The Chase Taste: Weber & Tring's

On Wednesday evening we were lucky enough to attend a tasting session given by Chase distillery at Weber & Tring's.
After the dissolution of the Milk Thistle's Gin Club we at Bristol Whipped have been missing our spirits education, so we jumped at the chance to attend!
This was our first trip to Weber & Tring's, and we were not disappointed, after a quick nose around the shop we headed down to the cosy & atmospheric 'vault', ready for our journey to take place.

So I have to admit I started out a little sceptical - only because drinking vodka just brings back hazy memories of cheap spirits that could probably be used to strip paint off wood, mixed with sickly heart-attack inducing energy drinks - not my ideal drink of choice... Plus generally, we Bristol Whipped fellows are fans of the mother's ruin when it comes to a cheeky tipple.
However my worries were soon laid to rest after the first sip of Chase (original) - who knew vodka could be so flavourful! We were told how the taste comes from basing the spirit on potatoes, rather than just grain - easy to believe with the subtly creamy taste.

Next up was the Naked Vodka - lighter & sweeter than the original, it gave off a tantalising aroma of apple sherbet - a good contender for a fresh, summery cocktail me thinks.

It was the taste of the Smoked Vodka however when things really started to get interesting! Made by blowing smoke through the water during the production process, this offering succeeded in making us all hungry for a bit of charcuterie - some cheese or smoked ham would go delightfully paired with a drop of this.
Personally I was also reminded a little of good smokey stouts, and can imagine it would help make a particularly delicious Bloody Mary.

Lucky for us gin fans we were also treated to tastes of the Williams Extra Dry Gin & Williams Elegant & Crisp Gin, the former with an amazingly spicy & Christmassy taste (recommended to be served with a little ginger, lemon peel & thyme), the latter with a lighter, crisp finish (an excellent Martini base).

Lastly, we were introduced to the flavoured vodkas. I know what you're thinking, but flavoured vodkas don't always have to be sickly, neon and served on a 6 shot stick... (birthday cake flavour - what's that all about?). These vodkas were made by mixing with real fresh fruit, producing an intense and tantalising flavour.
The Marmalade vodka, made with zesty Seville oranges for a rich, bittersweet taste, would make the perfect Breakfast Martini, we were told, whereas the serving suggestion for the Rhubarb Vodka was with ginger ale & tonic. However, the beautiful rhubarb taste - sweet, tart, creamy - could, as far as I'm concerned, easily be enjoyed neat!

The evening ended on a high with a sweet & syrupy Elderflower Liqueur, conjuring up visions of English gardens & long lazy summer afternoons (pair with the Elegant & Crisp gin for something special). 

All in all it was an excellent education into the world of Chase (did you know that Tyrrells crisps originally spring from the Chase family?), and a pleasant surprise for an (ex)vodka sceptic!
And of course a big thank you to the guys at Weber & Tring's! We'll definitely be back to visit soon for some tasty delights (we've got an eye on those beautiful bitters!).

Let me know your thoughts on Chase, or if you've got any inspired cocktail recipes & serving suggestions!