AN entrepreneur is toasting success after dreaming up a vodka made from thistles.
Jonathan Engels, 37, experimented at his Glasgow home to find an alcoholic drink that does not cause a hangover.
He came across the idea of combining milk thistle – a supposed hangover cure he discovered as a student – with wild elderflower.
After positive reviews he started up Pincer Vodka.
Now, after a long battle to win over possible customers, he has struck deals with distributors in the US, Spain and Russia and this year is in line to turn over £600,000.
Mr Engels has even secured a deal with Waitrose and is in talks to build his own distillery.
He said: "We have picked up a lot of celebrity fans. Snow Patrol have purchased over 1000 bottles, which they give out as presents on tour."
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