Aspen Vodka’s distillery achieves a groundbreaking sustainable spirits milestone as it becomes the first LEED Platinum distillery in the U.S.
The award-winning Aspen Vodka has set a new benchmark in the distillery industry by becoming the first U.S. distillery to earn the prestigious LEEDv4 BD+C Platinum certification, making it the largest in the world to earn the mark. Only three other LEEDv4 BD+C Platinum projects are in Colorado, where Aspen is based and only three other LEED distilleries are certified in the U.S. But Aspen is the only one to achieve Platinum status. This accolade, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), represents the pinnacle of energy efficiency and sustainable building practices.
The distillery spans 18,000 square feet on a revitalized former lumber yard, with 105 percent of its energy needs met through a mix of on-site and off-site solar and battery storage. The distillery contributes to one of the cleanest energy grids in the nation by generating more renewable energy than it consumes. Additionally, its on-site wastewater treatment system is energy-neutral and emits zero carbon, significantly improving water quality by treating 100 percent of the distilling process wastewater before it is released back into the Roaring Fork River. A comprehensive life cycle assessment has revealed a 26 percent reduction in embodied carbon for the entire building.
“Producing a luxury vodka with unrivaled quality, at the world’s cleanest distillery sets a new benchmark for sustainability,” Matthew Patel, Founder of Aspen Vodka, said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud to lead the industry with our ambitious and innovative environmental practices. Our LEEDv4 BD+C Platinum certification is a testament to our commitment to excellence in both quality and environmental stewardship, and we hope to inspire our industry peers to elevate their sustainability efforts.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis lauded the distillery’s achievements, calling Aspen’s distillery an “important step” in the state’s plan to reduce pollution and making buildings 100 percent renewable by 2040. “Colorado continues to set the standard for clean energy, and delicious spirits. I am proud of Colorado industries laying the foundation to promote a healthy Colorado where businesses and people can thrive,” Polis said.
Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC, underscored the significance of this certification, “LEED certification is the ultimate recognition of global green building leadership, signaling that a space has undergone rigorous third-party verification and meets the highest green building standards. In the spirits world, Aspen Vodka Distillery is leading the way in the industry and demonstrating its commitment to making the world a better place.”
Sean Penn, Co-President and COO of WES Brands, shared his excitement about the expansion. “We’re thrilled to expand our footprint of Aspen Vodka this year,” said Penn. “As the first distillery in North America with LEEDv4 BD+C Platinum certification, we’re not only leading in sustainability but also taking this exceptional spirit to the masses. We’ve worked tirelessly to craft a luxury vodka reflective of the beautiful terrain of Aspen, Colorado. Sharing our spirit with a wider audience is the next step in our journey and an incredible opportunity to extend our reach to new markets.”
Spirits incubator WES Brands partnered with Aspen Distillers earlier this year to develop Aspen Vodka. “It has been our priority to bring a super-premium vodka into the WES portfolio, but we needed one we believed could carve out space in the category. Aspen Vodka is what we were searching for — a domestic vodka of exceptional taste and quality, rooted in sustainability,” Shawn Thurman, CEO of WES Brands, said in a statement announcing the partnership in January.
Aspen is part of a growing trend in the spirits sector to embrace more sustainable practices. In 2021, the drinks industry was responsible for four percent of global CO2 equivalent emissions, according to recent data. Labels from Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila to the Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Champagne Telmont have eco slants as do leaders like Moët Hennesy, Maker’s Mark, and Pernod Ricard. Earlier this month, Avallen launched Avallen Solutions to support drinks brands and hospitality businesses in reducing their environmental impact. The consultancy aims to promote sustainable practices in response to the anticipated degradation of 95 percent of the world’s land by 2050, which will make it unsuitable for crops.
“With Avallen Calvados, our dream was to build the world’s most sustainable spirits brand, and we achieved that,” Tim Etherington-Judge, Avallen co-founder, said in a statement. But we know there’s no point being the last tree standing in the forest; we have to ensure the forest thrives. That’s our new dream, and we can’t do it alone.”
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