Bruichladdich Distillery has been featured in a new global film series, highlighting its sustainability efforts. The distillery is the only spirits producer featured in the series, which spotlights businesses making significant environmental and social impacts.
The seven-minute documentary, presented by B Lab Global and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, offers viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how this remote Hebridean distillery is setting sustainability benchmarks for the whisky industry.
Bruichladdich’s B-Corp History
“Our location is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Head Distiller Adam Hannett, who was born and raised on Islay and is featured prominently in the film. “We’ve always believed we could make exceptional whisky while protecting our environment, supporting our community, and being open about the challenges that come with that.”
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READ THE STORYThe documentary highlights Bruichladdich’s focus on regenerative agriculture, with more than half of the barley used in its 2024/25 whisky production grown on Islay itself.
Local farming partner Andrew Jones of Coull Farm appears in the film discussing the distillery’s agricultural innovations. “Farming here isn’t easy – the climate, the terrain, the remoteness – but working with Bruichladdich has opened up new possibilities,” said Jones. “It’s farming that gives back to the land, not just takes from it.”
Community and Environmental Commitments
With a workforce exceeding 100 people, many of whom live on Islay, Bruichladdich has implemented a Real Living Wage and Living Hours policy, alongside caregiver support and cost-of-living allowances for local employees.
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The distillery also has pledged to eliminate fossil fuels from its distillation process by 2030, 15 years ahead of Scotland’s net-zero target. It already uses GreenFlame, a renewable heating oil, and recycles waste heat from production.
The B Lab Series
Filmed locally on Islay, the B Lab Global and BBC StoryWorks film showcases Islay’s natural, rugged beauty, as well as shots of the distillery. Bruichladdich is one of the few distilleries that distills, matures, and bottles its whisky on the island.
Chief Executive Douglas Taylor said the film provides a platform to demonstrate that small businesses can drive substantial positive change.
“This film provides a platform to share our story on the global stage. We don’t do things because they’re the cheapest, easiest, or most efficient way to operate, but because they’re the right way, and produce the best spirits,” Taylor said.
The film also features The Botanist Gin foraging program, where island-based forager Kate Hannett (sister of Bruichladdich Master Distiller, Adam Hannett) hand-picks 22 native Islay botanicals while preserving local biodiversity.
Bruichladdich, An Interconnected Distillery
Adam Hannett reflected on Bruichladdich’s production model, and what the film means to both the distillery team and the island community as a whole: “We’re doing things that nobody in the history of whisky making on Islay has done before – that’s a privilege. Coming from the island and to be involved in its heritage, that’s a really nice moment.
“This film is a moment for the whole island. It showcases Islay’s farming, foraging and distilling traditions, that are all so deeply interconnected. Being able to tell that story on a global stage is incredibly powerful.”
The documentary will be released online in May as part of a global campaign by B Lab Global and will be available to view at commongoodcollection.com.
