Clonakilty Distillery is proud to share that it’s now a Certified B Corporation™, joining a global movement of businesses that prioritise purpose as well as profit. Based in County Cork, the distillery earned its certification after a detailed assessment of how it performs socially and environmentally, as well as how open and accountable it is as a business.
This is a big step on Clonakilty’s journey to make a positive impact through its work. It reflects years of thoughtful choices, strong community connections, and a deep respect for the natural world that helps shape its spirits.
Being a Certified B Corp is more than a badge of honour, it shows how Clonakilty has built responsibility into everything it does. During the B Impact Assessment, it showed leadership in employee wellbeing, sustainability, and ethical supply chains. This includes health and wellness initiatives for staff, local outreach through beach cleans and Tidy Towns efforts, and a strong focus on health and safety, backed by new systems and regular training.
On the environmental side, Clonakilty has taken a close look at its full carbon footprint – from how it uses energy on site to the impact of suppliers and deliveries – and now has a clear plan in place to cut emissions over time. The team is using smart technologies to track energy and water use, reducing packaging, and exploring bigger solutions like solar panels and constructed wetlands. A wildlife meadow has also been planted on site using native species to support pollinators and restore habitats, bringing more nature back into the heart of the distillery.
The business also checks all its suppliers carefully to make sure they follow good governance and protect the environment.
While B Corp certification is still rare in the spirits industry, Clonakilty is proud to join a growing global community of businesses rethinking what success really means.
“We’re delighted to be officially certified as a B Corp™,” said Michael Scully, Founder of Clonakilty Distillery.
“For us, this is recognition of the way we’ve always done things. We’ve worked hard to build a business that takes care of its people, respects the planet and supports our local community. Becoming a B Corp is a proud moment, but it’s also a promise to keep doing better every day.”
About Clonakilty Distillery
Clonakilty Distillery was established in 2016 by the Scully family, who have farmed the coastal land for nine generations. With a deep connection to the land, the family set out to create single pot still whiskeys using locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. Located on the waterfront in the heart of Clonakilty town, the distillery triple distils its award-winning whiskeys, as well as vodka and gin.
About B Corp Certification
B Corp™ Certification shows that a business meets the high standards of environmental and social performance, transparency and accountability, set by the nonprofit organisation B Lab™. To date, their community includes over 9,900 B Corps in 100+ countries, across 160 industries, employing over 950,000 people.
Interesting Facts
With more than 2,400 B Corps now certified across the UK and Ireland, the movement is gaining strong traction. Brand recognition for B Corp in Ireland rose 11 percent year-on-year in 2024*. In fact, 93 percent of Irish respondents believe business leaders should be accountable for their social and environmental impact, and 63 percent say third-party certifications influence where they shop and work.
* “The Rise of B Corp Awareness in Ireland” Insights from the 2024 Brand Study, B Lab Europe (2025)
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