Defining a typical or average water-use ratio for spirits production is not easy. Economies of scale often mean the size of the facility is a determining factor, with larger facilities able to maximise efficiencies. Water consumption also varies between spirits types. For example, the production of malt whisky in pot-stills uses more water than grain distilling because of the cooling process employed.
Sustainability in Spirits – Part I: Water
This management briefing looks at the environmental sustainability challenges facing the spirits sector, examining the environmental strategies, targets and progress of the five principal international spirits companies: Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, Beam and Brown-Forman.