Maker's Mark to leave no trace

Kentucky based bourbon maker, Maker’s Mark, has earned B Corporation Certification, the largest distillery in the world to do so.

The Kentucky based distillery Maker’s Mark achieved B Corp Certification by meeting and exceeding benchmarks across five categories of the B Impact Assessment: Community, Customers, Environment, Governance and Workers.

“Being recognised as a B Corp certified company is a true testament to the continued efforts of Maker’s Mark globally to embody the company’s environmentally conscious mission to ‘Make Your Mark. Leave No Trace,’’ said Beam Suntory Marketing Director ANZ, Trent Chapman.  

Key efforts recognised as part of the scoring and certification include the following:   

• Maker’s Mark is a spirits industry leader in its environmental practices, implementing innovative programs at its property on Star Hill Farm to preserve the natural resources that go into making its whisky and better the world around it. Initiatives include a distillery-wide zero landfill initiative, an onsite recycling program , the establishment of a natural water sanctuary protecting the watershed at Star Hill Farm and the implementation of solar energy.

• The bourbon producer is renowned for its community and philanthropic efforts, having invested millions of dollars in the hospitality industry, local Kentucky causes and the arts since its founding more than 65 years ago.

• Maker’s Mark has earned a decades-long reputation as an employer with workplace opportunities that exceed the industry standard. The company offers generous benefits and compensation, including the highest wages in its community, opportunities for advancement, job training and tuition assistance for employees; and six months paid maternity leave. 

“Since 1953, my grandparents instilled a sense of responsibility here at Maker’s Mark that started with the way we make our bourbon and extended to the way we impact the lives of our teams, our customers, our communities and our shared environment,” said Rob Samuels, eighth generation whisky maker and grandson of the Maker’s Mark founders.   

“That commitment to a higher purpose continues to live on, both here in Kentucky and beyond. I am so proud of our team’s tireless efforts that have earned us B Corp certification, and I’m even more excited to continue pioneering social and environmental initiatives that benefit the future of bourbon and greater good for all.”

Beyond the initiatives assessed as part of B Corp Certification, Maker’s Mark has introduced several innovative efforts to create a more sustainable future for the spirits industry:

• establishing the world’s largest repository of American White Oak trees for research purposes
• a first-of-its-kind genome mapping project of the American White Oak species and
• regenerative farming practices to enrich soil for more robust and flavourful varieties of grain.  

¹IRI Data 2021.