Privacy policy

Hinch Distillery Privacy Policy

(Last Updated: 18 November 2024)

Hinch Distillery ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to safeguarding your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you visit our website, hinchdistillery.com.

Registered Office Address:
Hinch Distillery, 19 Carryduff Road, Ballynahinch, BT27 6TZ, United Kingdom

1. Introduction and Scope

This Privacy Policy demonstrates our compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. It describes our commitment to protecting the privacy of our customers concerning the personal data we collect. It applies to all identifiable personal data collected via our website and through third-party applications used to facilitate online sales, bookings for tours, and dining experiences.

Please note that the Hinch Distillery website may contain links to external websites. Our Privacy Policy applies only to our website. If you click on a link to another website, please review their privacy policy.

We will update this policy in line with changes to legislation or our business practices. Always refer to this website for the latest version.

Topics Covered:

  • How we collect your data
  • What personally identifiable information is collected
  • How we use your personal information
  • How long your data is stored
  • Your rights to access and withdraw your personal data
  • Cookies
  • Security
  • Further information and complaints
  • How to contact the appropriate authority

2. How We Collect Your Data

You directly provide Hinch Distillery with most of the data we collect. We collect and process data when you:

  • Place an order for our products or services.
  • Voluntarily complete a customer survey or provide feedback on our message boards or via email.
  • Use or view our website through your browser’s cookies.

3. What Personally Identifiable Information We Collect

We will only record personal data that is relevant and necessary to facilitate our business. This may include:

  1. Your name and, if applicable, the names of others in your group.
  2. Contact information, including phone number, postal address, and email address.
  3. Additional information you provide voluntarily, such as preferences and interests.
  4. Cookies collected during your visit to our website.

4. How We Use Your Personal Information

Hinch Distillery uses the data you provide for the following purposes:

  • To improve and personalise your online experience.
  • To fulfil your orders and send you abandoned checkout reminders.
  • To contact you regarding recent purchases or upcoming bookings.
  • To provide after-sales support.
  • For marketing purposes (with your consent, we may add your email to our mailing list to send you updates about new products, promotions, events, and services).
  • To comply with statutory duties.

5. Sharing you personal information

We Google Analytics as a third party to help us understand how our customers use our website -  you can read more about how Google uses your Personal Information here: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/. You can also opt-out of Google Analytics here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights.

6. Behavioural advertising

We use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at http://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/how-does-it-work.

You can opt out of targeted advertising by using the links below:
- Meta: https://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads
- Google: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/anonymous
- Bing: https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads  

Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at: http://optout.aboutads.info/

7. How Long We Store Your Data

To minimise the amount of personal data we store, we retain it only as long as necessary:

  • For fulfilling sales, services, and after-sales support.
  • If you have opted into receiving marketing updates, we will store your information until you update your preferences (you can do this at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of our emails).
  • For online purchases, we retain your name, address, and any related information for at least 12 months or the product's shelf life, or until the warranty or returns period has expired.
  • For visitors to our Tours and Experiences, we retain your details for 90 days in case we need to contact you regarding your visit.
  • Information collected following a complaint, accident*, or injury will be stored indefinitely to assist with business improvement or to meet statutory obligations.

*The Health and Safety Executive requires us to report certain accidents under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

We conduct annual reviews of personal data to delete any that is no longer required.

8. Your Rights to Access and Withdraw Your Personal Data

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data held by us.
  • Rectification: Correct any inaccurate data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
  • Object: Opt-out of processing your data for direct marketing.
  • Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider.

We will fulfil your requests within 30 days and confirm completion. You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of our communications.

To exercise your rights, please contact us at:
Email: info@hinchdistillery.com

9. Cookies

Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour data. When you visit our website, we may collect information automatically via cookies or similar technology. For more details, visit allaboutcookies.org.

You can set your browser to not accept cookies, and this website explains how to remove them. However, some website features may not function properly as a result.

 

10. Security

Hinch Distillery will never share**, sell, or publish your personal data and will take all reasonable measures to prevent its loss, misuse, or alteration.

All personally identifiable data is stored on secure servers in a controlled environment. Where sensitive information, such as credit card details, is collected, it is encrypted. Look for the padlock icon and "https" in your browser, which indicates our site is secure.

In line with GDPR, only employees with a legitimate business need can access your data (e.g., our accounts team for order processing). You will be contacted if there is a loss of your personally identifiable data.

11. International Users

Please be aware that we may transfer, store, and process your personal information outside the country in which you reside. Your personal information may also be processed by our staff, third-party service providers, and partners in these countries.

If we transfer your personal information outside of the United Kingdom or the European Economic Area (EEA), we will rely on recognised transfer mechanisms, such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent contracts issued by the relevant competent authority in the UK, unless the data transfer is to a country that has been determined to provide an adequate level of protection.

12. Security and Retention of Your Information

We take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information. However, please be aware that no security measures are completely foolproof, and we cannot guarantee "perfect security." Additionally, any information you transmit to us may not be secure while in transit. We recommend avoiding the use of insecure channels to communicate sensitive or confidential information.

The retention period for your personal information depends on various factors, such as:

  • Whether we need the information to maintain your account.
  • Providing the Services or fulfilling a contract with you.
  • Complying with legal obligations.
  • Resolving disputes or enforcing other applicable contracts and policies.

We regularly review the personal information we hold and delete data that is no longer required for these purposes.

13. Children's Data (Under 18 Years of Age)

The services provided by Hinch Distillery are not intended for use by children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with their personal information, please contact us using the details below to request its deletion.

As of the effective date of this Privacy Policy, we do not have actual knowledge that we "share" or "sell" (as defined by applicable law) personal information of individuals under 18 years of age.

14. Further Information and Complaints

If you have any general enquiries, complaints, or questions about how your personal data is used, please contact our Compliance Department:

Email: matthew.patterson@hinchdistillery.com
Post: Compliance Dept, 19 Carryduff Road, Boardmills, Ballynahinch, Co. Down, BT27 6TZ, Northern Ireland

15. How to Contact the Appropriate Authority

If you believe we have not addressed your concerns satisfactorily, you may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office:

Email: icocasework@ico.org.uk
Address: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF