Distilleries, especially brandy and grappa distilleries, have for centuries been associated with grape-growing regions, re-processing the by-products of wine production.

No commercial distillery currently exists in the Tamar Valley.

A white spirits distillery can be established quickly and its products brought to market speedily.

Unlike brandy or whisky, most white spirits do not need to be aged in vats or casks. In the case of vodka, fermentation and packaging takes less than four weeks.  

The massive marketing spend being employed in the promotion of flavoured vodkas by major worldwide players, such as Absolut and Stolichnaya, will be used to the ultimate benefit of The Tamar Distillery and its parent company Strait Brands Pty. Ltd..

Typically it takes six months for a new flavoured vodka variety launched in the northern hemisphere to reach Australia. The structure of the Strait Drinks business means it is able to react quickly to new trends and customer preference.

Major international companies complete extensive market research and respond proactively, launching new formulations and flavours mainly in North America and Europe. Only Absolut has an extensive flavoured vodka range marketed internationally.

The prudent management of the proposed operation means product development can be conducted economically, and quickly, to meet seasonal fruit harvests and other opportunities based on prevailing customer tastes. It was no coincidence that Absolut Vodka launched a vanilla variant soon after Coca-Cola launched Vanilla Coke.