Blind Assessment:

Delicate, sweetly earth-toned. Pink grapefruit, frankincense, pipe tobacco, orchid, roasted cacao nib in aroma and cup. Juicy, richly tart acidity; silky-smooth mouthfeel. The finish is orchestral: pink grapefruit, pipe tobacco, cacao nib, with a hint of sweet orchid in the very long.

Notes:

This coffee was grown by indigenous Batak people, who have been involved in coffee production since the practice was brought to Sumatra by the Dutch in the late 19th century. Coffees from the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra are admired for their complex aromatic wood and fruit notes that appear to result largely from unorthodox fruit removal and drying practices called “wet hulling.” This is a particularly refined example of the type. Based in the San Diego area, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is a retailer and wholesaler focused on organic and socially responsible coffees; it was awarded the “2012 Micro-Roaster of the Year” title from Roast Magazine. Visit www.birdrockcoffee.com or call 858-551-1707 for more information.

The Bottom Line: A classic Sumatra, earth-inflected yet pure, rich with tobacco and incense notes balanced by delicate citrus, floral, and cocoa.