Distillery chases premium drinks market

Chase Distillery has room for considerable expansion this year and is in the midst of a frenetic new product development programme, according to the firm, which grew out of Tyrrells Potato Chips.

The company - which is based at Rosemaund Farm, near Hereford - has been active for a year and a half, starting with the launch of Chase potato vodka in 2008. It is now branching into Chase Distillery Smoked Vodka and Williams Gin, which is made from apples. The products have been launched into limited distribution for customers including Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Waitrose.
Chase Distillery now also produces five types of fruit liqueur: blackcurrant, raspberry, elderflower, rhubarb and white peach.
Referring to future product development, distiller Jamie Baxter said: “We’re quite interested in the flavoured vodkas that are coming on stream. We now have smoked vodka and we’re looking at flavours that are similarly quirky.”
The distillery has a total capacity of 3,500 bottles a week and is currently operating at half that, targeting the premium end of the market. One of its aims for 2010 is to expand its export business, according to Baxter.