Penrhos Spirits to launch wonky blueberry gin next month

Penrhos Spirits, based on Penrhos Farm in Herefordshire, was recently awarded B Corp certification, joining a global community of businesses recognised for meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.

To mark the achievement, the distillery has announced its first limited-edition ‘Wonky Blueberry’ gin, launching on September 1.

The release also celebrates Penrhos’ success in saving more than one million imperfect, or 'wonky', blueberries from going to waste.

Charlie Turner, co-founder of Penrhos Spirits, said: "Achieving BCorp as a small business in the alcohol industry is a big moment for us and we hope it shows the commitment we have as a brand into sustainability and the environment at such an important time.

"It confirms our core sustainability credentials and it puts us — a small independent producer — alongside some of the biggest global drinks brands.

"We know the industry is full of green claims and this certification is an independent guarantee of our genuine commitment to our ongoing sustainability mission."

Founded in 2018 by fruit farmers, Penrhos Spirits began on the family farm in a converted 250-year-old cow shed.

The distillery was built on principles of sustainability from the very start, using 'imperfectly perfect' fruit such as misshapen raspberries, blueberries, cucumbers and apples grown on the farm and unsuitable for supermarket shelves.

This approach has evolved into a broader sustainability mission involving farm-grown botanicals, natural water, and minimal-waste production.

In 2023, Penrhos took on the world-first switch to 100 per cent recycled aluminium bottles.

B Corp certification requires businesses to meet rigorous standards across five areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.

Penrhos achieved a B Impact assessment score of 86.8, well above the median score of 50.9 for ordinary businesses.

Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: "Welcoming Penrhos Spirits to the B Corp community is hugely exciting.

"Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit."

The new gin also kicks off Penrhos’ #SaveTheBlueberries campaign, encouraging people to freeze overly soft blueberries rather than throw them away, and use them as ice cubes in gin and tonics.

Research by Penrhos Spirits suggests that UK households discard more than 12,000 tonnes of fresh blueberries each year.

This is enough to fill the turbine hall of London’s Battersea Power Station from floor to ceiling.

Penrhos’ sustainability journey began as a way to make use of surplus fruit from the family farm, but has since grown into a full-scale commitment to environmental responsibility.

The launch of its first blueberry gin reflects both its environmental values and its creative approach to craft spirits.

The limited-edition Wonky Blueberry Gin will be available from September 1 and can be pre-ordered through the Penrhos Spirits website.