By Lexi Boddy / Traveling Correspondent (currently in Exeter)
We all know where to turn to for the world’s top-notch* vodka; or do we? Who would have thought it would be the UK? As it turns out, this spiffing* country can lay down the fundamentals to produce a ruddy-good* spud! As we know (or should know), vodka can be fermented and distilled from any starch/sugar-rich plant, like grains and surprise surprise, potatoes!
Chase Vodka has taken the crowning glory at the San Francisco World Spirits Championship, pushing out a whopping 115 of it is rival vodkas (including the best from Russia and Poland) in a blind tasting by 30 judges with some jolly* sophisticated taste buds.
And where is this delicious intoxicating substance created? Well, for those of you from or who have heard of London, it is as far west as you can travel without stepping into Wales, although arguably parts of Herefordshire are in Wales and its residents certainly have a Welsh twang (NEVER tell them that!)
In an article on bbc.co.uk, Will Smale said “it is enough to make a patriotic Russian need a stiff drink to get over the shock – an English vodka has been voted the best in the world.”
Herefordshire is farmer territory and home to William Chase and farm; mastermind and machine behind this English potato vodka. William Chase, 50, was no stranger to utilising his potato yield when his brainchild was born, having already made a huge success out of his range of posh organic crisps*, some of you may know them… Tyrrells hand cooked potato chips, just another fabulously British product.
As most of us will know, although great pleasure can be gained from eating crunchy, rustic, organic handmade crisps, they lack the presence of the illustrious liquid that so many of us thrive on. It is no wonder William sold Tyrrells and concentrated his gallant efforts on producing a spot of the best vodka in the world.
In 2008, after 4 years of delightful budding, the award winning spirit was born and bottled. Chase distillery now does a range of alcoholic bevies* from the scrumptiously tasty ‘Naked Chase Vodka’, an apple infused vodka using their own organic apples, to the traditionally and of course fabulously British ‘Sloe Gin’ (my personal favourite).
The most delightful part is that every step in the process from perfect soil to perfect sale is done on the farm; and in a society where organic is certainly seen as trendy, intimate relationships between manufacture and product can be a marketing gold mine in itself. But posh means pricey and a 70cl bottle of Chase Vodka will set you back 32.95 quid* (US$53.82).
The Chase distillery pride themselves on their pedigree brand, are now aiming to ring in the top-notch Gin (which apparently is made from top-notch vodka – who knew?) and is heading to the US – so y’all should watch out!
The taste test? Some may say it “is complex on the palate, with notes of mashed potato and butter, leading onto a slightly smoked almond finish, with a hint of black pepper.” But they’re the ones who have the jolly sophisticated taste buds! Try this for yourselves and for goodness sake, do not shoot it or add cola, it is to be sipped and tasted, and yes… it is that good. Who knew what pleasure this humble spud could bring?
“What has really helped us in the US – in addition to winning the award – is that Americas love an English brand, even if England isn’t traditionally associated with vodka” said Chase.
Chin-chin*!
*For those of you from across the pond… Here’s some fabulously British terminology (In order of appearance):
Top-notch = best
Spiffing = excellent, splendid
Ruddy good = bloody good
Spud = potato, perhaps most commonly known to many in the form of a chip.
Chip = French fry.
Jolly = super (in this context)
Crisps = chips (hahahaha)
Bevies = drinks
Quid = Great British Pound
Chin-chin = cheers
Follow Chase Vodka on Facebook here and on Twitter here.
Images from http://www.chasedistillery.co.uk/
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