FSS warns ‘not to drink’ Kimbland Distillery spirits
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is urgently warning consumers not to purchase or consume any whisky or gin products produced by Orkney-based distillery Kimbland due to potential health risks.
Founded by Sebastian Hadfield-Hyde, Kimbland Distillery, which is said to make the ‘world’s first’ carbon-negative whisky, began operations on the island of Sanday, Orkney, in 2020, and reportedly began maturing its first Scotch in 2023.
However, today (16 December) the FSS has published a warning stating the company has been producing and selling alcoholic products “without the required safety controls, and has failed to provide evidence that its products meet safety standards.”
Stuart McAdam, head of incidents at FSS, commented: “Following close collaboration with the local authority, we are warning consumers not to drink any products from the Kimbland Distillery due to safety concerns.
“As we approach the festive break, we want to make sure that anyone who may have purchased these for themselves or as a gift, knows about the potential risk that these products may pose.”
The FSS lists the products to be aware of as: new make spirit of whisky (all sizes); Sanday Tempest Gin 700ml; Sanday Sunset Gin 700ml; Sanday No.1 Gin 700ml; and any filled barrels and casks from the distillery.
The Spirits Business has reached out to FSS to confirm what the potential health risks are, and what consumers should do if they have consumed any of the ‘potentially unsafe’ spirits.
Kimbland Distillery has also been contacted for comment. However, according to the BBC, Hadfield-Hyde is said to be “furious and upset” about the warning, as it has come “out of the blue”.
He told BBC Radio Orkney: “I’ve sold hundreds of bottles of gin over the past five years but my premises have been a building site for the last year and a half. I haven’t been producing any spirits in that time, or supplying local wholesalers, or selling through my website.”
Enforcement authorities across Scotland have been directed to identify and contact any establishments that may be stocking these products.
While information suggests distribution is mainly localised to Orkney, the business also operates an online store, and as such some products may have been sold more widely, the FSS noted.
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