A manufacturer of sustainable and eco-friendly vodka is celebrating its first national supermarket contract by hand-delivering the stock by bike to drive down its carbon footprint. Jelley’s Vodka is launching its elderflower and honey-flavoured spirit into 14 Morrisons stores across Devon and Cornwall. Brand founder Benjamin Jelley will be cycling a 250km route between August 12 16 to personally deliver a total of 250 bottles, saving the equivalent of 0.
25 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Each bottle contains a QR code link to receive a pack of elderflower seeds, with drinkers urged to sow them to encourage the future growth of the plants, which act as pollinators for the dwindling bee population. Mr Jelley said: “We started the business a decade ago, selling at food and drink fairs and farmers markets but it has always been my ambition to secure a supermarket contract.
“We’ve made it happen and I wanted to do something to mark the occasion. As a B Corp brand, we are all about sustainability so removing the equivalent of 0.25 tonnes of carbon from the usual supply chain really fits in with our ethos.
We’re on a mission to reduce, replenish and rejoice - it’s our three-point plan for a better planet. “We’re proud of the product, which has been produced in partnership with the master distillers at Colwith Farm and features a drop of local honey from North Devon Queens in every bottle, and we can’t wait to see it on the shelves.” The epic ride will take in some of the south-west’s most stunning scenery.
It will start from the Colwith Farm distillery near Lostwithiel where the vodka has been produced and will take in multiple stores before ending at Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth. The clifftop hotel features on the drink’s swing tag, with anyone purchasing a bottle able to enter a competition to win a £500 stay at the luxury adults-only eco-sanctuary. The epic ride has been sponsored by Scarlet and Double Dutch tonics while premium cycling lifestyle brand Rapha has donated kit to be used throughout the journey.
The drink will be showcased at Rapha’s 20 th anniversary celebrations taking place next month. Mr Jelley, who will be going back to nature by wild camping throughout the journey, said: “I’m delighted to have the support of such fantastic brands for this trip, who share our culture, our vision and our sense of purpose. This has truly been a collaborative project and we continue to work together to do good for our planet.
“Exploring the great outdoors is something we are extremely passionate about and it doesn’t get much better than Devon and Cornwall. It’s a beautiful part of the world and getting out and about to enjoy it, whether walking or cycling, is a brilliant way to stay fit and healthy.” Jelley’s is a member of 1% For The Planet – a network of businesses around the world that pledge to donate a minimum of one per cent of annual revenue to environmental causes to protect the environment.
Mr Jelley, who will be riding his beloved Ribble GRAVEL TI bike, will be documenting his progress on social media and cycling platform Strava. For more information and to stay up to date with his progress, follow @Jelleys on Instagram or visit www.jelleydistilleries.
co.uk.
