William Chase doubles vodka production after bumper potato harvest

William Chase, founder of Chase Distillery, will double production of premium spirits to 500,000 bottles this year after a bumper potato harvest.

Prices of his Chase Vodka will fall by as much as 20pc, with a 35cl bottle reduced from £17.50 to £15.50.

“We had a bit of rain earlier in the year, followed by a fantastic summer. It really is a once in 20 years harvest,” he said.

Last year he made 250,000 bottles of premium spirits, which includes Marmalade Vodka and Elegant Gin.

Mr Chase hopes the lower prices will allow his brand to compete more with the bigger brands.

Mr Chase, who previously founded Tyrrells crisps, makes the potato vodka from scratch in Herefordshire. He uses a bespoke copper batch pot and every bottle is filled and sealed by hand.

It is the only distillery of its kind in the UK, making vodka from potato rather than grain, and employs 30 people.

Chase Vodka was voted the world’s best vodka at the highly competitive San Francisco World Spirits Awards in 2012.