URGENT: Kimbland Distillery Orkney Issues ‘Do Not Drink’ Recall on Gin and Whisky
Warning: If you have purchased any spirits from Kimbland Distillery Orkney, stop consuming them immediately.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has issued a blanket “Do Not Drink” alert for the entire product range of this Sanday-based producer. This is not a precautionary measure for a minor labeling error; it is a critical safety recall due to a fundamental “lack of safety controls” during production.
Whether you are a local resident, a tourist who bought a souvenir bottle of Sanday Tempest Gin, or an investor holding a cask of their “carbon negative” whisky, this situation affects you directly.
Below is the verified breakdown of which bottles are unsafe, the official guidance from regulators, and what this means for investors caught in the fallout.
The Official Recall: Which Products Are Unsafe?
The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) alert, issued on 16 December 2025, leaves no room for ambiguity. The regulator has flagged all products produced by Kimbland Distillery as unsafe. There is no specific batch code to check because the safety failure applies to the facility’s entire output.
If you own any of the following, do not open the bottle. If open, do not drink another drop.
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Sanday Tempest Gin (All sizes)
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Sanday Sunset Gin (All sizes)
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Sanday No.1 Gin (All sizes)
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New Make Spirit of Whisky (All sizes and strengths)
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Unbottled Casks (filled with New Make Spirit)
Stuart McAdam, Head of Incidents at FSS, stated explicitly that the agency has seized all spirits at the site. The core issue is that the distillery cannot provide evidence that they followed safe production methods. In the eyes of the law, every drop produced at that location is now a potential health hazard.
Why Was Kimbland Distillery Flagged?
For those following the Scotch whisky industry, a recall of this magnitude is rare. Usually, a recall affects a single batch due to glass contamination or a labeling mistake. This is different.
“Lack of Safety Controls” Explained
The FSS warning cites a “lack of safety controls.” In distillation terms, this is severe. Distilling spirits involves separating ethanol (safe alcohol) from methanol (toxic alcohol) and other volatile compounds.
If a distillery lacks proper controls, such as temperature monitoring, accurate “cuts” (separating the head, heart, and tail of the spirit), or hygiene protocols, the resulting liquid can be dangerous. Methanol consumption, even in small amounts, can cause serious illness. While the FSS has not confirmed specific illnesses yet, the risk is high enough to warrant a total shutdown of their stock.
The “Carbon Negative” Claims Under Scrutiny
Kimbland Distillery Orkney built its brand on being “carbon negative” and using ancient Bere Barley. Their marketing leaned heavily on the sustainable, eco-friendly narrative, positioning themselves as a modern, ethical alternative in the whisky world.
This recall highlights a harsh reality: a compelling brand story never overrides the need for basic chemical safety. High-tech sustainability claims are meaningless if the fundamental food safety management system (FSMS) is non-existent.
Impact on Cask Investors & “Carbon Negative” Schemes
This section is critical for those who looked beyond the gin and invested in the future of Kimbland.
The Investment Risk
Many enthusiasts purchased casks of New Make Spirit from Kimbland, often paying upwards of £3,000 per cask under the promise of owning a piece of “Orkney’s sustainable future.”
The FSS ruling categorizes “New Make Spirit” as unsafe. This creates a nightmare scenario for investors. If the spirit in your cask was produced without safety controls, it cannot legally be bottled or sold. It effectively becomes hazardous waste.
Next Steps for Investors
If you hold a cask certificate:
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Do not attempt to bottle it: No bottling plant will touch liquid that is subject to an FSS recall.
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Contact your payment provider: If you purchased the cask recently, contact your credit card issuer or bank immediately to dispute the transaction given the product is legally unfit for purpose.
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Monitor Insolvency News: With their inventory seized and sales halted, the financial viability of Kimbland Distillery is in serious question. You may need to register as a creditor if the company enters administration.
Background: Kimbland vs. The Industry
To understand how we got here, we must look at the operator behind the brand.
Kimbland Distillery is located on the remote island of Sanday and is run by Sebastian Hadfield-Hyde. The distillery has been a controversial topic in Orkney even before this safety failure.
In 2023, the brand was involved in a public spat, dubbed the “Whisky Wars”, with Deerness Distillery. Hadfield-Hyde claimed Kimbland was the “first” new whisky distillery in Orkney since Highland Park and Scapa. This was hotly contested by Deerness, who had already secured their licensing.
This history of aggressive PR and bold claims stands in stark contrast to today’s news. It suggests a pattern where marketing ambition may have outpaced operational discipline.
Consumer Rights: How to Get a Refund
If you have a bottle of Sanday Gin or Kimbland Whisky on your shelf, you are entitled to a refund. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, products must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. A “Do Not Drink” warning renders them unfit.
If You Bought From a Retailer
Go back to the shop where you bought it.
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You do not need to prove you are ill. The FSS notice is sufficient proof the product is faulty.
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Bring the bottle (sealed or unsealed) and your receipt.
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The retailer must refund you. They will then claim the cost back from the supplier.
If You Bought Direct Online
Contacting Kimbland Distillery directly may be difficult, as their operations are likely suspended.
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Send a formal email requesting a refund, citing the FSS recall.
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If you do not receive a reply within 14 days, or if their website goes offline, initiate a “Chargeback” with your bank. Provide the Food Standards Scotland Alert as evidence.
FAQs
Is Kimbland Distillery whisky safe to drink?
No. Food Standards Scotland has issued a “Do Not Drink” warning for all alcohol produced by Kimbland Distillery due to a lack of safety controls.
What specific Kimbland gins are recalled?
The recall covers Sanday Tempest Gin, Sanday Sunset Gin, and Sanday No.1 Gin. All batch codes and sizes are affected.
Has Kimbland Distillery closed down?
As of December 2025, the distillery’s inventory has been seized, and they are under enforcement action. While a formal closure hasn’t been announced, they cannot legally sell or produce alcohol.
What is “New Make Spirit”?
New Make Spirit is high-strength alcohol that comes legally off the still. It must be aged in oak casks for three years to be called “Scotch Whisky.” Kimbland sold this spirit to investors in casks.
Summary
The situation at Kimbland Distillery Orkney is developing, but the immediate advice is static: Stop drinking these products.
The failure to maintain safety controls is a severe breach of trust for a producer dealing in high-strength alcohol. For investors and drinkers alike, the priority now is safety and financial recovery. We will update this page as more information regarding the distillery’s future becomes available.
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