When a corporation is B Corp certified, it’s a nice but unfortunately rare achievement. While not completely unique in the spirits world, Maker’s Mark appears now to be the largest distillery in the world to earn this certification (via The Drinks Business).
A little background: There are 4,000+ Certified B Corporations around the world, all of which have to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance. The non-profit B-Lab, which certifies these companies, looks at everything from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
On Wednesday, Maker’s Mark announced the distillery had achieved this certification. “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,” as Rob Samuels, 8th-generation Whisky Maker and grandson of the founders at Maker’s Mark, said in a statement. “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 or exceeding benchmarks across five categories of the B Impact Assessment: Community, Customers, Environment, Governance and Workers. Some key initiatives in these areas from the bourbon brand include a distillery-wide landfill plan, onsite recycling that’s open to the larger community, a natural water sanctuary, regenerative farming practices, solar power for the Maker’s Mark warehouses and partnering with The LEE Initiative to feed more than 1.5 million hospitality workers in the U.S. High wages, plus strong advancement and job training opportunities, were also credited for the recent certification.
Some other Certified B Corporations include Patagonia, Bellroy, Allbirds and Cotopaxi, and (for booze) Sipsmith Gin, New Belgium Brewing and Sunday’s Finest. B Corps become certified through verification by B Lab and undergo verification every three years.
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