Sips & Sites & Bites

In an industry built on tradition, oak, and time, it’s refreshing to see a bourbon producer proving that progress and sustainability can sit comfortably alongside great whiskey.

Bardstown Bourbon Company has once again earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR certification, an achievement that quietly says a lot in today’s resource-conscious world.

For those who might gloss over certifications, this one matters. ENERGY STAR recognition places Bardstown Bourbon Company in the top 25 percent of similar industrial facilities nationwide for energy efficiency. In plain terms: they’re doing more with less, and doing it better than most.

What makes this especially impressive is scale. Since 2018, Bardstown Bourbon Company has more than doubled its production capacity … a feat that often comes with a ballooning energy footprint.

Instead, the distillery has gone the opposite direction, now using about 30 percent less energy than before. That kind of efficiency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional design, including capturing and redeploying heat generated during distillation, and managing energy use strategically across the entire operation.

This isn’t a one-off win, either. In 2023, Bardstown Bourbon Company was among the first distilleries in the country to receive ENERGY STAR certification. Earning it again reinforces that this isn’t a box-checking exercise, it’s a long-term commitment to smarter production.

Mark Erwin, CEO of Lofted Spirits (the parent company of Bardstown Bourbon Company), put it simply: efficiency is good for the environment, but it’s also just good business. In an era where sustainability can feel like a buzzword, this is a reminder that responsible production doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality or growth. In fact, it can be a competitive advantage.

For bourbon lovers, there’s something reassuring here. Whiskey is a product of patience and precision, and knowing that the same care is being applied to how it’s made … how much energy it uses, how resources are managed … adds another layer of respect for what’s in the glass. The barrels still age, the flavors still develop, and the standards remain high. The difference is that it’s happening with a lighter footprint.

ENERGY STAR itself has been around since 1992, quietly setting benchmarks for energy efficiency across industries nationwide. Tens of thousands of plants and buildings have earned the designation, but distilleries … especially ones operating at Bardstown’s level … are still a relatively small club. That makes this achievement stand out even more.

At Sips and Sites and Bites, we tend to focus on what tastes good and where it takes us. But how something is made matters too. Bardstown Bourbon Company’s latest ENERGY STAR certification is a reminder that modern bourbon doesn’t have to choose between tradition and responsibility. With the right mindset, you can have both … and still pour a damn good whiskey at the end of the day.