TALISKER SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY AND BILLION OYSTER PROJECT ANNOUNCE SECOND-YEAR PARTNERSHIP TO HELP RESTORE ONE BILLION OYSTERS TO NEW YORK HARBOR

The nonprofit and Single Malt Scotch Whisky are ramping up shell collection efforts, including support of a local tax credit bill that incentivizes shell recycling among New York State restaurants.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[NEW YORK, NEW YORK] May 26 2021 - Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky – made by the sea on Scotland’s Isle of Skye - and New York City nonprofit Billion Oyster Project today announced the extension of their partnership into 2021, marking a second year of collaboration on oyster reef restoration efforts and public education initiatives aimed at restoring one billion oysters - and a ‘wild spirit’ - to New York Harbor by 2035. 

Talisker is the lead sponsor of Billion Oyster Project’s Shell Collection Program, a cornerstone of the nonprofit’s work and an essential recycling process for the resource. Oyster shells provide the base material for oyster reefs, which offer a home for young oysters to grow and hundreds of species in New York Harbor to thrive. Talisker will support Billion Oyster Project’s ongoing shell collection operations, which are expected to collect more than 200,000 pounds of oyster shells from 50 NYC restaurants and divert them from landfills in 2021.  

This year, Talisker is also joining Billion Oyster Project in supporting Senate Bill S4741in New York State. If passed, the bill will award restaurants that donate shells to oyster reef restoration organizations a small tax credit per pound of shell donated. In addition to supporting this crucial environmental initiative, the tax credit will help restaurants that have struggled due to closures and restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is currently being considered by state legislators, so Talisker and Billion Oyster Project urge you to click here to take a few simple steps to support the bill before the State Senate enters recess on June 10.

The Talisker distillery is battered by wind and waves on the rugged coastline on the Isle of Skye in Scotland where oysters are locally farmed and enjoyed. The waters from the nearby sea create the signature maritime and briny notes of Talisker – making this the perfect Scotch for oyster pairing. As an homage to its home by the sea and deep-rooted love of oysters, Talisker is honored to continue partnering with Billion Oyster Project for a second year to preserve the oceans, an essential resource for both bivalves and its whisky, and provide support for local NYC restaurants. 

During the partnership’s inaugural year – and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic – Talisker supported Billion Oyster Project in:

• Collecting 120,000 shells from more than 30 operating bars and restaurants in NYC

  • *Billion Oyster Project’s Shell Collection Program was temporarily suspended from March–August 2020

• Educating over 14,000 members via digital newsletters and social content  

• Co-hosting 7 consumer events – including virtual experiences following nationwide social-distancing guidelines   

• Introducing a new, co-branded Shell Collection Program truck 

“The entire Talisker team is honored to renew and deepen our partnership with Billion Oyster Project for a second year knowing we’ve made a tangible impact on New York City’s oyster reefs,” says Jamie Young, Director of Single Malts for Diageo North America. “Every day, our whisky is influenced by the vast ocean that surrounds us on the Isle of Skye, much like the oysters living in New York Harbor. The sea forms an important part of who we are, and we believe it is our goal to encourage people to embrace the exhilaration of the ocean whilst awakening a desire to protect and restore it for future generations in any way they can.”   

“Thanks to New Yorkers’ love for oysters, shells are plentiful, but sorting, collecting, transporting and storing this valuable resource takes significant effort,” said Pete Malinowski, Executive Director of Billion Oyster Project. “Continued support from Talisker will enable us to rebuild our shell collection program, restore more oyster reefs, and engage more restaurants and community members in creating a healthier Harbor for all New Yorkers to enjoy. We’re grateful for their ongoing commitment to our work.” 

With the help of volunteers and partners since 2014, Billion Oyster Project has:

• Collected over 1,600,000 pounds of used oyster shells

• Planted more than 47,000,000 oysters in New York City waters 

• Engaged more than 10,000 volunteers across various community projects 

• Installed 15 oyster reefs across more than 12 acres

 To learn more about Billion Oyster Project, visit billionoysterproject.org.  

Founded in 1830, Talisker was the first distillery on the Isle of Skye. The distillery’s signature maritime and briny notes are core expressions in Talisker 10 Year Old and Talisker Storm. Talisker invites you to try pairing whisky and oysters by ordering your own bottle online for home delivery via Reservebar.com, Drizly.com or the Drizly app where shipping and delivery are available. Please remember to enjoy a glass of Talisker responsibly. For more information on Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky, visit www.malts.com/en-us/brands/talisker
 

TALISKER CONTACT:

HUNTER
singlemalts@hunterpr.com
212-679-6600 

BILLION OYSTER PROJECT CONTACT:

Helene Hetrick
media@nyharbor.org

ABOUT BILLION OYSTER PROJECT

Billion Oyster Project is a nonprofit organization on a mission to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives. Why oysters? Their reefs have the ability to filter water, provide habitat for many marine species, and help shield NYC shorelines from storm damage. Founded on the belief that restoration without education is temporary and observing that learning outcomes improve when students have the opportunity to work on real restoration projects, collaborating with public schools is fundamental to Billion Oyster Project’s work. Billion Oyster Project designs STEM curriculum through the lens of oyster restoration for New York City schools, engages The Urban Assembly New York Harbor students in large-scale restoration projects, collects discarded oyster shells from 75 New York City restaurants, and engages thousands of volunteers. The project has planted 47 million oysters and installed 15 reef sites so far, with 6,000+ students and nearly 10,000 volunteers. To learn more, subscribe to Billion Oyster Project’s email list at bit.ly/bopnews, and follow @billionoyster on Twitter and Instagram and @billionoysterproject on Facebook.

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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