Heritage & Distillery
Chase Distillery, founded by William Chase of Tyrrells crisp fame, occupies a singular position in the English spirits landscape — a genuine field-to-bottle operation in Herefordshire where the potatoes are grown, distilled, and bottled on the same farm. The distillery's copper pot still, affectionately named Ginny, was custom-built and is one of the tallest in Europe, producing a spirit of notable refinement from the estate-grown King Edward and Lady Claire potatoes.
The journey from premium crisps to premium vodka is an unlikely but logical one — William Chase understood potato quality and provenance from his Tyrrells days, and that agricultural expertise translates directly into the character of the finished spirit. Chase was among the first English vodkas to gain serious international recognition, winning the San Francisco World Spirits Competition's Best Vodka award and establishing a template for English craft vodka that others have followed.
Tasting Notes
The nose is creamy and warm — vanilla, white pepper, subtle earth, and a hint of fresh cream that speaks of the potato base. On the palate, the vodka is smooth and characterful with creamy potato richness, vanilla, white pepper spice, and a gentle butterscotch sweetness. The copper pot still contributes a rounded, warm character that distinguishes this from column-distilled competitors. The finish is medium-long with lingering cream, pepper, and a clean, satisfying warmth.
Verdict
At eight out of ten, Chase Premium Vodka is a benchmark for English potato vodka — a spirit of genuine character and provenance that demonstrates the quality achievable when world-class agricultural expertise meets skilled distillation. At just over thirty pounds, it represents excellent value for a spirit of this quality and distinction.
