WIRSPA Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Digest ESG Highlights at a Glance ➢ Strong regional action on responsible drinking (national campaigns, age-gating, RDMs). ➢ Major community investments supporting education, disaster relief, youth and healthcare.
➢ Significant progress in sustainable production, renewable energy, water circularity, recycling and biodiversity protection. ➢ Continued investment in people and governance through workforce wellbeing, leadership development and internationally recognised sustainability achievements ➢ WIRSPA launched its first Sustainability Report, highlighting the industry's collective ESG progress
RESPONSIBLE DRINKING & HEALTH Angostura Limited (Trinidad and Tobago) Ahead of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival season, Angostura launched “Raise the Vibes, Not the Risk”, a dedicated responsible drinking campaign promoting three key habits: pacing drinks, never drinking and driving, and staying hydrated. Messaging encouraged revellers to choose one type of alcohol at a time, avoid mixing drinks, and plan safe transportation in advance. Angostura has continued its campaign with its responsible drinking messaging tagged #WeCare and #PleaseDrinkResponsibly, reinforcing its year-round commitment to embedding moderation messaging into its social media calendar beyond dedicated campaign periods.
Angostura’s “Raise the Vibes, Not the Risk” responsible drinking campaign, launched ahead of Carnival 2026 Source: Angostura 2026
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Casa Brugal (Dominican Republic) Throughout the period, Casa Brugal embedded continuous responsible drinking messaging across all brand communications on Facebook and Instagram under its standing commitment to moderation. Rather than a standalone campaign, the company wove public health messaging into product posts, seasonal content, and employee spotlights throughout the half-year.
J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. (Jamaica) On 19 June 2026, J. Wray & Nephew launched the latest edition of its Party Proppa campaign across its corporate Facebook and Instagram pages. The biannual responsible drinking initiative educates consumers to make informed choices about alcohol consumption, encouraging moderation and personal accountability.
J. Wray & Nephew’s Party Proppa responsible drinking campaign, 19 June 2026 Source: jwncorporate on Instagram
Suriname Alcoholic Beverages N.V. (Suriname) Suriname Alcoholic Beverages participated in a national alcohol policy dialogue convened by Stivasur (the Suriname Alcohol and Tobacco Industry Foundation), which brought together producers, retailers, and public health stakeholders to align on responsible consumption standards and youth protection measures for the Surinamese market, part of a wider 2026 programme of work. In May, Stivasur intensified its national road safety efforts through the “I’m a BOSS, Bewust Onbeschonken Sturende Surinamer” campaign during International Road Safety Week (6-9 May 2026). Stivasur Chair Diana Halfhide and VVI Director Joanne Adraai met with President Jennifer Simons to advance the campaign. As a Stivasur signatory and co-signatory of its Marketing and Advertising Code, SAB actively supports the BOSS campaign. SAB’s representative Steven Ma Ajong, formally re-committed to the Code at the Nationaal Dialoog 2026 on responsible alcohol consumption, a cross-sector dialogue involving government, business, and civil society to align on strategies for reducing harmful drinking among young people in Suriname. 2
COMMUNITY ACTIONS & SUPPORT
J. Wray and Nephew (JWN) at the installation of menstrual product dispensers at St Patrick’s Primary School, April 2026 Source: jwncorporate on Instagram
Angostura Limited (Trinidad and Tobago) In June, the House of Angostura extended its Hurricane Melissa recovery programme to Jamaica, providing financial support to the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) through a partnership with the Seprod Foundation. The donation funded JSPCA vaccination clinics in western Jamaica, spay and neuter services, the distribution of animal food supplies to hurricaneaffected communities, and the procurement of medical and surgical consumables.
Casa Brugal (Dominican Republic) On 28 April 2026, Fundación Brugal held the 34th “Brugal Cree en su Gente” Awards, recognising FUNDEMAR for marine conservation and coral cryopreservation, and ITESIL for youth education and the productive transformation of coffee and cacao in the border region. The Foundation also premiered the documentary “El Poder de Creer” at the ceremony. Across the first half of 2026, Casa Brugal also highlighted its active partnership with Fondo Agua on water replenishment and biodiversity restoration. The programme has achieved a replenishment capacity of over 54,000 cubic metres, the planting of over 194,000 plants across 67 hectares of reforested land, with direct and indirect benefit to more than 250 people in local communities.
Awardees at the 34th “Brugal Cree en su Gente” Awards, April 2026
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Casa Brugal (Dominican Republic) cont’d Also in this period, Fundación Brugal organised a community walk to raise funds towards the construction of a new dining room at the Centro Educativo George Arzeno Brugal in San Marcos, Puerto Plata. The school, which has served over 620 students from one of the province’s most vulnerable communities since 2009, operates an extended school day that includes daily meals for its students. On World Environment Day, Fundación Brugal reaffirmed its commitment with the development of an eco-school at the Centro Educativo George Arzeno Brugal. Transforming the school into a model of ecological practice, the foundation is investing in a greener future for the community of San Marcos, Puerto Plata.
Demerara Distillers Ltd. (Guyana) Demerara Distillers expanded its national footprint with the opening of a new branch in Lethem, in the Rupununi region of Guyana. The Lethem branch is expected to generate local employment while improving service delivery in an underserved area. Given Lethem’s strategic location as a gateway between Guyana and Brazil, the expansion also positions the company to support cross-border trade and economic development at the regional level.
Hampden Estate (Jamaica) Following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation of Jamaica in October 2025, The Whisky Exchange named Hampden Estate 1753 as its Spirit of the Year and committed to donating £6 to Jamaica hurricane relief charities for every bottle sold. The initiative generates meaningful charitable contributions from international sales in support of affected communities. Hampden Estate sits in Trelawny parish, one of the parishes worst affected by Hurricane Melissa, and the distillery's local employment and sugarcane farming activities represent essential economic infrastructure for the rural community.
J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. (Jamaica) In January, the Border roadside food market at Scotts Cove, St. Elizabeth, officially reopened following J. Wray & Nephew’s J$10 million restoration of roughly 50 vendor stalls destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. In February, the company joined more than 20 agencies at a Community Connect Fair in Beeston Spring, Westmoreland, delivering medical care, housing support, and care packages to over 1,000 residents still rebuilding. Campari’s annual results confirmed the group’s J$250 million (US$1.6 million) donation to Jamaica’s hurricane recovery, directed at the Jamaican Government and local NGOs, as further reported in Got Rum?’s April 2026 coverage. 4
The JWN Foundation continued to address longer-term community needs throughout the period. The Foundation announced on Instagram the next phase of its End Period Poverty initiative, distributing 1,795 menstrual kits and installing permanent in-school dispensers across 17 schools in Kingston, Clarendon, and St Elizabeth. On 23 April, Tourism Minister the Hon. Edmund Bartlett visited Appleton Estate as part of the Ministry’s South Coast Confidence Tour, where General Manager Cecil Smith Jr. and Master Blender Dr. Joy Spence showcased the estate’s full restoration after Hurricane Melissa. In May, the Foundation participated in Read Across Jamaica Day 2026, deploying volunteers across 14 focus schools under the theme ‘Kindness and Community’, and marking Teacher’s Day with small tokens of appreciation for educators at each school. Throughout the period, JWN used its corporate social media pages to profile past scholarship recipients who have gone on to achieve outstanding academic results, students from communities surrounding the Kingston, Clarendon, and St Elizabeth operations, with several achieving grade point averages of 4.0 and above at university. The profiles give public visibility to the Foundation’s long-term investment in youth development and community transformation.
L&R Liquors Limited (Belize) L&R Liquors partnered with the National Garifuna Council Orange Walk Branch on a cultural campaign that celebrated Garifuna heritage through music and community storytelling. The campaign modelled inclusive, community-centred brand engagement as a responsible alternative to alcohol-centric marketing.
Société du Rhum Barbancourt (Haiti) In February, Fondation Barbancourt demonstrated its unwavering commitment to public health in Haiti, reporting on LinkedIn that over 1,000 people receive treatment monthly through its community medical centre, including access to a pharmacy stocked with essential medicines and support for more than 400 children daily. In the same quarter, Fondation Barbancourt partnered with Ophtalmologue Decastro to sponsor cataract surgery for 60 underserved patients, with the first round of procedures completed successfully. Cataracts are a leading cause of preventable blindness in developing countries, and the programme reflects Barbancourt’s focus delivering on primary and specialised healthcare access for vulnerable communities in Haiti.
Travellers Liquors Ltd. (Belize) In April, Travellers sponsored the Run Green Run Clean triathlon, a community-led, zero-litter, conservation-focused event promoting environmental responsibility along Belize’s waterways and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.
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SUSTAINABILITY IN PRODUCTION, PACKAGING & SUPPLY CHAINS
Angostura: Solar Panel powers its bitters Bottling Plant
Angostura Limited (Trinidad and Tobago) Angostura rolled out its redesigned sustainable rum packaging in the US market, in March 2026, featuring lighter-weight bottles and responsibly sourced paper labels. In April, Angostura launched the redesigned full rum portfolio in the United Kingdom, with secondary packaging removed from three premium expressions (1919, 1824, and the 15-Year-Old) to further reduce waste. In May, Angostura flipped the switch on a 432-panel solar system with 344-kWh battery storage at its bitters bottling plant. The project, delivered by local engineering firms, also powers electric forklift charging stations and will extend to administrative buildings. With this fully solar-powered bottling plant, the 200-year-old brand strengthens its sustainability credentials, cutting emissions and operational costs as consumer demand for greener products intensifies worldwide.
Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd. (Barbados) Over the period, Mount Gay Distilleries ran the bottle recycling campaign ‘Bring Back De Bottle’, incentivising rum experience venues across Barbados to return empty bottles. Partnering with their trade partners through the campaign, the return and recycling of Mount Gay bottles was encouraged to support a more sustainable Barbados: Return it – Recycle it – Be part of the change. The three highest-returning locations, The Thirsty Lizard, Chukka Barbados and Mulligans on the Green, received staff vouchers in recognition.
Société du Rhum Barbancourt (Haiti) In April, Barbancourt confirmed that its IDB Invest-financed solar energy system had been fully commissioned, replacing diesel-powered generation across its Plaine du Cul-de-Sac operations. The transition is projected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 45,000 tonnes by 2030 and forms part of a broader sustainability package that also includes a glass bottle recycling facility to reduce single-use packaging across the distillery’s supply chain. 6
Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery Ltd. (Barbados) The first half of 2026 marked a milestone for Stade’s model with the first sugarcane harvest from Kendal Farm. Approximately 27 acres (11 hectares) of estate-grown cane are being cut in the 2026 harvest, with the operation expected to run for approximately one month, subject to weather and milling capacity.
GOVERNANCE, RECOGNITION & QUALITY WIRSPA (Secretariat in Barbados) On 10 June 2026, WIRSPA marked a major milestone with the launch of its first-ever Sustainability Report, unveiled at the WIRSPA and Spirits Pool Association Cocktail Reception at The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites in Kingston, Jamaica. WIRSPA Chairman Clement “Jimmy” Lawrence highlighted progress on environmental stewardship, community development, and responsible business practices across the regional industry. The evening also saw the presentation of a special award to Master Blender Dr Joy Spence for her outstanding contribution to Jamaican and Caribbean rum.
Angostura Limited (Trinidad and Tobago) Angostura announced the appointment of Mr. Ian Forbes, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Angostura Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries with effect from 1 April 2026, having previously served as Acting CEO, in addition to his substantive duties as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Mr. Ian Forbes, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Angostura Holdings Limited Source: angosturatt on instagram
Casa Brugal (Dominican Republic) In March 2026, Casa Brugal launched the Plan de Ahorro Complementario para el Retiro (PACR), becoming the first private company in the Dominican Republic to implement a complementary retirement savings plan through the country’s Pension Fund Administrator framework. With more than 60% of employees already enrolled, the initiative underscores Casa Brugal’s standing as a benchmark employer, also covered by Diario Libre. On 8 June 2026, Casa Brugal met with the Minister of Labour of the Dominican Republic for a high-level dialogue on human talent management and employee wellbeing. The meeting positioned Casa Brugal as an active participant in shaping national labour policy consistent with the company’s broader governance posture as a benchmark employer. 7
J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. (Jamaica) In April, J. Wray and Nephew Ltd. appointed Cecil Smith Jr. as General Manager – Jamaica. With a strong track record and deep industry expertise, Mr. Smith assumed leadership of one of Jamaica's most iconic spirits companies, to drive continued growth and operational excellence.
Ron Barceló (Dominican Republic) Ron Barceló received top honours at the Vanguardia Exportadora awards for its commitment to environmental stewardship and economic development. In the same period, Vinicio Subero, Global Head of Business Expansion, represented the company at ExpoSostenible 2026, a platform convening private sector leaders on sustainability strategy. Speaking on the panel “Companies That Transform,” Subero outlined how exports, country brand, and sustainability converge as strategic pillars for Ron Barceló, positioning the company’s B Corporation certification and Climate Neutral status as competitive differentiators in international markets.
Ron Matusalem – Alza Investments, LLC (Dominican Republic) As part of Butterfly Week 2026 in March 2026, Ron Matusalem launched Enigma French Oak, a new expression aged in ex-Bordeaux barrels, marking the first rum in its portfolio to carry the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark on both the bottle neck and gift box. The Butterfly Mark is awarded to brands that meet independently verified standards across sustainability, ethics and social responsibility. Ron Matusalem noted that sustainability is embedded across its operations: suppliers are held to strict ESG and waste management standards, virgin packaging materials are being progressively reduced, and its long-term sustainability roadmap guides product and packaging development across the portfolio. Placing the Butterfly Mark directly on the bottle makes those commitments visible to consumers at the point of purchase. Members: Any ESG updates or initiatives you’d like to have featured in our next digest? Send us the details. Copyright ©2026 WIRSPA Inc., All rights reserved. You are received this email because you have contact with WIRSPA, or you subscribed to our mailing list.
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