Tipsy Wight

Whilst I normally use fresh produce as the highlight ingredient for the Isle of wight flavours blog, this time I’ve taken a slightly different route.

My partner first discovered Medham Farm when she was searching for some local honey to improve her hay fever symptoms. We soon realised that the owners of the farm; Ruth and Michael not only produced Medham Farm Honey, but were also the creators of Tipsy Wight, specialising in a range of flavoured vodka and vodka liqueur.

Medham Farm estate is made up of acres of fields, woodlands and hedgerows, so naturally there is an abundance of produce, ranging from wild herbs, berries and tree fruits. In 2010, Ruth and Michael decided to utilise this produce and started producing flavoured vodka.

I arranged a visit to Medham Farm to meet Ruth and Michael, and talk more about the produce and vodka. It was an extremely windy day, however after meeting me at the gate Ruth ushered me in to a warmer old stable which they had transformed into their preparation kitchen. I could already tell this was a seriously organised operation, with containers of finished products stacked high, sterilised bottles waiting for the vodka and a very special container of a limited edition flavour (which is to remain top secret!).

Our first discussion was the honey, given that is how we first heard of the farm. Ruth explained what had initially started as a hobby had turned into a small business. There are several hives in a field just a short walk from the house, which we did venture down to once the rain had eased. It was so fascinating to hear the detail of a bee’s life, and how they ultimately all work together to support the Queen. Ruth explained that the collector bees would often travel a mile or so for the right nectar, and so pollinate various flowers on the way. I found it intriguing that the pollen collected by the bees would have an impact on the taste of the final product – honey.

Ruth showed me through to a cellar where she had a new hive, which was waiting to ‘discover the Queen’. The gentle hum of the bees was somewhat comforting on a miserable day, although I’m glad the hive was sealed!

The honey is collected from the hive and cold extracted, where it is then sieved of any pollen dust, and then decanted into jars. It really is that simple. The vibrant amber colour is something you just don’t see in mass produced honey; it’s obvious the bees have a great life in their wildflower field.

They use this delicious product in two of their vodkas; spiced honey liqueur and honey & lemon.

And so we moved on to the vodkas. I was surprised at the huge variety of flavours available, but once Ruth started to go into the distilling process, it became clear that it was very similar to making flavoured gin.

All flavours are made with the raw products that are collected from around the farm, nothing else is added, it’s no wonder they have won so many awards! I was particiulary interested in the Wild Garlic, as at the time of visiting I was using wild garlic for a smoked chicken pizza.

Tipsy Wight has almost become a household name, sold in various supermarkets and independent shops, as well as being stocked in several bars around the Island and mainland, it certainly seems to be gathering pace to be the next trend. Gin, eat your heart out!

With the trend of flavoured vodka clearly here to stay, since launching the product range has grown massively, with the addition of flavour sets, paddle boards and shot glasses. They really are perfect gifts!

I was lucky enough to test a couple of flavours, which I was surprised were so different and packed with flavour. The medlar liqueur was my favourite, it had almost a rich date like flavour, one that is reminiscent of a sticky toffee pudding on a cold winter’s evening.