Murder Point oyster illustration
Beginner Friendly US Gulf Coast Researched

Murder Point

Crassostrea virginica

Family-farmed Gulf Coast oyster from Bayou La Batre, Alabama, known as 'butter love' for its signature rich, buttery flavor. Balanced mild salinity with a sweet-mineral finish and plump, creamy texture from careful tide-tumbled cultivation.

Brininess
Size Medium
Shell deep cupped

Flavor Profile

Brininess 3/5
Sweetness 4/5
Minerality 3/5
Creaminess 5/5

Primary Flavors

Secondary Notes

Finish

Metallic, sweet-mineral finish

Expert Notes

Murder Point oysters have earned their nickname 'butter love' through their remarkably rich, buttery flavor profile that sets them apart in the Gulf Coast oyster landscape. Hand-raised using longline basket farming techniques and tide-tumbled to perfection, these oysters achieve a perfect balance between creamy richness and mild salinity. The plump, juicy meat often rises above the shell, showcasing the quality craftsmanship of five generations of Gulf oyster farming expertise.

Origin & Characteristics

Species
Crassostrea virginica
Native to
USA
Grown in
Bayou La Batre, Alabama
Size
Medium (2-3 inches)
Shell Color
White and black
Meat Color
Cream to light gray

Perfect Pairings

Best Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring

What Experts Say

Across 9 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:

Unique notes: butter love, metallic finish, sweet-mineral, crisp

"One of the best oysters I have ever had, coming from a life long oyster lover descended from generational oyster lovers. They are beautiful, clean and with a fine sweet-mineral finish. Salinity is not pronounced, but it is there to taste unlike many gulf oysters."

sweetmineralcleanmild salinity

"The Murder Point oysters are a perfect balance of salty and buttery taste. They are plump and juicy. They are divine!"

saltybutteryplumpjuicy

"They are crisp, sweet and slightly salty. Amazingly wonderful oysters!"

crispsweetslightly salty

"These are hand-crafted beauties that will challenge your assumptions. These are often harvested around 18-22 ppt, and plump up above the shell. Amongst the best oysters I've ever had."

plump

"These oysters shocked the hell out of everyone when they hit the market as petite, buttery oysters in a land of wild, muddy beasts. Deep-cupped and plump, these silky oysters finish sweet and clean."

butterypetiteplumpsilkysweet

"Only seconds out of the water, it's soft and salty, rich and buttery. I bite down on the center, releasing a burst of briny flavor."

softsaltyrichbutterybriny

"The oysters were lukewarm, mildly salty, sublimely buttery, and as relaxed as an afternoon on the beach. An excellent experience."

mildly saltybuttery

"Each oyster will deliver a full, rich, creamy taste; a hint of butter flavor and a light metallic finish."

fullrichcreamybuttermetallic

"When you eat one of our oysters, you'll get a blast of salt and a rich, creamy, buttery aftertaste. It's all about the 'butter love.'"

saltyrichcreamybuttery

About the Farm

Murder Point Oyster Company (Sandy Bay Oyster Company)

Est. 2014

The Zirlott family has been in commercial fishing for five generations, with oystering roots dating back to 1892. Lane Zirlott and family transitioned from shrimping to oyster farming to diversify and sustain the family business, bringing deep stewardship and passion to their work.

Cultivation Method
suspended culture
Visit Farm Website →

History & Background

The name 'Murder Point' originates from a historical event in 1927, where a deadly dispute erupted between the Lawson and Copeland families over an oyster lease at what was then called Myrtle Point. A Copeland beat a Lawson with a baseball bat and shot him on his front porch, changing the name forever.

Murder Point Oyster Company is one of the fifteen producers of farmed oysters in Alabama and operates the only farm in Alabama with its own hatchery, making them vertically integrated from conception to plate. They've become known for introducing surprisingly refined, buttery oysters to a region traditionally known for wild, muddy oysters.

Did You Know?

  • The company's slogan is 'Oysters worth killing for'
  • The Zirlott family has an oyster license dating back to 1892
  • They are the only Alabama farm with their own hatchery, making them completely vertically integrated
  • They use an Australian longline system that tumbles oysters in the tide
  • The oysters are lifted out of the water once a week for 24 hours to dry and bask in the sun