Maker’s Mark Shows Its Green Side With New B Corp Certification

by Gary Carter
February 1, 2022

Maker’s Mark was recently recognized as one of the world’s most inclusive and sustainable companies, as it’s the largest distillery in the world to earn B Corporation Certification.

The company said the B Corp Certification affirms years of efforts by the distillery intended to benefit the greater good and this signals a milestone in the brand’s environmentally conscious mission to “Make Your Mark. Leave No Trace.”

Rob Samuels, eighth generation whiskey maker and grandson of the founders at Maker’s Mark, said in a prepared statement that 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.

Maker's Mark B Corp Certification — Part of Maker’s Mark’s beautiful distillery. (image copyright The Whiskey Wash)

“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.”

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.

Samuels explained that the B Corp Certification is just one step in its long-term environmentally-focused mission which couples regenerative actions with comprehensive efforts to leave nothing harmful behind.

Beyond the initiatives assessed as part of B Corp Certification, Maker’s Mark has introduced several efforts to create what it feels is a more sustainable future for the spirits industry, including the establishment of 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 flavorful varieties of grain.

Maker’s Mark joins more than 4,000 Certified B Corporations around the world, including Patagonia, Burton Snowboards and Sipsmith Gin, that meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability.