The challenge any gin producer faces is: what bottle should the gin be found in? It was a real challenge to produce our bottles and packaging to ensure they are eye-catching, while using materials that give us peace of mind too.
The major hurdle was finding a bottle stopper that isn’t synthetic. Natural cork was our intuitive first choice, however, over time, a clear spirit like gin draws out the natural tannins from the wood, turning what should be a pristine liquid a shade of yellow. While completely harmless, it’s not exactly appetising for a premium gin.
Thankfully, alongside our use of Wild Glass, we have sourced an innovative closure that uses a blend of cork and carbon. It has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to a synthetic stopper, while ensuring the clear spirit remains entirely untainted.
What is CorkCoal? And why do we use it?
So, let’s talk a little bit about what Corkcoal is, and why we love it as our choice of closure.
Corkcoal is a blend of the two natural materials, cork and activated carbon. We think they are visually striking, with their unique, rustic and robust feel, but they have a deeper purpose.
You may have already noticed that most of the gin brands in the UK use synthetic stoppers, often topped with a crafted wooden cap. They are inexpensive, easy to produce, and provide a safe, reliable option for gin distillers. But standard practice wasn’t good enough for us.
Depending on what you compare it to, CorkCoal has been shown to reduce environmental impact by up to 95% compared to traditional synthetic closures. Entirely plastic caps are obviously far more damaging to the planet than options utilising natural materials.
For us, choosing CorkCoal means we can rest a little easier. We know that the stoppers we use have a much smaller footprint during production, rely entirely on natural materials, and look elegant on the shelf.
To take a deeper dive into the environmental impact assessment of Corkcoal, click the link.