Long Road creates ‘wild and weird’ asparagus gin
US-based grain-to-glass distillery Long Road has crafted its latest limited edition release with fresh asparagus grown in Michigan.
The gin, named Asparagin, has been distilled on-site at the distillery in Grand Rapids, Michigan from locally-grown red winter wheat alongside a medley of wild and cultivated botanicals, and asparagus grown on a family farm in Mears.
The release is described as a tribute to the state’s hardworking farmers and the fields they cultivate, and has been made in collaboration with the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board. It features both the Pure Michigan and Michigan Asparagus logos on its label.
“Asparagus is one of the most iconic spring crops in Michigan,” said Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “We’re proud of the fact that Michigan is the leading producer of asparagus in the country, growing nearly half of all asparagus sold in the US.
“We’ve always looked for ways to highlight local agriculture in unexpected ways. Asparagin is one of our boldest and most uniquely Michigan spirits to date – a little wild, a little weird, and surprisingly delicious.”
Asparagin features a unique blend of botanicals including dill, tarragon, chive, capers, lemon peel, hand-harvested juniper from Beaver Island, and fresh asparagus grown in Mears, Michigan.
The result is a 41% ABV gin with savoury notes that has been made for cocktails and ‘curious drinkers’.
The gin will be available in limited quantities at all Long Road tasting rooms and at select retailers and bars throughout Michigan beginning the first week of June.
Like the rest of Long Road Distillers’ portfolio, Asparagin is being distributed statewide by Imperial Beverage Company.
Long Road is not the first spirits producer to turn to asparagus in its distilling. In 2022, Portobello Road Distillery created the ‘world’s first’ asparagus vodka.
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