A SCOTTISH vodka company has sealed an export deal to the US which will rapidly increase the size of the business.

Pincer Vodka currently produces around 1000 cases containing six bottles each year. Now, through an agreement with American distributor Double Eagle Imports, it will produce that much spirit in a month.

One director of the US company tried Pincer while waiting for a flight at Heathrow Airport and liked it so much he contacted executives in Scotland. The vodka is now being launched across parts of Atlanta, Texas and Colorado in the next few months.

Founder Jonathan Engels said: "It is a fantastic deal for us, a real game-changer.

"After they got in touch, we took about six months getting to know each other but they seem perfect for us. They are not an importer which goes around collecting brands for the sake of it.

"As craft beer has been popular in the US, one of their distributors has asked for a portfolio of craft spirits to be put together.

"They have distributors lined up already which they already sell tequila to."

The business was helped in doing background research on Double Eagle by Scottish Development International.

Pincer currently uses distilling and bottling facilities at Ian Macleod in Broxburn, West Lothian.

The vodka is made using extracts of milk thistle and wild elderflower.

Mr Engels, who was an architect prior to concentrating on Pincer full time, is also considering starting a separate distilling operation which would be used to trial new products.

He added: "Our volumes have now reached a point where it is feasible to create our own small batch distillery and so we are currently looking at potential sites in Scotland. Also, through the experience of using wild ingredients in Pincer, I have come across some other really exciting wild Scottish ingredients that could potentially be used to create a range extension."

Pincer is sold in bars across Scotland and London and is stocked in retail outlets such as Selfridges.