Final week, we printed our first ever Fish Booze Friday evaluate, placing a stiff spin on Andy Nabreski’s long-standing Fish Beer Friday opinions. In case you missed it, the booze of selection was Crab Trapper Whiskey from Tamworth Distilling in New Hampshire. After an workplace style take a look at, we concurred that if there was ever an official booze for die-hard tautog fishermen, Crab Trapper is it.
“It’s undoubtedly manner higher than sea worm whiskey.” – Andy Nabreski
“You possibly can actually style the crab.” – Jimmy Price
Nevertheless, the OTW staff hadn’t had our fill of shellfish spirits. So, proper round 5 o’clock, we cracked open a bottle of the Industrious Spirit Firm’s Ostreida vodka, which is distilled with… you guessed it, contemporary oysters.
Oysters are important to sustaining a wholesome, balanced saltwater surroundings. Every particular person oyster is able to filtering over 150 liters (40 gallons) of water per day. In keeping with NOAA, oysters feed on algae and micro organism by filtering them out of the water, like an underwater street-cleaning crew. This filtration course of dilutes vitamins within the water, so too many oysters in a single space will be simply as detrimental as having no oysters in any respect. To search out one other use for these vital mollusks, ISCO Spirits determined to make the most of their filtration skills to create an exceptionally clean, barely salty vodka.
The Industrious Spirit Firm is predicated in Windfall, Rhode Island, the place they produce all of their spirits from scratch. Their hand-crafted Ostreida vodka, which was launched in 2018, performs a surprisingly vital function within the areas of sustainability and supporting regional/native shellfish farming operations. A portion of gross sales from every bottle goes to GreenWave— a non-profit group that helps a community of regenerative ocean farmers—and every bottle of Ostreida vodka is tagged with the particular oyster farm and harvest location used to make that batch. Every 750mL bottle is simply $40, though the bottle’s elegant design mixed with the crisp, refreshing taste profile will go away you pondering it prices double that.
Stirred on ice and strained, my glass frosted up and I tossed again the primary sip like a freshly shucked oyster. My style buds had been met with a delicate, nearly buttery vanilla taste which, in contrast to many vodkas, completed clean with a slight trace of saltiness paying homage to the waters from whence the oysters got here. As a result of the 100% natural corn-based vodka is distilled with oysters within the precise nonetheless, it’s extremely mellow and lacks the disagreeable burn that concludes the style of most massive identify model vodkas. And consider it or not, there is no such thing as a fishiness to it. As a substitute, the delightfully briny opening taste is rounded out with notes of earthy minerality that might make Ostreida an incredible base for a Bloody Mary, a vodka tonic with lemon, or a grimy martini. Nevertheless, it won’t be my #1 selection for a Moscow Mule or a Gimlet.
Total, that is an approachable vodka with a savory, creamy end that may be loved equally by the blue collar bass fisherman who simply acquired off the water, or the clean-cut conservationist at a cocktail social gathering. It’s like a low salinity, consumable sea water able to providing you with a buzz.
“It’s a pleasant vodka with a bit of little bit of sweetness to it.” – Andy Nabreski
“… a bit of briny, however in a great way.” – Zack Zeytoonjian
“Style’s like candy victory.” – Robbie Tartaglia
And simply in case you aren’t offered on the flavour, it’s value mentioning that the used oyster shells are composted, and the spent grains are despatched to an area farm to feed pigs and cows. Backside line is, if you happen to’re in search of a uniquely tasty, domestically and sustainably sourced spirit that makes use of and protects our coastal assets, this vodka is for you.
The subsequent time you toss again a number of contemporary oysters, carry the meal full circle and wash ’em down with a shot of Ostreida.
(When you have a fish-themed spirit you suppose we should always attempt, please ship an electronic mail to mhaeffner@onthewater.com)
