Food This article is more than 13 years oldVodka from English crispmaker's farm voted best in the world
This article is more than 13 years oldChase distillery in Herefordshire, also home of Tyrells snacks, produces spirit that beats Russia and Poland to top awardIt is more associated with cider but Herefordshire is toasting the success of a vodka produced in the county that has taken top prize in an international drinks competition.
Chase Vodka beat 115 rivals from around the world, including Russia and Poland, to triumph at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The vodka is made using locally grown potatoes by William Chase, the founder of Tyrells crisps, who only began producing vodka two years ago after selling the premium snack brand.
Chase had no distilling experience but decided to aim for the connoisseur end of the vodka market and invested £3m in building a distillery. The potatoes are said to give Chase Vodka a natural sweetness that can be missing from vodkas made of wheat, rye or other crops.
Chase, 45, said: "The reason other people stopped making vodka out of potatoes is because you need so many spuds. The first time we made vodka we had an artic-load of spuds and there was only a few litres.
"You can get a bit more of a yield out of wheat but with the potatoes it has a natural sweetness to the product and the consistency of a fine wine."
Chase produces 1,000 bottles a week and says demand is soaring in the US. "Winning the award has been fantastic for us," he said.
"It has really helped to build up the brand's profile, which is vital. Americans love an English brand, even if England isn't traditionally associated with vodka."
The response from Poland and Russia has not been so enthusiastic. "But you'd expect that under the circumstances," Chase said.
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