Aberdeen residents fight whisky plans of ‘mystery’ global player

An application has been granted to allow an unknown major party to store its whisky barrels in St Cyrus, Aberdeen, despite opposition from local residents, who claim the move puts their “lives and homes” at risk.

Property developer Snowdrop Developments has been granted permission to transform three farm sheds in St Cyrus into a space for storing whisky. The approval was given despite objections from nine local residents who fear the ethanol could threaten their health.

Residents are also concerned about potential disasters taking place at the facility due to the “highly flammable” nature of the ageing process.

“Whisky is highly flammable and ethanol given off by the maturation process is explosive and highly toxic,” Michael Ellery, who lives just seven metres from one of the sheds earmarked for the whisky storage, told Aberdeen Live.

Snowdrop’s plans were lodged on behalf of a “mystery whisky client” with more than 8,500 casks stored in 34 locations around Scotland. The unnamed operator says the new site is vital for the growth of its business.

Ross Foster, representing Snowdrop Developments, told a planning committee meeting that “up to three members of staff” would be allocated to take care of the barrels. Senior planner Gregor Spence also told concerned residents that “when operated properly, there shouldn’t be any significant risk of fire, explosion or any type of safety measure.”

He further argued that the health risks from ingesting ethanol “are considered limited”.

However, Pat Bailey, who lives in a neighbouring property to the proposed storage site said: “These vapours cause skin irritation, damage to eyes, shortage of breath, sickness and vomiting. We’ve done extensive research, we’re not stupid  and we’re not overreacting. We want businesses to survive but we are trying to protect our lives and homes.”

Black mould

Bailey claims that local residents would no longer feel comfortable opening their windows due to having ethanol vapours so close by, and flagged “black mould” as being a potentially serious issue for neighbouring buildings.

Last year, US whiskey giant Jack Daniel’s was embroiled in a lawsuit over “black fungus” caused to nearby properties by the angel’s share emanating from its ageing whiskey. Construction of a new barrel warehouse was halted due to the investigation into the mould, which coated neighbouring houses, cars, trees and road signs in Lincoln County, Tennessee, and allegedly caused property values to decline.

One complainant in the Jack Daniel’s case claimed she spent around US$10,000 per year power-washing her house four times a year with bleach to get rid of the problem.

In 2019, a couple in Falkirk, Scotland, sued Diageo for £40,000, claiming that the damage caused to their home by black mould from ethanol vapours from the company’s Bonnybridge whisky bond devalued their property by 5-10%.

Despite the opposition from local residents, the St Cyrus committee has unanimously approved the application for the mystery whisky player to go ahead and store his barrels in the local area.