Halewood buys 48% stake in Vestal Vodka

UK-based Halewood Wines & Spirits has acquired a 48% stake in Vestal Vodka for an undisclosed sum.

Vestal Vodka has released a 2015 vintage bottling to mark its deal with Halewood Wines & Spirits

The deal between Liverpool-headquartered Halewood Wines & Spirits and the Polish vodka brand comes as both firms seek to “take advantage of what they see as the coming revival of vodka”.

The agreement also builds on Halewood’s focus on artisanal spirits, which helped to boost group revenues by 26% in 2019, and pre-tax profits, which were up 15% to £26.3 million (US$34.4m).

Vestal Vodka was founded by bar owner William Borrell in 2011. It is made at Borrell’s family farm in the Kaszubia region of Poland and only uses traditional potato varieties for its vodka.

To mark the deal, Vestal has released a new bottle design and a 2015 vintage, which is said to have the longest known rest period for any vodka at four years. As a result of its extended resting period, the “harsher elements” of distillation are removed from the vodka.

It is described as being “creamy and buttery with earthy spices and a delicate fruit aroma with a soft and pleasant finish, complete with warming nutmeg and white pepper notes”. Vestal Vodka 2015 vintage is priced at £22 (US$28) per 700ml bottle.

The new bottle is made from recycled glass and has a triangular shape, along with a design that celebrates the brand’s Polish heritage.

Vestal Vodka is available in 10 countries globally.

In February last year, Borrell moved into the low-alcohol space with the launch of Willow, a 4.4% abv spirit-based beverage.