A HUSBAND-and-wife team from Harcourt are putting a twist on a classic spirit with their range of infused vodkas.<\/p>\n
Nathan and Jessica Clarke-Hong turned their passion for farming into a distilling business after getting caught up in the craft brewing movement more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was around 2011,\u201d he said. \u201cCraft brewing piqued my interest and that’s where we got into home brewing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmall-scale farming was also quite important to us and I enjoy farming, so it just organically occurred. I’d like to say there was a lot more foresight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess one of the big things we wanted to see was if we could profit from small-scale farming or the farm-to-glass model. Making vodka seemed to appease that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair got started on their 20-acre property and before long found controlling the process themselves meant they could make a drop different to the mainstream brands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we went to distillation, we were finding you could have a healthier, cleaner sort of aspect to making it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy fermenting your own stuff, you have a bit more control. It was just a positive journey and it all sort of came together.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Clarke-Hong\u2019s grow all their own potatoes, rutabaga, sugar beets and botanicals on their property that they use in their vodka.<\/p>\n
Their business, Twisted Snake, is so-called for their \u201ctwisted brews\u201d said Mr Clarke-Hong, where they infuse their vodkas with several different flavours, generally in pairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s just modern-day alchemy regarding the infusion,\u201d he said. \u201cThe ideas come from everything from late-night brain bombs to even looking back at old recipes my grandmother used to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lemon lavender, for example, comes from a lemon lavender slice she used to make.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are several different variations with changes coming seasonally, and Mr Clarke-Hong said he has a couple of favourites.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two that probably stick out for me are the lemon lavender and the blueberry ginger, for its nice smooth ginger feel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother we are proud of which is very unique, and polarising is the balsamic mixed berry and the only way I can describe it is dried berries.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s out there. But it\u2019s a cool, easy autumn, and winter drinking drink.\u201d<\/p>\n