An award-winning distillery housed in an 18th century Oxfordshire barn has been slammed by hygiene inspectors.

The Henley Distillery at Hampstead Farm was opened in 2021 and produces gin and rum in the historic barn in the countryside.

Recognised with awards such as the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group’s SME Business of the Year, the business is a popular tourist attraction with distillery experiences available.

Yet the Environmental Health team from South Oxfordshire District Council were left disappointed with what they found during their inspection on Wednesday, March 27.

READ MORE: Oxford kebab shop 'unacceptably dirty' and poses rat risk

The Henley Distillery was visited by hygiene inspectors.The Henley Distillery was visited by hygiene inspectors. (Image: The Henley Distillery)

Stating that “major improvement” was necessary, inspectors handed the distillery a one-out-of-five hygiene rating.

The report stated that improvement was “necessary” regarding the business’ cleanliness and condition of facilities and building.

This includes having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control to enable good food hygiene.

Founder and master distiller Jacob Wilson was angered by the report and told the Oxford Mail that the low score was unfair.

READ MORE: Cockroach infestation at Oxford services shuts down three eateries

The distillery is housed in an Oxfordshire barn.The distillery is housed in an Oxfordshire barn. (Image: The Henley Distillery)

“We were completely shocked by the food hygiene report we had this year,” he said.

“Unfortunately due to the diverse nature of businesses in South Oxfordshire, they do not have specialists in each field to run their audits which meant our auditor had never even set foot in a distillery before visiting us.

“This led to a fundamental lack of understanding of the processes we use to ensure food safety and the nature of the Spirits themselves that we produce.

“We have been given advice and criticism that directly contradicts the guidelines and advice given to us by the accredited SALSA auditors.

READ MORE: Oxford's Art Cafe had 'mice and flies' during inspection

“I would not normally speak so openly as the work the council does is fantastic for the majority of cases, but when dealing with specialist producers like us they show a disappointing lack of knowledge on the subject.

“I am speaking freely as we submitted an appeal regarding the rating straight after the audit but have disappointingly heard nothing back in several months.”

Mr Wilson has ensured customers that the hygiene standards at the distillery are still at the top level despite the damning report.

“At the distillery we hold ourselves to an incredibly high standard of food hygiene,” he said.

READ MORE: 'Live flies' in chiller and 'out-of-date food served' at zero-rated pub

The Oxfordshire distillery produces gin and rum.The Oxfordshire distillery produces gin and rum. (Image: The Henley Distillery)

“So much so that we spent a large part of last year focusing on getting the industry-standard SALSA accreditation which is far more extensive and rigorous than the local Councils’.

“We are audited for a full day by industry professionals with extensive expertise in the specifics of our processes going through every detail of our manufacture and site.

“I am delighted to say we passed this with flying colours and had not a single comment or criticism of any of our procedures, processes or hygiene levels.”

READ MORE: Celebrity chef's old Oxfordshire pub slammed by inspectors

The distillery hosts experiences for visitors.The distillery hosts experiences for visitors. (Image: The Henley Distillery)

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app