NEWS
COURTESY OF WIGHT VOKDAQ& A
DAN HIZA of Wight Vodka
Wight Vodka has big exposure on
the UK South Coast. What's your
turnover? We do love the British
South Coast and have some great
markets where Wight Vodka is
'pouring well'. We are also a spirit of
choice for higher-end private parties
where people want to try something
a bit different. In this way, Wight
Vodka is 'boutique' in all senses of
the definition, and it’s fair to say we’re
ticking over nicely in the circles who
appreciate a high-quality, relatively
hard-to-come-by spirit.What was the inspiration? I was
coming back into Cowes after a day
on the water when I saw a Mount Gay
flag and thought: “Why doesn’t
anyone come up with a vodka
targeting the yachting crowd?” By
the time I’d tied up, I already decided
that person should be me.Where is Wight Vodka distilled?
Having lots of experience enjoying
vodka over the years, I had zero
experience producing it. We were
lucky to find a seventh generation
distiller in London who took us under
his wing. We distill Wight Vodka in
small batches and thoroughly enjoy
the tasting each time, and sure, we
want to be certain the final batches
are perfect to the nose and palate
(like we hear in all the commercials of
the big global brands), but in reality,
we lean more to the side of having
fun growing the brand.What’s the best way to drink
vodka? With friends, well-
chilled and absolutely neat!Vodka Martini – one part Vermouth
to two vodka? Different tastes for
different sailors, but I prefer the pure
taste of the potato spirit with no
accompaniments. My WV martini is
straight-up, shaken and served in a
chilled martini glass.Isn’t vodka just vodka after a few
shots? Depends on the number of
shots! No, really, each brand has its
own characteristics, from the nose to
the legs, the sharpness or softness
and the finish on the palate.Why is Wight Vodka unique? Wight
Vodka is based on the smoother
potato spirit, whereby 90% of the
other vodkas are based on grain,
which is inherently harsher. We distill
Wight Vodka seven times and add a
touch of natural honeysuckle.Where can one buy a bottle? It’s not
easy to get your hands on a case, but
this draws people into wanting it for
special occasions. Email me on
[email protected]What's the long-term plan? No big,
brash long-term sales targets!It’s said your World’s Favourite
Yachting Bar competition drew 26k
votes last year? Yes, it has gone
rather bonkers with the number of
people voting. Last year we had a
draw between the great Pier View in
Cowes and Plas Heli in Wales.Do you support the idea of
a drink boating law?
AwardsIN ASSOCIATION WITH Yes, absolutely.PAUL ARRO
BRIDLINGTON
First sailing coble
festival announced
The Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society and
The Coble and Keelboat Society (Yorkshire Group), in
co-operation with Bridlington Harbour Commissioners,
are encouraging coble owners to join a sailing coble
festival at Bridlington on 13-14 August. The event is likely
to see one of the largest gatherings of sailing cobles in
the British Isles in recent times.
Four local, restored cobles will be joined by two new
cobles built by John Clarkson and Joe Gelsthorpe in 2014.
The hope is further cobles will attend to make an exciting
flotilla of sail. One owner from Cornwall has already given
his support and intends to bring his vessel. It is hoped a
40ft (12.2m) restored seiner will also make the passage
from the Tyne to take part.
For details contact organiser Paul Arro. Tel: +44 (0)1482- Email: [email protected]
WORD OF THE MONTH
Chapelled
“A ship is said to be chapelled when, after losing way
through the water in a light or baffling wind, it turns
completely around or, when close-hauled, goes about."
Oxford Companion to Ships and the SeaNATIONAL
HISTORIC SHIPS
Flagships
of the year
announced
The 2016 Flagship of the Year is MV Balmoral, in
recognition of her “outstanding extensive UK
programme" for this coming season, which includes
Scotland, North Wales, the Bristol Channel, the South
Coast and London. She receives £500 of aid and a
National Flagship pennant.
Regional Flagship Awards have been made to the
shortboat Kennet in recognition of the intensive
programme of visits within the Shipshape Mersey
Network, focusing on the Leeds-Liverpool canal. She
receives £350 of aid and a regional awards pennant. A
regional flagship award was also made to the sailing
smack Excelsior, in recognition of her 2016 Shipshape
East Anglia programme.