Bulleit Frontier Whiskey To Plant 1 Million Trees Next 5 Years

Bulleit Frontier Fund To Work With Nonprofit Conservation Organization American Forests

In order to help preserve American forests, as well as to ensure it has enough white oak barrels well into the future, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has teamed with American Forests to plant one million white oak trees in the next five years.

Called the Bulleit Frontier Fund, the partnership will reforest eastern landscapes dominated by white oaks, a key species for wildlife, water conservation and forest products.

Together, Bulleit and American Forests will not only plant trees but also utilize innovative forestry, including using prescribed fire to facilitate natural oak restoration and planting trees that will help them thrive in a changing climate.

Bulleit has prioritized white oak restoration because in addition to being a cornerstone species of forests in the Eastern United States, white oaks are essential to the future of so many industries, including the whiskey industry.

By definition, bourbon must be aged in new charred oak containers (e.g., barrels), and its thanks to white oak that the delicious toasty, vanilla, caramel, nutty notes come to life when consumers enjoy a glass of Bulleit Bourbon or Bulleit Rye.

As the bourbon matures in the barrel, the wood naturally contracts and expands during Kentucky’s four distinct seasons, pulling the liquid in and out of the inner portion of the stave, therefore bringing out wood sugars and tannins to enhance the whiskey’s flavor over the years.

Once one of our Bulleit barrels is used to age bourbon, the life cycle of the barrel continues with the majority of barrels being used for many years to age other spirits like scotch, rum, and tequila.

“At Bulleit, we believe now more than ever that businesses have a responsibility to our environment, our communities and our planet,” said Sophie Kelly, Sr. Vice President of Whiskey at Diageo North America.

“We’re so excited about our partnership with American Forests, because it allows us to further our commitment to sustainability and help in the fight against climate change by planting these trees, which will provide a variety of environmental benefits for years to come including carbon sequestration, air purification, water conservation, and providing vital wildlife habitat.”

Jad Daley, President and CEO of American Forests stated that “white oak forests benefit every aspect of our lives, from providing clean air and water to the amazing smells and flavors in a glass of bourbon. This great new partnership with Bulleit will give back to these forests by taking care of white oak forests for long-term health and resilience.”