Sapling Spirits is stepping up its UK retail push, landing its Naturally Smooth Sapling Vodka in 171 Sainsbury’s stores from 19 April in what marks a notable expansion for the climate-positive brand.
The vodka itself leans heavily into both quality and provenance. Made from organic premium winter wheat, it’s distilled four times before being blended with charcoal-filtered, deionised water, delivering what the brand describes as a clean, crisp profile with a naturally smooth, slightly sweet finish. It’s also picked up multiple industry awards along the way, underlining its credentials in an increasingly competitive premium vodka space.
Founded in 2018 by Ed Faulkner and Ivo Devereux, Sapling Spirits has always positioned itself at the intersection of sustainability and quality. The idea was sparked during a tree-planting project in Scotland, where the pair spotted an opportunity to build a spirits brand that could operate with genuine environmental responsibility without compromising on the end product.
That ethos has become central to the business. Certified as a B Corp since 2022, Sapling plants a tree for every bottle sold and has already passed the 500,000 mark, with a target of reaching one million by 2027. Its refill schemes and alternative packaging formats have also cut the need for more than 300,000 glass bottles, adding weight to its sustainability claims.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to create a product that is as pure as the earth intended,” said Ivo Devereux, Co-Founder of Sapling Spirits. “Partnering with Sainsbury’s is a natural step for us, their commitment to sustainability, focus on quality, and premium shopper base make them an ideal partner. We’re incredibly proud to be working with a retailer that shares our vision, and excited to see Sapling on shelves across the UK.”
The listing reflects continued retailer interest in spirits brands that can pair premium positioning with credible environmental narratives. For Sainsbury’s, the addition also aligns with its ongoing focus on quality-led innovation within the category.
“We’re excited to be welcoming Sapling Vodka to our shelves this spring,” said Lauren Battrick, Senior Spirits Buyer at Sainsbury’s. “It’s a great quality product with a strong sustainability story that we believe will appeal to Sainsbury’s shoppers”.
To support the launch, Sapling has teamed up with Big Green Egg on a shopper promotion, offering the chance to win one of four MiniMax BBQs alongside branded merchandise—adding a seasonal push as the product rolls out nationwide.
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