Heaven Hill Distillery joined with Independent Stave Co. (ISC) to sponsor loggers to complete sustainability certification. The move is part of Heaven Hill Brands’ corporate sustainability strategy first announced in January 2021.
A sustainable supply of white oak is critical to the future supply of American Whiskey and the generations of loggers whose livelihoods depend on the trees, Heaven Hill said. .
Much like the whiskey process from grain to glass, the journey of an American white oak takes years of patience. From an acorn to a tree ready for the cooperage, a span of 30-100 years may pass. Long-term forest management is crucial to helping trees thrive, and cooperages rely on certified loggers to implement timber stand improvement, tree-felling and general safety guidelines.
“A sustainable supply of white oak entails relationships with the landowners, loggers, cooperages and the distilleries who all rely on each other as good stewards of these natural resources,” said Rachel Nally, Heaven Hill Environmental & Sustainability Manager. “We often consider the life of a barrel after the Whiskey is dumped, but it’s the sustainable forestry management that enables us to start that lifecycle. Heaven Hill’s partnership with Independent Stave Company to educate loggers is another step in ensuring the future of the industry.”