ABERFELDY® Single Malt Scotch Whisky And Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) Launch 'Gardening Giveback Project' To Encourage Urban Beekeeping In Honor Of National Honey Month
Consumers can join the celebration with virtual tasting and limited-edition, farmer's market-style cocktail crate available on ReserveBar.com
ABERFELDY Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the whisky known around the world as the 'Golden Dram,' launched its 'Gardening Giveback Project' in collaboration with Bee Informed Partnership (BIP), a national, non-profit organization dedicated to working with beekeepers across the country to improve honeybee colony health and increase colony survivorship. Launched this September in commemoration of National Honey Month, the Gardening Giveback Project builds upon ABERFELDY's commitment to relieving the plight of honeybees via its Barrels and Bees program – an initiative that supports local beekeepers by partnering with them to feature their honey as the main ingredient in signature cocktails.
Over the last decade, one in three managed honeybee colonies have been lost each year as a result of stressors like pests, pathogens, pesticides and poor nutrition due in part to habitat loss. Although dedicated beekeepers have been able to stabilize the U.S. honeybee population by splitting healthy colonies to make up for the continued losses, mortality rates remain high. To keep the U.S. honeybee population stable, it is crucial that everyone does their part in giving back to the bees and the professionals who care for them.
Through the Gardening Giveback Project, ABERFELDY and BIP are empowering beekeepers and bartenders across eight U.S. cities to plant and maintain community garden-style bee sanctuaries by growing flowers, herbs and vegetables in dual purpose: to foster a healthy environment for bees while also cultivating ingredients that can be used in cocktails. The locally grown ingredients like basil, mint and honey will be used in a brand new, celebratory cocktail dubbed the ABERFELDY "Herbed Honey Smash," which can be purchased and enjoyed from a safe, social distance at various accounts within each city. ABERFELDY has also committed a $10,000 donation to BIP to help support local beekeepers in their research, education and communication efforts to improve honeybee health and sustainability. The program is live in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
"So much of ABERFELDY's story is rooted in its honeyed richness, making honey itself a perfect ingredient for many of our cocktails," said Aleco Azqueta, Brand Director Single Malts at Bacardi which includes ABERFELDY in its global family of premium brands. "We created the Barrels and Bees program to help support local beekeepers and protect these tiny creatures who do so much for our environment, especially given recent data showing some of the highest mortality rates on record. We're proud to be able to introduce the Gardening Giveback Project this year, as it provides ABERFELDY with another opportunity to drive awareness for this cause we are so passionate about." Famed for its rich honey notes resulting from the patient process of longer fermentation, ABERFELDY's richness can be accentuated in honey-based cocktails, creating a unique connection between the whisky and the precious natural resource.
"As the single most important pollinator to agriculture, honeybees are a vital component in ensuring we have access to high quality, nutritious fruits, vegetables, and nuts," Says Geoff Williams, President of Bee Informed Partnership. "We definitely appreciate ABERFELDY supporting our mission and are really excited to help bring the Gardening Giveback Project to life."
For those who want to support the cause but aren't located in one of the eight participating cities, ABERFELDY is offering a limited-edition, farmer's market-style cocktail crate on ReserveBar.com comprised of the ingredients needed to create the Herbed Honey Smash at home. Customers will receive a bottle of ABERFELDY 12, seeds to plant their own garnishes that can double as forage, honey bear glassware, tasting spoons, a tasting tray and three different flavors of honey harvested by "The Native Guy" Nick Bofill, who has maintained hives on top of Bacardi's North American headquarters in Miami and is a participating beekeeper in the project. Additionally, customers who purchase the cocktail crate will be provided with exclusive access to a virtual whisky and honey pairing hosted by Bacardi North American Malts Ambassador Holly Seidewand and Mr. Bofill on Thursday, September 17th. The limited-edition cocktail crate will be available for purchase on ReserveBar.com throughout National Honey Month this September for $45.
"This project is all about giving back to the communities that help ABERFELDY thrive, and it does so in a fun, hands-on and creative way," said Holly Seidewand, Bacardi North American Malts Ambassador. "It's so rewarding to be a part of a brand that seeks to connect likeminded people for a greater cause. The best part is anyone can get involved, and the result is a refreshing, well-earned cocktail."
Related links:
