If you are looking for a unique and flavorful coffee experience, you might want to read this Cooper’s Cask Coffee review. This is a specialty coffee company that sources high-quality single origin beans from around the world and ages them in used whiskey, rum and wine barrels. The result is a coffee that has been infused with the rich and complex flavors of the spirits, creating a brew that is unlike any other.
In this article, I will review Cooper’s Cask Coffee and explore what makes their barrel-aged coffees so special. I will also look at their regular coffee offerings and their decaf coffee options. Let’s dive in!
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In this blog post we will look at the following:
What is Barrel Aged Coffee?
With so many coffee companies and brands, it is not easy to stand out in the crowd. Cooper’s however, found a way. Barrel-aged coffee is a type of coffee that has been stored in wooden barrels that previously held alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, rum or wine. The idea behind this process is to transfer some of the flavors and aromas of the spirits to the coffee beans, creating a unique and enhanced taste profile.
The process of barrel-aging coffee is not new. In fact, it dates back to the 16th century, when coffee was transported in wooden barrels across the oceans. During the long journey, the coffee beans absorbed some of the flavors of the barrels, which were often reused for different purposes.
However, it was not until recently that barrel-aging coffee became a deliberate and artisanal practice, with roasters experimenting with different types of barrels and beans to create distinctive blends.
How is Barrel-Aged Coffee Made?
The process of barrel-aging coffee involves several steps:
- First, the green (unroasted) coffee beans are sourced from different regions and countries, such as Ethiopia, Colombia, Rwanda or Sumatra. The beans are selected based on their quality, origin and flavor profile.
- Next, the beans are placed in freshly emptied barrels that once held whiskey, rum or wine. The barrels are stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment for several weeks or months, depending on the desired level of infusion.
- During this time, the beans are regularly rotated and monitored to ensure even exposure and prevent mold growth. The beans absorb some of the flavors and aromas of the spirits through the porous wood of the barrels.
- Finally, the beans are roasted to bring out their full potential. The roasting process also burns off any residual alcohol or solvent from the barrels, leaving only the flavor compounds behind.
What are the Benefits of Barrel-Aged Coffee?
Barrel-aged coffee offers several benefits for coffee lovers who want to try something different and exciting.
Some of these benefits are:
- It adds a new dimension of flavor to your coffee. Barrel-aged coffee can have notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, spice, smoke or fruit, depending on the type of barrel and spirit used. These flavors complement and enhance the natural flavors of the coffee beans, creating a balanced and complex cup.
- It offers a variety of choices and combinations. Barrel-aged coffee can be made with different types of barrels and spirits, such as bourbon, rye whiskey, single malt whiskey, rum or wine. Each combination produces a different flavor profile and intensity. You can also choose from different types of beans and roasts to suit your preferences.
- It provides a smooth and low-acid brew. Barrel-aged coffee tends to have a lower acidity than regular coffee, due to the aging process and the roasting level. This makes it easier on your stomach and more enjoyable to drink. I would recommend a good coffee brewer for this specialty coffee. Like the Amaste. See the Amaste Drip Coffee Maker Review here
- It gives you a unique and memorable experience. Barrel-aged coffee is not something you can find in every grocery store or café. It is a specialty product that requires skill and craftsmanship to produce. Drinking barrel-aged coffee is like tasting a piece of history and culture in your cup.
What are Some Examples of Barrel-Aged Coffee?
Cooper’s Cask Coffee offers several varieties of barrel-aged coffees that you can try at home or give as a coffee gift to someone special. Here are some examples:
- Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee: This is made with Colombian single origin beans that are aged in Kentucky bourbon whiskey barrels. The result is a smooth and rich coffee with notes of vanilla, caramel, oak and bourbon.
- Rum Barrel Aged Coffee: This is made with Rwandan single origin beans that are aged in Caribbean rum barrels. The result is a sweet and fruity coffee with notes of brown sugar, molasses, rum and raisin.
- Single Malt Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee: This is made with Sumatran single origin beans that are aged in Scotch single malt whiskey barrels. The result is a bold and smoky coffee with notes of peat, malt, oak and whiskey.
- Wine Barrel Aged Coffee: This is made with Ethiopian single origin beans that are aged in California wine barrels. The result is a floral and bright coffee with notes of berry, grape, oak and wine.
What are the Regular Coffee Offerings from Cooper’s Cask Coffee?
If you are not into barrel-aged coffee, or if you want to try something different, Cooper’s Cask Coffee also offers regular specialty coffee options that are not aged in barrels. These are also single origin beans that are roasted to perfection and deliver a great taste and aroma.
Some of these options are:
- Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee (See the image): This is a medium roast coffee that has a bright and acidic flavor with notes of chocolate, blackcurrant and honey. It is made with peaberry beans from Tanzania, which are rare and round beans that have a higher density and sweetness than regular beans. More on coffee from Africa here.
- Ethiopian Bright Light Roast: This is a light roast coffee that has a floral and fruity flavor with notes of blueberry, lemon and honey. It is made with natural dry processed beans from Ethiopia, which are known for their high quality and complexity.
- Kenya AA Medium Dark Roast: This is a medium dark roast coffee that has a full-bodied and rich flavor with notes of blackberry, citrus and chocolate. It is made with AA grade beans from Kenya, which are considered the best in the world for their size, shape and flavor.
- Organic Dark Roast Sumatra: This is a dark roast coffee that has a smooth and earthy flavor with notes of cedar, spice and tobacco. It is made with organic beans from Sumatra, which are grown in volcanic soil and processed using the wet-hulled method.
What are the Decaf Coffee Options from Cooper’s Cask Coffee?
If you want to enjoy the flavor of coffee without the caffeine, Cooper’s Cask Coffee also offers decaf coffee options that are made with the Swiss Water Process. This is a natural and chemical-free method of decaffeination that preserves the flavor and aroma of the beans. Some of these options are:
- Decaf Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee: This is the same as the regular bourbon whiskey barrel aged coffee, but without the caffeine.
It is made with Colombian single origin beans that are decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process and then aged in Kentucky bourbon whiskey barrels. - Decaf Rum Barrel Aged Coffee: This is the same as the regular rum barrel aged coffee, but without the caffeine.
It is made with Rwandan single origin beans that are decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process and then aged in Caribbean rum barrels. - Decaf Single Malt Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee: This is the same as the regular single malt whiskey barrel aged coffee, but without the caffeine.
It is made with Sumatran single origin beans that are decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process and then aged in Scotch single malt whiskey barrels.
New to decaf? You can learn some tricks on How to Brew Decaf Coffee in this post I made earlier.
How to Brew Cooper’s Cask Coffee?
You can brew Cooper’s Cask Coffee using any method you prefer, such as drip, French press, pour-over or espresso. However, here are some general tips to get the best results:
- Use fresh and filtered water that is not too hard or too soft.
- Use the right amount of coffee grounds and water for your preferred strength and brew size. A good ratio is 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water.
- Use the right grind size for your brewing method. Generally, finer grinds work better for espresso or drip machines, while coarser grinds work better for French press or pour-over methods.
- Use the right water temperature for your brewing method. Generally, hotter water extracts more flavor and caffeine from the beans, while cooler water extracts less. For most methods, you want to use water that is between 195°F (91°C) and 205°F (96°C). You can actually buy temperature-controlled water boilers, especially for coffee.
- Use the right brewing time for your method. Generally, longer brewing times extract more flavor and caffeine from the beans, while shorter brewing times extract less. For most methods, you want to brew your coffee for 3 to 5 minutes.
Are you looking for something stronger? Read my Death Wish Coffee review, and find out how strong is Death Wish Coffee.
Pros and Cons of Cooper’s Cask Coffee
Here are some of the pros and cons of Cooper’s Cask Coffee that you might want to consider before buying their products:
Pros
- They offer a unique and flavorful experience of barrel aged coffees that are infused with the rich and complex flavors of whiskey, rum or wine.
- They source high-quality single origin beans from different regions and countries that have their own distinct characteristics and nuances.
- They roast their beans fresh to order in small batches to ensure freshness and quality.
- They use natural and chemical-free methods of decaffeination, such as the Swiss Water Process, for their decaf coffee options.
- They have a variety of choices and combinations for their barrel aged coffees, regular coffees and decaf coffees, as well as different roasts and grinds to suit your preferences.
- They offer free returns or exchanges if you are not satisfied with their products.
Cons
- Their barrel aged coffees may not be for everyone, as some people may not like the taste or aroma of the spirits in their coffee.
- Their barrel aged coffees may be more expensive than regular coffees, due to the cost and time involved in the aging process.
- Their barrel aged coffees may have a lower acidity than regular coffees, which may affect the extraction and flavor of some brewing methods.
- Their barrel-aged coffees may have a lower caffeine content than regular coffees, due to the aging process and the roasting level.
What Others Say About Cooper’s Cask Coffee
To give you a better idea of what other customers think about Cooper’s Cask Coffee, we have gathered some ratings and other Cooper’s Cask Coffee Reviews from different sources online.
Here is a summary of what I found:
Cooper’s as found on Amazon- On Amazon, Cooper’s Cask Coffee has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 1,920 ratings for 11 products. Most customers are happy with the taste, aroma, freshness and quality of their products. Some customers complain about the price, packaging or delivery issues.
- On ReviewMeta.com, Cooper’s Cask Coffee has an average adjusted rating of 4.45 out of 5 stars based on 863 reviews for 11 products. Most reviews are verified purchases and natural reviews. Some reviews are potentially unnatural or deleted reviews.
- On BestQualityCoffee.com, Cooper’s Cask Coffee has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 6 reviews for 4 products. Most reviewers are impressed by the flavor, complexity and smoothness of their barrel-aged coffees. Some reviewers suggest using different brewing methods or ratios to get the best results.
- On CoopersCoffeeCo.com, Cooper’s Cask Coffee has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 6,248 reviews for 29 products. Most reviewers love their barrel aged coffees, regular coffees and decaf coffees. Some reviewers mention the fast shipping, excellent customer service and generous samples.
Score Based on Other Reviews Online
Based on the ratings and reviews we have collected from different sources online, I can give Cooper’s Cask Coffee a score of 9 out of 10. This score reflects their high-quality products, unique flavor profiles, fresh roasting and customer satisfaction.
However, this score also takes into account their higher price point, lower acidity and caffeine content, and possible delivery issues.
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Conclusion – Cooper’s Cask Coffee Review
I hope you have learned in this Cooper’s Cask Coffee review, that this is a specialty coffee company that offers a unique and flavorful experience of barrel-aged coffees. Their coffees are made with high-quality single origin beans that are aged in used whiskey, rum or wine barrels, creating a brew that has been infused with the rich and complex flavors of the spirits.
They also offer regular coffee options that are not aged in barrels, as well as decaf coffee options that are made with the Swiss Water Process.
If you want to try something different and exciting in your cup, you might want to give Cooper’s Cask Coffee a try. You can order their coffees online or find them in select stores across the country. You can also follow them on social media or sign up for their newsletter to get updates on their latest products and promotions.
Happy brewing!