Chase Vodka has struck a new national listings deal with Waitrose that it reckons will help boost turnover from £1m to £15m by 2016.
The upmarket distillery, which is owned by Tyrrells founder William Chase, revealed this week that its super-premium Chase Vodka (rsp: £29) would be available in 240 Waitrose stores this spring as opposed to the current 80.
As well as the brand's original vodka, Waitrose will be introducing Chase's Marmalade Vodka (also rsp: £29) and has expressed interest in its Smoked Vodka. Both have previously only been available in selected specialist drinks shops.
The deal would enable the vodka company to increase investment in manufacturing and accelerate its already strong sales growth, said MD Kate Shropshire.
Waitrose had been "impressed and shocked" by the hi-tech distillery at Chase's farm in the Herefordshire countryside, she said. Chase currently recorded a turnover of £1m a year and expected to hit £2.5m next year and £15m by 2016, she confirmed.
"Could the Waitrose deal encourage other multiples to list us? It couldn't hurt," she added. "We first arrived in selected Waitrose stores three years ago but never expected to get a national deal so quickly."
Shropshire said the company would now be forced to recruit new staff and a master vodka distiller who would provide expert help in tasting the tipple.
"These guys are very hard to find in the UK. It's easy to find whisky specialists but not vodka."
Chase Vodka is the most expensive vodka sold by Waitrose.
The upmarket distillery, which is owned by Tyrrells founder William Chase, revealed this week that its super-premium Chase Vodka (rsp: £29) would be available in 240 Waitrose stores this spring as opposed to the current 80.
As well as the brand's original vodka, Waitrose will be introducing Chase's Marmalade Vodka (also rsp: £29) and has expressed interest in its Smoked Vodka. Both have previously only been available in selected specialist drinks shops.
The deal would enable the vodka company to increase investment in manufacturing and accelerate its already strong sales growth, said MD Kate Shropshire.
Waitrose had been "impressed and shocked" by the hi-tech distillery at Chase's farm in the Herefordshire countryside, she said. Chase currently recorded a turnover of £1m a year and expected to hit £2.5m next year and £15m by 2016, she confirmed.
"Could the Waitrose deal encourage other multiples to list us? It couldn't hurt," she added. "We first arrived in selected Waitrose stores three years ago but never expected to get a national deal so quickly."
Shropshire said the company would now be forced to recruit new staff and a master vodka distiller who would provide expert help in tasting the tipple.
"These guys are very hard to find in the UK. It's easy to find whisky specialists but not vodka."
Chase Vodka is the most expensive vodka sold by Waitrose.
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