I’m very lucky to be able to call some amazing people friends. And the Yorkshire Forager, Alysia Vasey is one.
Her story is a fascinating one, gaining her knowledge through her family, in particular her grandfather and his time in the forests of Poland in WWII. It’s one I’ve been lucky enough to hear directly from Alysia herself, but also read in her book – and one I would happily divulge… Except it would spoil some elements of the book, which would be a shame. Her grandfather’s story, and indeed her own is fascinating. Her grandfather’s of hiding from the Nazis and surviving. Her own, one of forging her own path, finding her own way, and all the way through, a resourcefulness that has her able to find food in the most unlikely of places.
It’s the latter that brings us here. She’s known by the best chefs and restaurants in the country for her ability to supply them with delicious and unusual ingredients, and all locally based. From mushrooms and puffballs, to flowers and berries. You’ll find the fruits of her labours in dishes at The French, Wood, and Northcote to name but three. James Martin has had her appear on his Saturday morning show as a regular guest.
Her latest venture sees her take these skills and put them to use with one of her (and my) favourite drinks. Gin.
It’s a collaboration with Poetic License Distillery up in the North East. I’ve long been fans of theirs, their classic and Old Tom gins are delightful, and their Strawberry and Cream gin is summer in a glass. So it makes sense that this creative small batch distillery would work with Alysia to create something a bit special.
Oops. Spoiler alert.
As you’d expect, Alysia is a little quiet about the ingredients. Given the flavours I’ve been able to pick out, I’m definitely saying coriander, and juniper. There’s something woody about it too – now this could be from the juniper berries, they are of course foraged by her too. But there’s something delightful and juicy about it, that I did manage to confirm is tangerine root.
Tangerine root is in fact the root of an iris, rather than the root of a tangerine tree, and gives the gin a delightful soft sweet juicy flavour. I must ask her next time how closely related to orris root it is – something often used as a ‘fixative’ in gin which can give it a creamy note.
I digress. To the important bit. The Yorkshire Forager Gin!
Neat, there’s citrus, coriander and copper pot sweetness on the nose. The palate holds lots more citrus flavour, juniper and a hint of something fruity. It’s tight, which means it needs a little opening up – either with tonic or in a cocktail. I must find a suitable vermouth to try this as a Martini, as I think it would be rather delightful.
In a G&T, the nose is all soft citrus and juniper, but the palate has that juicy tangerine citrus, a little earthiness and a good bite of juniper. The juiciness has you reaching for more, but the earthy juniper notes linger after, almost woody in flavour.
In short, I’m going to need several bottles, as I’ve already made a dent in this one. Oh and though I may be a little biased, I can also recommend The Yorkshire Forager book as well. Not only for it’s story of a fantastic person, who I adore, but because it’s worth it for her story, her grandfather’s story, and for the foraging guide at the end.
I say guide, again it’s more of a story. Alysia will always give you that little bit more.
I have just read the book and was pleased to see that Alysia has chosen Poetic to produce her gin .It would have been nice to say that its from Sunderland in the Northeast of the country not just the Northeast , Yes we were once the greatest shipbuilders in the world at one time and then forgotten about. unfortunately some folks DOWN SOUTH think we still wear flat hats etc , times move on and a lot of Southerners are now appearing on our shores . Thats because it is a wonderfulful place with a fantastic coastline , please come and see for your self , regards Alan
It’s a great book! And me too. She tells me there was lots of to-ing and fro-ing to get it right.