WHISKEY BARREL AGED SUMATRA #1006

Of all coffees, Sumatrans might be the most similar to whiskeys. Due to the traditional, wet-hulled processing method, Sumatrans are the spiciest, most savory coffees in the world. Their big, syrupy bodies, low-acid profiles, and earthy notes of leather, peat, herbs, and florals have delighted and entranced coffee lovers for centuries. It’s hard to imagine a classic coffee line-up without an Indonesian.

Similarly, it’s hard to imagine a classic cocktail menu without a Manhattan. In a world of overly sweet cocktails and trendy mixers, the rye, bitters, and vermouth of a Manhattan stand proudly on their own. Like a Sumatran, a Manhattan stands apart from its sugary colleagues with a deceptively simple, skillfully-crafted balance of flavor.

Sumatra Bener Meriah is a fair-trade/organic lot from the 500 members of the Sara Ate cooperative. The flavors are creamy, super-earthy, but with a soft woodsy chocolate around the edge. This Manhattan coffee pairing combines the grounded nature of the coffee with the lighter notes of a sweeter-toned whiskey. The barrels come from Woodinville Distillery, who age their barrels in the Cascades for two years in the open air, and then char the wood for a deep, nuanced oakiness. The coffee is roasted for us by Seattle Strong, a young, innovative coffee roaster founded in 2017 by students at the University of Washington.

Because of the size of the barrels, we can only make so much of these special-edition coffees. With less than 200 bags available, it’s bound to sell out fast! Reserve your bag of Whiskey Barrel Aged Sumatra, and forget shaking or stirring: the best Manhattans just require brewing.