Woody Harrelson debuts Holistic Spirits Company
The Hunger Games actor Woody Harrelson has co-founded a plant-based spirits company that focuses on sustainability and transparency.
Woody Harrelson, who is a long-time vegan and environmentalist, has joined forces with wellness entrepreneur Amy Holmwood to launch the Holistic Spirits Company. The new company seeks to offer consumers a ‘better way to drink’ by using sustainable distilling methods and ‘thoughtfully sourced’ plants and botanicals. The venture debuts with two products, Origen Vodka and Harmony Gin, which aim to ‘redefine the way people think about vodka or gin’. Holmwood was ‘unsatisfied with the lack of innovation’ in the spirits sector and used food science to create a blend of botanical infusions for Origen and Harmony. “Our team is passionate about using plant science to elevate every cocktail with all-natural and functional ingredients,” said Holmwood. “Our mission is that Holistic Spirits Company introduces a new era of educating people on ways to have better spirit choices similar to the innovation that has happened in the soft drink and tea beverage industry.” The spirits are made with ‘power-packed’ ingredients including artichoke leaves, elderberries, green tea leaves, and muscadine grapes. Harmony Gin also uses juniper berries, coriander seed, hyssop, lemon peel, lime peel, angelica root, and orris root. Both spirits contain no sugar, artificial flavours or colours, and no GMOs (genetically modified organisms). The company’s research team tested many white spirit bases including grapes, corn, wheat and sugarcane to find the ‘optimal’ non-GMO liquid to use as the foundation for its gin and vodka. After flavour and functionality tests, the researchers settled on organic white wheat for Origen and organic corn for Harmony. 'No-brainer' Harrelson got involved in the launch of the company after tasting Origen Vodka. “For years I’ve wondered who was going to come along and put my favourite superfoods into spirits,” the True Detective star said. “I think it’s a marvellous thing that Amy came up with, and I admire her sense of purpose. It was a no-brainer to get involved from the start.” The duo is aiming to focus on transparency around ingredients, an area that the spirits industry is lacking in, they said. “No alcohol will ever be healthy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be more conscious of what we’re putting in our bodies while we enjoy spirits, in whatever setting that may be,” Holmwood explained. The Holistic Spirits Company has also been accepted into the Positive Luxury Accelerator Program, highlighting the firm's effort to be a leader in governance and sustainability. Origen (37% ABV) is priced between US$39.99-US$45.99, and Harmony Gin (45% ABV) is available for US$40.99-US$46.99. The 750ml expressions can be purchased at select retailers in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina, and is available online in most states on ReserveBar. Harrelson is not the only actor focusing on sustainable spirits. Last month, we spoke to Aquaman star Jason Momoa and entrepreneur Blaine Halvorson on the launch of Meili Vodka, which is packaged in a 100% recycled glass bottle.
