Crisp firm awaiting vodka licence

A Herefordshire crisp company that is preparing to use some of its potatoes for distilling vodka is expected to receive a licence this week.

Using potatoes too small to become crisps, Tyrrells Potato Vodka will retail at about £33 for a 700ml bottle.

The planned distillery, near Leominster, is ready to begin production once Tyrrells receives its licence from HM Customs & Excise.

It will be able to produce up to 3,500 bottles of vodka a week.

Potato vodka, although widely drunk in Poland, is less common elsewhere as most vodka is made from wheat or rye.

Tyrrells distiller Jamie Baxter said: "There is a chemical reaction between the alcohol and the copper which improves the vodka.

"Most vodka is distilled using stainless steel then finished off in copper."