Long Road Distillers, Michigan’s award-winning grain-to-glass distillery, has officially unveiled its latest limited-release spirit: Asparagin—which it describes as “a bold, herbaceous, and unapologetically Michigan gin” crafted with fresh asparagus grown in West Michigan.
Distilled 100% on-site from Michigan-grown red winter wheat with a medley of wild and cultivated botanicals, Asparagin is a tribute to the state’s hardworking farmers and the fields they cultivate. The spirit is made in collaboration with the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board and proudly features both the Pure Michigan and Michigan Asparagus logos on its label.
“Asparagus is one of the most iconic spring crops in Michigan,” says 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 United States. 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 one-of-a-kind 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 savory, boundary-pushing gin that’s made for creative cocktails and curious drinkers.
And yes, before you ask, it’s real asparagus. Will you smell it later? Maybe. Will you forget the experience? Definitely not.
Asparagin 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. To find a bottle near you, check the Long Road Spirit finder in the coming weeks: www.longroaddistillers.com/spirits/spirit-finder/