Chase Distillery
Private company limited by shares | |
Industry | Distillery |
Founded | 2008 |
Founder | William Chase |
Headquarters | Chase farm, Hereford, Herefordshire, United Kingdom |
Area served | World Wide |
Key people | William Chase |
Products |
Vodka Gin Cider |
Brands |
Chase vodka Williams GB Extra Dry Gin Williams Elegant Gins Willy's Cider |
Production output | 10,000 (bottles per week) (February 2016[1][2]) |
Owner | The Chase family |
Website |
www |
Chase Distillery, Ltd. is a British single-estate distillery based in Herefordshire, United Kingdom. William Chase, the former owner and founder of Tyrrells crisps,[3][2] founded the family-run business in 2008. Using ingredients sourced on-site at Rosemaund Farm, the distillery focuses its production on potato vodka, gin and cider.
Chase Distillery won the “Best Vodka Award” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2010 for its Chase vodka.
Company history
On a trip to the USA in 2004, Chase realised that he could use his potatoes to produce vodka. With this realisation, he decided to convert one of his barns into a distillery and purchase a large still. The first harvest occurred on 1 April 2008 and the first batch of vodka was produced in June of the same year.[4] In late 2008, the company expanded its production to include gin. Today, Chase Distillery exports its products to 36 countries around the world, and since February 2016, it sells an average of 10,000 bottles per week.[1][2]
Production
Single-estate distillery
As a single-estate distillery,[5] all spirits produced by Chase Distillery are made using home-grown ingredients.[3][6] Chase Vodka, for example, is made from King Edward and Lady Claire potatoes sourced straight from Rosemaund Farm. Williams Gin is made from the fermentation of organic cider apples grown in the on-site orchard.[7]
Chase Vodka
Chase vodka (40% abv[8]) is the only potato-based vodka produced in England. In 2010, it won “Best Vodka Award” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.[9]
Other vodka products made by Chase Distillery include:
- Naked Chase Apple Vodka (42% abv)[10]
- Marmalade Vodka (40% abv)
- Chase Rhubarb Vodka (40% abv)
- Chase Smoked Vodka (40% abv)
- Chase Brandy Cask Aged Vodka (40% abv)
Williams Gin
Introduced in 2008, Williams Gin is the UK’s only single-estate gin. Its two main variants are Williams Elegant Gin (48%) and Williams GB Extra Dry Gin (40%).[6] In 2013, it was named one of the Telegraph’s “best new gins”.
First produced in 2008, Williams Elegant Gin is a clear, non-vintage, un-aged gin distilled from apple spirits. It contains a blend of 11 botanicals, including Juniper, Coriander seeds, Liquorice, Lemon and Orange peels, Hops, elderflower and Bramley apples, among others. Launched in Spain in 2012, Williams GB Extra Dry Gin uses Chase Vodka as its base.[11] To create the gin, the vodka is infused with juniper buds and berries, along with 10 botanicals including Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Almond, Coriander, Liquorice and Lemon. In 2016, it won a double gold award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Other gin products made by Chase Distillery include:
- Williams Sloe and Mulberry Gin (29% abv)[6]
- Williams Seville Orange Gin (40% abv)[6]
- Chase Fruit Cup (20% abv)
- Chase Eureka Citrus Gin (40% abv)
Maison Williams Chase Wines
Since 2012, Chase Distillery has also been producing wines at Chateau Constantin, a 40 hectare estate near Aix-en-Provence, France.[12]
Willy’s Cider,[13] first produced in 2009, Willy’s Cider serves as the base for Williams Gins and has been bottled as a product in its own right since 2013. The distillery also produces Willy’s Cider Apple Sours.[14]
Further products
Chase Distillery also produces a number of different liqueurs, along with Willy Chase’s Fit Corn and candles.[15]
See also
References
- 1 2 Wilcock, Bryce (5 February 2016). "Chase Distillery lands China deal". Business Quater. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 Smale, Will (8 February 2016). "The potato farmer who swapped bankruptcy for making millions". BBC. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- 1 2 Miller, Rachel. "How I created the world's best vodka from my potato farm in Herefordshire". The Marketing Donut. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Arnott, Sarah, "From posh crisps to best potato vodka", The Independent, 6 January 2011
- ↑ Williams, Holly (15 March 2015). "The family behind the Tyrrells crisps brand has found a new use for its potatoes - artisan vodka". The Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Lyons, Matthew (30 March 2016). "Chase Distillery marks eighth birthday with San Francisco double gold". Harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Hopkins, Amy (5 March 2015). "Top 10 'single estate' spirits". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Davies, Alex, "A Day in the Life Of…" FOUR, 30 January 2014
- ↑ Morris, Steven (11 June 2010). "Vodka from English crispmaker's farm voted best in the world". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- ↑ Caine, Rebecca (5 February 2015). "Chase Distillery in Preston Wynne secures China export deal". Hereford Times. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Williams, Rebecca (25 February 2014). "Williams Chase Gin: The Distillery Tour". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Kearns, Emily (16 May 2013). "Chase to make biodynamic wine and vermouth in Provence". Harpers. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Eads, Lauren (16 January 2015). "'Wonky' Willy's Cider Complaint rejected". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- ↑ "Willy's Cider Apple Sours Second Batch limited edition 75CL". The Champagne Company. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- ↑ Askew, Katy (5 April 2016). "Tyrrells founder Will Chase launches Fit Corn popcorn". Just Food. Retrieved 2 August 2016.