Who we are
Destination Whisky is a marketplace for whisky experiences, operating from Sydney, Australia. When you book through us, we handle your personal information as described here.
What we collect
When you create an account: your name, email address and password (stored only as a one-way hash — we cannot read it). Optionally your phone number, address, date of birth and a profile photo.
When you book: what you booked, when, for how many people, the amount, and any special requests you send the host.
When you sign in with Google: your name, email address and whether Google has verified that email. We never receive your Google password.
As you browse: which pages and listings you view, the page that sent you to us, and a random session identifier. This is only collected if you agree to analytics cookies. We do not store your IP address alongside it.
When you post a review: your rating, your words, and a one-way fingerprint of your connection. That fingerprint is not your IP address — it can't be turned back into one — and it exists only so we can spot one person posting fake reviews from several accounts.
Payment card details are never collected by us. They go directly to Stripe. We only ever see the outcome — paid or not — and never the card number.
Why we collect it
- To take and manage your booking, and to pass the host what they need to host you.
- To email you about a booking — confirmations, tickets, cancellations, refunds.
- To let you review a place you actually visited.
- To detect fake reviews, so the ratings you rely on are worth relying on.
- To understand which experiences people are interested in (only with your consent).
- To meet our tax and record-keeping obligations.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share it with advertisers.
Who else sees it
The host you book with receives your name, contact details and booking details. They need them to expect you at the door.
Stripe processes payments and payouts, and holds the card details we never see.
Cloudinary stores images you upload.
Google is involved only if you choose to sign in with it.
Our email provider delivers the emails we send you.
Some of these operate outside Australia, which means your information may be stored or processed overseas.
Cookies
Essential cookies keep you signed in and keep your cart — they can't be turned off without breaking the site. Analytics and marketing cookies are optional, and off until you say otherwise. You can change your mind at any time on our cookie settings page.
How long we keep it
Your account details stay for as long as you have an account. Booking and payment records are kept longer, because tax and financial rules require it. Analytics data is kept in a form that isn't tied to your account.
Your rights
You can ask us for a copy of what we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete your account. Email hello@destinationwhisky.life and we'll action it. We may need to keep booking records even after your account is closed, where the law requires it.
If you're unhappy with how we've handled your information, tell us first — we would rather fix it. You can also complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Security
Passwords are hashed, connections are encrypted, and payment details never touch our servers. No system is perfect; if a breach ever affects you, we will tell you.
Changes
If we change this policy in a way that matters, we'll say so here and update the date at the top.