Passenger Wins Over £10K From Heathrow After Whisky Dispute

A senior airline passenger in the UK has won a significant payout after his cherished Macallan whisky collection was confiscated by Heathrow Airport security. Isy LeBlanc, a London-born collector from New York City, had planned a weekend trip across Europe but faced an unexpected setback when he arrived at the international transfer hub.

LeBlanc, 39, had purchased eight bottles of The Macallan’s Harmony Collection for $185 (£137) each and a $2,325 (£1,722) Macallan 25 Year Old, all intended as investment pieces for his extensive whisky collection. He was heading to Paris via New York, but during the transfer at Heathrow on November 23, 2022, he encountered an unexpected hurdle.

LeBlanc’s purchase from a Macallan boutique at JFK Airport were confiscated because they did not comply with security regulations, specifically the limit of one bottle per passenger within a 100 ml container. Furthermore, they had to be packaged in a tamper-evident bag (STEB) and accompanied by proof of purchase.

Despite his belief that he would have no legal case if he voluntarily traveled without the bottles, LeBlanc was forced to remain at Heathrow until family arrived from north London. He left with limited options but decided to return home rather than continue his journey through Paris.

Months of back-and-forth negotiations ensued between LeBlanc and Heathrow’s customer services and security teams, who initially attempted to justify their decision based on the airport’s strict regulations. In March 2023, LeBlanc filed a small claims action at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court for £7,512 plus interest, representing what he believed those bottles would fetch at auction.

Representing himself in August 2025 during his court hearings, LeBlanc managed to convince the judge that he was entitled to keep the confiscated bottles. The decision favored him when he was awarded £10,042.94, covering his claim and legal fees. The award came from Heathrow Airport within two weeks of its ruling.

LeBlanc’s experience highlights a longstanding issue at UK airports: several major facilities continue to enforce a 100 ml liquids rule despite the absence of security requirements for such items. At these locations like Aberdeen, Cardiff, East Midlands, Glasgow International, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, and Newquay, passengers are still required to comply with this guideline.

However, in many other UK airports—such as those at Luton, Stansted, Manchester, and Liverpool—the 100 ml rule is no longer enforced. These locations do not mandate that all liquids be placed in tamper-evident bags or accompanied by proof of purchase if they do not exceed the limit.

In cases where passengers are asked to provide documentation for medical items or essential goods like baby food, compliance with this exemption allows them to travel without restriction. Yet, many travelers continue to encounter challenges at airports under a 100 ml rule, as evidenced by LeBlanc’s ordeal.