Re-opening
Re-opened after seven years of closure. Would win Distillery of the Year for the first time, again subsequently in 2003, 2006 and 2007
Milestones
A timeline of achievements
2001
2003
bottling hall
Opening of on-site bottling hall, no longer outsourced to Scottish Mainland
2003
2005
Queen’s Award
Bruichladdich wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise
2010
anaerobic digester
Energy from anaerobic digester tested
2010
2010
The Botanist Gin
The Botanist Gin is first distilled
2011
Energy Institute
Winner of The Energy Institute Environment Award
2011
2011
Wastewater Heating
Circulation system installed using wastewater from the stills to heat distillery offices, bottling hall and visitor centre.
2011
Circulation system
Circulation system installed, using wastewater from the stills to heat distillery offices, bottling hall and visitor centre
2011
2015
Phil Sharp
Sponsorship of PS Racing begins; solo trans-Atlantic sailor and engineer active in renewables research including ‘race to zero emissions’
2015
THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION
The Botanist Foundation is established by then-CEO Simon Coughlin, Jim McEwan retired Master Distiller, CEO Douglas Taylor, our late Head of Communications Carl Reavey and original botanists Richard and Mavis Gulliver. The Foundation would go on to support the RSPB on Islay, the Nature of Scotland awards, wildflower, biodiversity & pollinator initiatives and funding for a PHD student to explore conservation of Scottish juniper.
2015
2017
Tree planting
Planting of 7,500 trees around our Coultorsay warehouses
2017
Pollinator Initiative
Collaborative research with the Islay Pollinator Initiative funded by The Botanist Foundation
2017
2018
landfill reduction
Between 2018 and 2019, we would divert 126 tonnes of landfill by recycling or reusing
2018
Wildflower conservation
We have also worked to preserve wildflower populations throughout the distillery grounds. Some of our farming partners have also introduced wildflower conservation strips in barley fields to promote biodiversity, including sunflower strips.
2018
2018
volunteer work
Between 2018 and 2019, we completed 539 hours of volunteer work for our local community during work hours
2019
Purchase of Shore House Croft
We purchased ‘Shore House Croft’. These 30 acres of unused croft land surround the distillery and will be used for research and development into sustainable agriculture.
2019
2019
Living Wage
Certified as Living Wage Employer. Improved maternity pay and flexible working introduced. Cycle to work scheme introduced and +11% headcount recruited .
2019
electric cars
Distillery introduces two fully-electric cars for business travel
2019
2020
100% green electricity
From 1st May, 100% of the distillery’s electricity is sourced renewably in the UK
2020
we are a CERTIFIED B CORPORATION
In May, we became the first whisky and gin distillery in Europe to become certified B Corporation.
2020
2020
our people
80 people now work for our distillery on Islay, a further 23 are based at our Glasgow office. In our 103 strong team, a diverse age range is represented, from 19 – 75 years of age. 61 are under the age of 40, 28 of those are under 30. A total of 43 are female. Eight of our 18 senior management are female. Those who have been promoted internally or have moved departments to increase their work/life balance total 41.
2020
Botanic Gardens
The Botanist partners with the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) to provide funding through The Botanist Foundation. The Global Botanic Garden Fund enables gardens to fund projects that further their work in the prevention of extinction of plants. So far we’ve supported projects in Italy, Uganda, Hawaii, Mexico and South Africa.
2020