Orkney whisky makers clash over ‘first’ claim

Kimbland Distillery has slammed an Orkney producer’s claim that it is the first new whisky distillery on the Scottish island in 138 years.

Orkney-based Deerness Distillery was founded by chartered engineer Stuart Brown and his wife, Adelle, in 2017. The distiller produces gin, vodka and a coffee liqueur in a self-built distillery in the family’s six-acre garden.

Deerness Distillery recently revealed its first move into whisky with a six-figure expansion project, claiming it would become the first whisky distillery on mainland Orkney in 138 years.

However, Kimbland Distillery’s founder and managing director, Sebastian Hadfield-Hyde, claimed that Deerness had made a “blunder”.

Hadfield-Hyde said his distillery began operations on Sanday, Orkney, in 2020, and is just weeks away from maturing its first whisky.

‘Totally wrong’

“They’ve made a blunder and it’s totally wrong for them to say they are going to be the first new whisky distillery for 138 years. I was shocked and couldn’t believe what I was reading,” Hadfield-Hyde said.

“It’s not like they don’t know we’re here, as I have spoken to them. It also clearly shows us on the world whisky maps, so I’m unsure why they would make such a statement.

“I don’t really see Deerness as competition because they’re not. Kimbland is a whisky distillery, not a gin distillery playing at whisky.”

In response, Deerness’ Stuart Brown said he had planned to create whisky since the distillery began operations in 2016.

“Deerness Distillery has been an incorporated and operational spirits distillery since 2016, with the vision for distilling whisky in place from the get-go, as well as gins, vodka and liqueurs,” Brown explained.

“We are delighted to hear recently that Kimbland Distillery will be producing a whisky and had a good discussion with them a few weeks back about how our whisky expressions will benefit the Scottish whisky market.

“Orkney has a long and proud food and drink heritage and a very active food and drink group where we work together as a team to promote the brand ‘Orkney’ to visitors to the island and at shows and events. We look forward to sharing a dram or two with the team at Kimbland in the future.”

Kimbland is also due to launch an equity funding round, followed by the release of its first casks.

Kimbland is creating whisky using Bere barley, which will be left to mature for at least 10 years. The whisky will be known as ‘Taftness’.

“The Deerness claims were really bad timing for us, as we are just about to launch our Seedrs equity campaign,” Hadfield-Hyde added. “The plan was to put aside casks after we had done that, but we are going to bring that forward and make 50 casks available.

“For the future, I’m all for pushing small Orkney brands across the world and having the two new whisky distilleries will enhance the reputation Orkney has for great produce.”

Kimbland claims to be the northernmost Scotch whisky distillery in the world and is aiming to become a carbon-negative operation.