Filtered through sand from the Cornish coast: Christopher Briers about Connie Glaze Vodka

The Southwestern Distillery, which is also known for Tarquin’s Cornish Gin and Twin Fin Rum, has its home on the Cornish coast in England. This is exactly what founder and master distiller Tarquin Leadbetter has utilised for Connie Glaze Vodka. He was inspired by Constantine Bay on the wild Cornish coast. Each small batch of the vodka is distilled from 100% British wheat and then slowly filtered through sand to produce a pure spirit with a hint of fresh old-world breeze. The Slow Sand Filtered Vodka has been distributed in Germany by WINEFACTORY since the beginning of the year.

We spoke to Christopher Briers, Head of International and Travel Retail at Southwestern Distillery, about the distribution and plans in Germany as well as the production of the vodka and its flavour.

When was the Southwestern Distillery founded? What is there to tell about it?

Christopher Briers: Southwestern Distillery was founded back in 2012 by self-taught Master Distiller Tarquin Leadbetter using old techniques in a converted cow shed on the Wild Cornish Coast.

At just 23 years old, Tarquin found himself stuck behind a grey desk in a corporate job in London. He quickly realized this environment was at odds with what really makes him tick, so he handed in his notice and headed back to Cornwall on a mission to set up the first gin distillery in the South West of England for over 100 years.

Over the course of the next 12 months, Tarquin spends his days and nights tirelessly experimenting to create the perfect Dry Gin recipe. After many taste tests and sore heads, he stumbles upon a winner boasting 12 botanicals sourced around the world. The recipe for his now famous Cornish Dry Gin is decided and finally Southwestern Distillery is born!

What products does the portfolio include?

Christopher Briers: Over the last 10 years, Tarquin and his team of distillers continued to push the boundaries of flavour innovation with countless new dry and fruit infused gins. Including… Tarquin’s SeaDog Navy Strength Gin which won “World’s Best Gin in 2017” at the San Fransisco Spirit Awards.

Every bottle of Tarquin’s Gin is still made by hand on the Wild Cornish Coast. The beating hearts of our Distillery are Tarquin’s 250 litre, flame-fired copper pot stills and we proudly wax and stamp every bottle by hand.

In 2018, Tarquin established Twin Fin Rum. Blending the finest Caribbean rums with fruits & spices from around the world at our Distillery HQ in Cornwall. To create a rum made for the beach, including our Golden Spiced Rum and Coconut & Lychee rums – both are delicious in fresh cocktails and paired with simple mixers.

Connie Glaze Vodka is brand new. How was the product created?

Christopher Briers: Connie Glaze is the latest innovation from maverick master-distiller Tarquin Leadbetter.

Rather than using traditional charcoal to filter his vodka, Tarquin was inspired by Constantine Bay, the iconic Cornish beach we call home. So instead, he decided to use golden Cornish sand and spent 2 years developing his new Slow Sand Filtered Vodka.

How exactly is Slow Sand Filtered Vodka made?

Christopher Briers: Connie Glaze Vodka is distilled with 100% British Wheat then slowly filtered through purified, golden sand from our local Cornish beaches, to give a pure & smooth vodka as fresh as the Atlantic breeze.

Named after the incredible golden sand beaches of Constantine Bay and the crisp clean blue water of the Atlantic Ocean, Connie, short for Constantine and Glaze, meaning ‘Blue’ in Cornish. The team at Southwestern Distillery is dedicated to protecting their local beaches, 1% of all sales of Connie Glaze Vodka is given to a Beach Clean charity to support their work preserving our coastlines forever!

How is this production reflected in the flavour?

Christopher Briers: A deliciously smooth, pure and clean spirit!

• Nose = fresh as the Atlantic breeze
• Taste = elegant and light with a touch of sweetness
• Finish = distinctly smooth with a rich mouthfeel

What is the best way to drink the vodka?

Christopher Briers: Connie Glaze is best served in a High Tide Spritz – our coastal riff on a classic Vodka Soda Lime:

• 50 ml Connie Glaze Slow Sand Filtered Vodka
• 150 ml Fever-Tree Lime Soda Water
• Garnish: 3 Lime Wedges and Fresh Rosemary Sprigs

Load a highball glass with ice. Add Connie Glaze Vodka, then top up with Lime Soda Water. Garnish with sprigs of rosemary and fresh lime wedges. Squeezing a little bit of lime into your glass for that extra zesty kick! Enjoy!

In Germany, Connie Glaze Vodka is distributed by WINEFACTORY Saar GmbH. Why did you choose this distribution partner?

Christopher Briers: We always believe in making sustainable distribution partnerships. That’s why, we are so proud to be working with WINEFACTORY Saar GmbH who understand our environmental mission and want to help us make this a reality! A big thank you to their team for all the support.

What do you hope to gain from the collaboration and for the German market in general?

Christopher Briers: At Connie Glaze we are on a mission to give back and want to protect and preserve the world’s coastlines forever! That’s why we donate 1% of all sales to a Beach Clean charity.
We are delighted to be entering the German market, so more drinkers can enjoy our deliciously smooth British vodka and we can continue our work preserving beaches around the world!

What else is coming up this year? What is planned?

Christopher Briers: This summer is going to be BIG for Connie Glaze Vodka! We are excited to shortly be launching new products, continue building our beach clean initiatives and see plenty more drinkers enjoying our Slow Sand Filtered Vodka!

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+++ We would like to thank Christopher Briers for the open and very interesting interview! If you also have an interesting brand, then we should talk. Just send us an e-mail with the subject “about-drinks interview” to redaktion@about-drinks.com – we look forward to hearing from you! +++