Spotlight: Nc’nean Distillery

Cheers to Nc’nean Distillery… pioneering sustainable spirits and the #SeeingGreen Solutionist of the Day for August 30.

Nc’nean Distillery is a modern standout in the Scotch whisky world -- small in scale but mighty in impact. Founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas, this organic Highland distillery is on a mission to create experimental spirits and pioneer sustainable production. Located on the west coast of Scotland, Nc’nean takes its name from Neachneohain, a Gaelic goddess and fierce protector of nature, an ethos the brand fully embraces. 

What makes Nc’nean particularly remarkable is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. The distillery runs on 100% renewable energy, powered via a biomass boiler fueled by locally sourced woodchip and supplemented with renewable electricity. Their most important ingredient – barley -- is farmed organically, supporting biodiversity, water quality and soil health by avoiding artificial pesticides and fertilizers. The Distillery estimates that one bottle of their organic spirit equates to securing one square meter of biodiversity and soil health.

Nc’nean uses 100% post-consumer recycled glass to cut each bottle’s carbon footprint by 40%, finishes with a natural cork and wooden top and prints directly on the glass using non-toxic water-based inks. They allow their UK direct buying customers to send their used bottles back to the distillery free of charge to be put back into the whisky world. 

As a zero-waste-to-landfill distillery, Nc’nean sent just 0.06% of waste to landfill in 2023–2024, reuses materials wherever possible and repurposes its pot ale as fertilizer and draff as cattle feed on local farms.

Nc’nean was verified in 2021 as the UK’s first net zero distillery for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by Environmental Strategies Limited, achieved by minimizing emissions as much as possible and partnering with Highland Carbon to offset the remainder through certified forest protection carbon removal credits.

Nc’nean is the highest-scoring distillery in the world for the B Corp certification process. Nc’nean isn’t just crafting award-worthy spirits, it’s redefining what truly sustainable whisky can look like and inviting the broader industry to follow suit.

About the "#SeeingGreen Solutionist of the Day"
This series celebrates and highlights the brands and innovators dedicated to creating a greener, more sustainable world. Each day, the series shines a spotlight on a trailblazer making significant strides in promoting eco-friendly living through innovative products, solutions and practices.