Potato Vodka

Barbara Collins, introduces Ireland’s first potato vodka, recently launched by Hughes Craft Distillery

The potato is ubiquitous in Ireland, and of course is the key ingredient in poitin, but a Lisburn Distillery has become the first to make potato vodka

Hughes Craft Distillery in Lisburn is already known for its fruit-based Ruby Blue liqueurs. The company was founded in 2010 by husband and wife team Stuart and Barbara Hughes. The Ruby Blue Craft Irish Potato Vodka is their newest venture.

"We've used our longstanding experience in distilling our very successful range of berry liqueurs to create a distinctive potato vodka. It made sense to us to take potatoes, so long a dietary staple in Ireland, to handcraft small batch vodka that offers super-premium quality with a unique flavour” says Barbara Hughes, sales director

“The first batch pre-sold within a few days of announcing it and now we are working to fulfil orders to some of the best-known on-line retailers, local bars, and restaurants and off licenses.

Ruby Blue Potato Vodka is 40% ABV 80% proof and is described by taste experts as having "an appealing nose with subtle notes of vanilla and crisp apple. The taste is buttery and well-rounded with a heartening earthiness and a long clean finish". It's being marketed as being perfect for those who like to enjoy vodka neat but can also be used to create exceptional cocktails.

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Barbara Collins is a BBC journalist and freelance food, travel and agricultural writer. She contributes regularly to Countryfile magazine, the Farmers Guardian, the Irish News, FFT and the Irish Mail on Sunday. She was Chief Food Writer for Flavour magazine. She is a member of both the UK and Irish Food Writers Guilds and splits her time between Belfast and Galway. Barbara also does menu consultancy and copywriting.

@thegoodchinaset