That's the spirit! Oxford Distillery TOAD scoops OXLEP New Business Award 2018

The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD) has been named OXLEP New Business of the Year 2018 and was a runner up in the Retail Award category at last Friday’s Oxfordshire Business Awards (OXBA) ceremony.  The announcement was made at a event attended by over 400 guests, presenters and sponsors at the John Henry Brooke’s building at Brookes University Headington Campus. TV presenter Chris Hollins compered the evening and Nigel Tipple, CEO of New Business Award sponsor Oxfordshire LEP, presented the trophy to a delighted team TOAD. The accolade comes less than a year after TOAD opened as Oxford’s first distillery last July and is in recognition of the company’s contribution to Oxford’s vibrant business and tourism scene. In less than 12 months, TOAD has secured over 200 points of sale in Oxfordshire and the South, has launched five spirits including two gins under licence for the University of Oxford, has attracted extensive national tv and press attention and is currently ranked the number two attraction by TripAdvisor for visitors to Oxford. An artisan distillery which grows its own grain sustainably and organically in fields close to Oxford, TOAD creates its premium spirits from scratch, offering the increasingly discerning consumer of craft spirits total provenance, craftsmanship and transparency of production. The grain used in TOAD’s spirits are ancient heritage varieties, farmed in ways which support biodiversity and soil health. CEO and Founder Tom Nicolson said: “We are all very proud to have been nominated for two prestigious awards – and both before our first birthday!   This city is vibrating with creativity and talent so to walk away as the winner of the Best New Business Award and finalist for the Retail Award is a very special feeling. Personally, I would like to thank everyone at TOAD for all their hard work, but also a special thanks to all the people out there who appreciate our delicious spirits and our dedicated approach to sustainable craft distilling. Onwards! " See www.spritoftoad.co.uk or call at the distillery to purchase spirits or book a tour: Old Depot, South Park, Cheney Lane, Oxford OX3 7QJ.  Phone: 01865 767918