‘A New Industry Standard’: Maker’s Mark Embraces Regenerative Farming Practices With Major Whiskey Milestone

Maker’s Mark filled its first Regenified Certified barrel in support of regenerative farming. (Photo: Beam Suntory)

On Wednesday, Beam Suntory announced that Maker’s Mark filled its first Certified Regenified Barrel, which served as tangible proof of the bourbon brand’s commitment to regenerative farming practices.

For a whiskey to be Certified Regenified, over 75% of the grains in its mashbill must be sourced from Certified Regenified farms.

“Today, I am proud to say the Maker’s Mark fans know and love is being crafted, in large part, using regenerative practices that give back to the land more than we take,” eighth-generation whiskey maker Rob Samuels said in a statement from Beam Suntory.

Samuels is the direct descendant of the Maker’s Mark founders and expressed appreciation for the farmers the brand worked in partnership with to achieve that milestone.

The organization Regenified was founded in 2021 and prioritizes repairing the soil health of farms so land is preserved for future generations.

“Maker’s Mark’s step with their first Certified Regenified whiskey is more than a milestone, it’s a story of dedication and partnership with their farmers and the environment,” Regenified CEO Salar Shermirani said in a statement. “As one of the first companies of its size and scale to genuinely embrace regenerative practices, Maker’s Mark is setting a new industry standard for others to follow.”

Maker’s Mark claims the brand has passed a series of environmentally friendly initiatives since its inception. The brand established what it refers to as the world’s largest planted grove of American White Oak Trees, genome mapping of the American White Oak, and a natural water sanctuary on its property.

As for its most recent step within the regenerative farming space, Shermirani claims it is a bold initiative with the future in mind:

“Partnering with their farmers, they are committed to achieving measurable and continuous improvement above and below ground, for generations to come.”

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