Shetland

Shetland Islands · North Atlantic, Scotland

Crassostrea gigas

The most extreme oyster on the British Isles — Shetland sits closer to Norway than mainland Scotland. Sub-Arctic North Atlantic water, slow growth, and fierce tidal exposure produce an oyster of near-unprecedented mineral intensity and salinity. Not for the uninitiated.

Raw shellfish is a major allergen and carries inherent health risks. Editorial reference only.

Salinity5/5
Sweetness1/5
Minerality5/5
Umami2/5
Texturefirm
Finishmineral
Grand Cru ChablisVintage Blanc de Blancs ChampagneShetland Whisky
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The reference version.

The most extreme oyster on the British Isles — Shetland sits closer to Norway than mainland Scotland. Sub-Arctic North Atlantic water, slow growth, and fierce tidal exposure produce an oyster of near-unprecedented mineral intensity and salinity. Not for the uninitiated.

What you'll tasteas it arrives
Brine
5
Sweet
1
Mineral
5
Umami
2
Acid

Everything below is measured against this plate.

Cultivationrack-and-bag · 4–5 yearsWaterNorth AtlanticAppearancemedium · elongated
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