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Gorilla Spirits Co. pioneers use of bottles made from 100% post-consumer recycled glass
Gorilla Spirits Co. range of award-winning spirits, including IWSC Winner Silverback Mountain Strength Gin, are about to get a fresh new look, which is both stunning in design and significantly kinder to the environment. This announcement from the ethically renowned spirits Company, is made to coincide with Earth Day (22nd April) and sees them championing the use of bottles that are made entirely from recycled glass.
Already a twice winner of The Green Organisation’s International Award for Corporate Social Responsibility, this latest project is part of the Company’s relentless drive to minimise the impact it has on the environment and contribute towards a more circular economy. Andy Daniels, the company’s founder, says “this is a major step forward for us in our sustainability journey and we hope that it demonstrates to others how great design can be achieved whilst also being kind to the environment”.
Bottles used by most spirits brands can contain a small percentage of recycled glass, but this usually comes from waste produced in the large-scale manufacturing process itself, whereas all the glass that goes into the new Gorilla Spirits bottles is ‘post-consumer recycled’, meaning that it is made from the glass that all of us have put into our recycling bins.
About the design itself, Andy comments “we embrace many of the imperfections in the glass making process, celebrate them even, by allowing bottles that would typically be rejected during manufacture to make it all the way through to the final product. This significantly reduces manufacturing waste and makes the whole process much more energy efficient”. The bottles are embossed with the phrase “wildly crafted” to encapsulate the Company’s sustainability ethos.
Environmental impact goes beyond just the type of materials used – the new bottle is 40% lighter than most spirits bottles in use today so requires significantly less raw material and less energy in the production process. The Company estimates that it will be using around 20 tonnes less glass in the coming year than last, and by reducing the weight of each case by 2.1Kg they reduce the amount of fuel needed and CO2 emissions generated to transport it.
When new packaging is introduced it is common for companies to dispose of any old stock, however Gorilla Spirits Co. will be phasing in the new bottle to ensure that their current stocks are run down. “I can’t think of a worse thing than to crush perfectly usable bottles just because we’re changing the design” says Andy.
Look out for the new bottle design from May.
Conservation, sustainability, and social responsibility lies at the heart of everything the Company does and as well as making substantial contributions to gorilla conservation, Gorilla Spirits has been helping communities during the Covid crisis by working with local foodbanks and by making and distributing much needed hand sanitiser to GP surgeries and other front-line services.
Spirits are high as Ranil Jayawardena visits the Gorilla Spirits Co. Distillery in North East Hampshire
20th August 2020
MP, Ranil Jayawardena was getting in the spirit on Wednesday 19th August, as he paid a visit to Gorilla Spirits Co. Distillery to see first-hand how they produce their Silverback Gin, and other award-winning spirits.
The Gorilla Spirits Co. Distillery was originally based in Four Marks before moving to Upton Grey in 2018. Founded by Andy Daniels, social responsibility lies at the heart of the business, with £1 from every bottle sold to date being donated to The Gorilla Organization, to support the conservation of endangered Mountain Gorillas. Their products are distilled and bottled on site and sold throughout the UK and in a growing number of overseas territories.
Andy Daniels was keen to win the support of Ranil Jayawardena for the UK Spirits Alliance ‘Support Our Spirits’ campaign that is currently running. The campaign seeks to ensure government keeps spirits duty low in the Budget. Consumers across the UK currently pay over 70 per cent tax on spirits direct to the Treasury –almost the highest rate in the world.
Andy said: “It was fantastic to welcome Ranil to our distillery. We’re really proud of the products we produce and so it’s great to get the support of our local MP.
“We asked Ranil to take the message back to Westminster that the best way to support businesses like ours across the country would be to ensure the duty tax on spirits doesn’t rise in this year’s budget, which would increase the cost of a well-deserved gin and tonic for our customers across the UK.”
A spokesperson for the UK Spirits Alliance said:
“It’s great to see MPs across the country recognising that spirits are a British success story and the future of UK drinking. We hope they will support our campaign to stop any duty rise for spirits in this budget.”
Sustainability focused spirits brand appoints CPG International Brand Development Ltd as its UK Distribution partner
1st July 2020
Gorilla Spirits Co. Ltd, the Hampshire based, multi-award winning, sustainability focused spirits brand has appointed CPG International Brand Development Ltd as its UK Distribution partner, with effect from 8th July 2020.
Gorilla Spirits Co. Ltd has a range of 6 Brands currently, including their flagship Silverback Mountain Strength Gin which is also sold regionally by Waitrose. Others in the range are Silverback Old Tom Gin, Blackback Mountain Strength Vodka, Karisimbi Spiced Rum, Maraba Coffee Liqueur and the recently launched Summer 2020 expression, Silverback Wild Strawberry Gin. For every bottle of these spirits sold the Company donate £1 to The Gorilla Organization for the preservation and protection of the endangered Mountain Gorilla population.
Andy Daniels, who founded the Company in 2014 commented ‘’Joining forces with CPG International is a significant step towards meeting the Company’s ambitious growth plans, both in our home market and internationally. In appointing a Distribution Partner we were keen to ensure that our founding principles of sustainability would be upheld and I am delighted that CPG have demonstrated that throughout our negotiations.’’
Paul Buckle, Managing Director of CPG International Brand Development Ltd said ‘’ We are absolutely delighted to be appointed the exclusive Distribution Partner for the Gorilla Spirits Company Ltd. Andy and the team have done an absolutely amazing job in producing first class products and liquids, with the crucial additional benefit of being a sustainable Business and giving back in the most incredible way to support the protection of the Mountain Gorilla population. We now look forward to moving the distribution of Gorilla Spirits Co Ltd to another level and ensuring that Consumers are aware of the good they too can do by choosing to drink Gorilla Spirits fantastic products. Together we call this ‘Saving Gorillas one drink at a time’”
Distillery joins forces with local hero to provide hand sanitiser for Hampshire schools
1st June 2020
Gorilla Spirits Co., the local spirits producer based in Upton Grey, Hampshire, is supporting the initiative of local resident Stuart Sharpe to supply local schools with hand sanitiser.
Having previously taught at local schools, Stuart, who is a member GB Disabilities Trampoline Squad, was concerned about the lack of hand sanitiser available to local schools as they plan to re-open. He has been using his time whilst on furlough from Alton café and deli Bottega dei Sapori, to raise funds to donate this much needed hand sanitiser to local nursery and primary schools, to help keep both teachers and student safe.
Gorilla Spirits Co., a company founded on the principles of social responsibility and a previous winner of an International Corporate Responsibility Award, switched much of its production from spirits to hand sanitiser at the onset of the Coronavirus Lockdown. Hearing of this Stuart approached the Company for support who agreed to match fund his initiative. Stuart says “Huge thanks to Gorilla Spirits and their efforts to help the community. I can’t thank them enough for how much they have helped and continue to do, not just for me but to keep sanitiser in production to help protect both key workers and the public.”
During the ongoing COVID-19 situation, demand for hand sanitiser has soared and many suppliers have struggled to keep up. Andy Daniels, founder of Gorilla Spirits Co. says “It’s important at times like these that we put even more focus on supporting our community and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to supply hand sanitiser to front line workers, including Chawton Park Surgery who have been acting as a Home Hub for the area, as well as both local and national businesses. I’m also really pleased to be able to help Stuart deliver this much needed product to local schools and nurseries.
Gorilla Spirits Co. to release exclusive barrel aged expression
28th February 2020
Gorilla Spirits Co., award-winning craft distillers of Upton Grey, Hampshire, is delighted to announce the impending first release of Silverback VSOG, a Sherry Cask-Finished Gin of exceptional quality.
Says Founder and Master Distiller Andy Daniels, “every step of the process leading up to the release of Silverback VSOG has been a labour of love, from selecting the individual Sherry Cask to precisely judging the amount of ageing required”
The concept of ageing gin in casks isn’t really new – it dates back to the 18th and 19th Centuries when spirits were transported in barrels – but it’s unfamiliar to many people. “I would argue that a good cask-aged gin is even more interesting than whisky” says Andy, “Silverback VSOG (Very Special Oaked Gin) has the wonderfully complex high notes of gin married with the depth of flavour brought about by the cask; silky spice, a hint of vanilla, dried fruit and a sweet smokiness. It’s a perfect after dinner digestif or can be used for a riff on a classic cocktail such as a Martinez or an Old Fashioned”.
Less than 1,000 50cl bottles will be released. Silverback VSOG is sold in individually numbered bottles which are beautifully adorned with highly figured metal labels.
Hampshire Distillery Wins International Award for Caring
31st July 2019
Gorilla Spirits Co., a premium alcohol spirits producer based in Upton Grey, Hampshire, has won an International Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award in a campaign to find the most caring companies.
They competed against more than 100 other nominations from around the world in the International CSR Excellence Awards 2019 and were a winner in the small business category. Husband and wife team Andy & Claire Daniels were presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering ceremony in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London, on July 22, 2019.
As a result of their success the Company will be working to achieve CSR World Leader status and have a paper published in The Global Guide to CSR Excellence (the leading international work of reference on corporate social responsibility best practice) so that others around the world can follow their lead and learn from their achievements.
Andy Daniels commented on their achievement by saying “social responsibility underpins everything we do as a business. At the heart of this is our donation of £1 to The Gorilla Organization (www.gorillas.co.uk) for every bottle of spirits sold but we are delighted that this award recognises our wider contribution to conservation, the environment, sustainability and community”. Claire Daniels adds “hopefully by receiving this International CSR Excellence Award we are able to demonstrate to other businesses that caring for the world that we live in is also good for business and we encourage others to follow our lead”.
