You'll receive 50 Aunt Dottys and 50 Row 34s!
(50) Aunt Dottys
Farmer: Skip Bennett
Location: Saquish, MA (on the other side of Duxbury Bay)
Farming Technique: Despite being grown in the same body of water as the Island Creeks, these oysters are quite different. They are grown off of the bottom in various types of gear depending on where they are in their grow-out. The site itself is exposed at low tide for much longer than the ICO farm, which makes the Aunt Dotty's a bit sweeter than the Island Creeks because of the well-developed adductor muscle that holds the shells together when it's out of water.
Unique Factor: We have jokingly called these "Skip's Reserves". The Aunt Dotty's are grown right off the deck of the Bennett family's off-the-grid cottage. They're named Aunt Dotty Oysters after Skip's great aunt who lived in the cottage with her five children for most of the year.
Salinity: We'd give these a 6 out of 10 (a touch saltier than the Island Creeks).
Flavor Notes: Delicate, but complex flavor. Similar to the ICOs but sweeter and more buttery. Very easy to shuck.
(50) Row 34s
Farmer: Skip Bennett
Location: Duxbury, MA
Farming Technique: Despite being grown right next to the Island Creeks, these oysters are quite a bit different. A very special oyster with an interesting backstory that also inspired our Boston and Portsmouth restaurants.
Skip Bennett's first “pivot” from his original Island Creek Oysters. Skip has always grown the Island Creek seed (baby oysters) in off-bottom gear before bottom planting them at about 6 months old. Five years ago--in an attempt to show the 'hand of the grower' in the final product--Skip decided to leave the 34th row in the trays for the whole grow-out process. Hence the name Row 34’s.
Unique Factor: They are unique in that they grow right next to the Island Creek Oysters, yet never touch the bottom of the Bay, and actually taste different. A perfect example of Merroir and of the innovation happening in our industry. These oysters were so good we named a restaurant after them.
Salinity: We'd give these a 5 out of 10 (a touch saltier than the Island Creeks)
Flavor notes: The Row 34’s are a bit cleaner than the Island Creeks. Still briny, but less vegetal, earthy flavors because they are not bottom planted. Clean, crisp with mineral notes. A splash of saltwater.
