Whisky Distillers Turn Up the Heat on Carbon Reduction
Beam Suntory, Kilchoman, Glenmorangie, and a growing number of global whisky makers are stepping up their climate commitments by investing in carbon reduction strategies and clean energy systems. From Kentucky to Islay, these distilleries are moving beyond offsetting—choosing to decarbonise operations at the source using renewable natural gas, solar power, and circular energy technologies.
As the whisky sector reckons with climate change’s impact on production and resource access, carbon neutrality is shifting from a long-term ambition to a near-term mandate.
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Key Takeaways
Beam Suntory’s $400M RNG project at Jim Beam turns distillation by-products into renewable natural gas (RNG).
Kilchoman has implemented a multi-phase solar strategy, cutting reliance on Islay’s grid.
Glenmorangie’s DEEP Project converts residues into bioenergy for on-site reuse.
Industry-wide uptake of ISO 14001 is driving consistent environmental performance.
More distillers are embedding renewables into production to future-proof whisky.
Beam Suntory: Turning Stillage Into Renewable Natural Gas
At the Booker Noe distillery in Boston, Kentucky, Beam Suntory is building a closed-loop energy future. In partnership with 3 Rivers Energy Partners, the distillery is converting fermentation stillage—a high-moisture grain by-product—into renewable natural gas (RNG). The $400 million project is one of the most ambitious of its kind in the spirits industry.
The new system uses anaerobic digestion and RNG upgrading to power approximately 65% of the site’s energy needs, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50%. It’s a cornerstone of the company’s “Proof Positive” strategy to reach net-zero emissions across direct operations by 2040.
“This facility isn’t just a sustainability initiative—it’s part of our core energy infrastructure,” said a Beam Suntory spokesperson.
The project also produces nutrient-rich by-products suitable for agricultural use, further closing the loop.
Image: proterra-energy.com | Kilchoman Distillery’s 50 kW solar array on Islay generates over 40,000 kWh per year, helping power production and reduce reliance on the grid.
Kilchoman: Solar Power on Islay
Remote but resolute, Kilchoman Distillery has become a model for distributed clean energy in Scotch whisky production. Working with renewable specialists Proterra Energy, Kilchoman installed its first off-grid 50 kW solar array in 2022 to supply power to its remote bonded warehouses. Following the success, a second roof-mounted 50 kW PV array was added to the production facility, offsetting over 40,000 kWh annually.
The solar rollout is now being expanded with intelligent controls to store and redirect excess energy to pre-heat water and support mash operations—cutting reliance on Islay’s diesel-backed grid and lowering long-term energy costs.
“Investing in on-site renewables gives us energy security while delivering environmental gains,” said Anthony Wills, Kilchoman’s founder.
Glenmorangie: Bioenergy and Environmental Certification
Glenmorangie’s environmental programme centres on energy reuse, circularity, and rigorous environmental governance. It is one of a growing number of distilleries certified under ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems.
The Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP) is a multi-year initiative that blends marine restoration with energy innovation. Glenmorangie’s anaerobic digestion unit captures energy from spent lees and pot ale—residues from fermentation—and converts them into biogas. This bioenergy is reused on-site, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The project aligns with Glenmorangie’s long-standing commitment to protect the Dornoch Firth, home to a restored native oyster reef that also improves local water quality.
Also Leading: Nc’nean’s Organic Net-Zero Model
On the Morvern peninsula, Nc’nean Distillery operates Scotland’s first net-zero certified distillery, powered entirely by biomass boilers, on-site renewables, and recycled materials. The distillery sources all organic Scottish barley and packages its whisky in 100% recycled glass bottles—a UK industry first.
Nc’nean reports a 97.5% waste diversion rate and publishes annual environmental data, setting a transparency benchmark. Its commitment to low-impact distilling is matched by a limited-run production model, reinforcing the link between sustainability and craft scale.
What’s Next for Whisky & Carbon Goals?
With energy accounting for a significant portion of whisky’s carbon footprint, producers across the spectrum—from multinationals to independents—are accelerating toward clean energy adoption.
Expect further investment in:
Anaerobic digestion systems that recover and reuse heat and methane
Wind and solar microgrids adapted to rural distillery landscapes
Electrified still heating replacing oil and gas burners
Carbon capture and reuse tied to fermentation CO₂ streams
Regulatory momentum, supply chain pressures, and consumer preference for “climate-smart” brands are likely to drive even more aggressive climate action across the whisky industry in the next decade.
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