Location: Kingston, MA

Size: 2.5" - 3"

How They’re Grown: Rockies are planted directly on the bay floor after spending a few months in bags [sound familiar? Exactly what we do around the corner at Island Creek]. They are 100% hand harvested by two guys who aren't available to do much harvesting. What does this mean? It means that their oysters are given more time to develop, coming to you untouched and plump.

How they taste: You'll probably find that these oysters remind you of Duxbury Bay; however, their taste is strikingly different from the Island Creeks due to their proximity to the brackish mouth of the Jones River. Mildly salty and oh-so-sweet, these oysters have a finish as smooth as glass. They are highly complex with earthy hints of mushroom. As Skip says, "there's a lot going on in that bite."

Why they're unique: One of the few oysters that are not tended to regularly or over harvested. They are diamonds in the rough.

Story:  Skip proudly calls Kingston grower Greg Barker "a kid I went to nursery school with" [the two still play hockey together]. He was more than willing to vouch for them while they were applying for aquaculture leases in the town of Kingston. Their first crop was planted in late fall 2009 from the same batch of seed Skip uses. The guys are hand harvesting, when their work and wills allow, so catch them while you can.