A PARTICULAR liking for a niche product was the starting point for an up and coming producer of spirits in Essex.
Alan Gilchrist, founder and owner of 55above, is a big fan of pineapple vodka but struggled to buy it outside of his business trips to such destinations as Dubai.
David Stump, who works closely with Alan at 55above, explains this was the catalyst for Alan, who also runs a software business, trying to find his own closer to the home.
“It was a real favourite of his and when he looked at getting it closer to home he realised there was a real gap in the market for something like that.
“And it pretty much sums up his personality that he thought if he could not get any close by then he would think about setting it up himself,” he adds.
As well as gin the company also produce artisan vodkas, produced in small batches using traditional copper pot distilling methods.
David explains there are three vodkas, the main ingredient for which is potato.
“There is also coconut and toffee alongside the pineapple one.
“As many of the ingredients as possible are locally sourced, obviously with things like the pineapple it is not possible to get those nearby but we try really hard for everything else.
“We prepare everything we can here and then it is made elsewhere on the Essex/Cambridge border,” explains David.
For vodka purists there is also a 56 per cent proof and for gin fans the flavours include orange, rhubarb and raspberry.
“Everyone who works here is very passionate about the gins and vodkas and we all have our particular favourites.
“There are three main staff members and then we have a team who go out to events across the year. I would say we are out most weekends and people get to try the different flavours we have.
“We also are on hand to talk about what you can add to the drinks, the different mixers and cocktails for example.
“For example you can make a toffee apple mojito with the toffee vodka, which I would say is probably our number one bestseller, and elderflower goes really well with the orange gin.”
Buyers can take home the products in either 20 or 70 centilitre bottles and these will be out in force at the Essex Fine Food Show in May at Chelmsford City Racecourse.
“We also let people have the chance to try out the different flavours, of course,” adds David.
He says the trend for artisan products within food and drink has really taken off in Essex and this is why the response to their vodka and gin products has been so positive.
They are among a host of Essex producers being showcased at the inaugural event which will also see celebrity chefs Dean Edwards and John Whaite giving cookery demonstrations.
Also lined up from Essex are Dan Hull prepared foods, which are based in Chelmsford and have already picked up awards for their filled pies, sausage rolls and pates, and Hadley’s Dairy Products from the Colne Valley.
Jane Hadley has also scooped a number of awards for her handmade treats - which were launched as a way of using left over milk from the family dairy farm.
Flavours on offer include caramel and pecan, chocolate, elderflower and lime and lemon curd.
n Essex Fine Food Show is at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14. Admission is from £6. For more details of attending exhibitors visit essexfinefoodshow.co.uk