach connects responsible agriculture, renewable energy and waste repurposing into one closed-loop system.
For example, our sugarcane is grown locally and sustainably, and the by-products of rum production are not treated as waste. Instead, they are reintegrated back into the land and the local agricultural cycle. This closed-loop system is a major part of how we reduce environmental impact while also supporting long-term soil health and biodiversity.
Ultimately, we’re demonstrating that a premium spirits brand can be built with world-class quality and world-class responsibility, proving that sustainability can be a core business strategy, not an afterthought.
What one piece of advice would you give companies looking to strengthen their ESG performance?
Strong ESG performance comes from designing sustainability into the supply chain, sourcing practices and community relationships from the very beginning. For Copalli, that means regenerative farming, carbon-negative production and ensuring that local communities benefit directly from the success of the brand.
Consumers and partners are increasingly sophisticated. They can tell the difference between surface-level claims and authentic impact. My advice is simple: focus on substance first, storytelling second.
Has winning a Global Drinks Intel ESG Award impacted your approach?
It’s been incredibly rewarding, not only externally as a way to communicate what we have accomplished, but also internally as a celebration of the processes and commitments we put in place from the very beginning.
Recognition like this is a signal that the industry is paying attention, and that we have an opportunity to lead by example.
