“I’m in heaven
– “Genius of Love,” by Tom Tom Club
With the maven of funk mutation
Clinton’s musicians such as Bootsy Collins
Raise expectations to a new intention”
Black and White Coffee Roasters in Wake Forest, NC has taken the specialty coffee world by storm since opening. It’s no wonder why. The brain child of two enormously influential and respected barista champions, Lemuel Butler and Kyle Ramage, business was set up for success out of the gate; but in surrounding themselves with other like-minded and very smart coffee professionals, Black and White instantly became a “must-try” roastery.
I’ve followed them closely on Instagram and have tried to purchase their newest releases a few times, but they’ve been sold out of what they were advertising by the time I check their site just about every time. However, I was extremely fortunate to be able to buy this coffee – their Colombia Marili Castaño Pink Bourbon – within 15 minutes of their posting the announcement of its arrival. It sold out within a couple days.
This selection hails from Producer Marili Castaño, of Acevedo, Colombia. Pink Bourbon – aka, Bourbon Rosado – was propagated mostly in Huila, and it seems to love the dramatic growing conditions the region is famous for. This beautiful variety was believed to be a Bourbon type because of its cherry shape. The term “Rosado” (Pink) comes from the color at which the cherries ripen. In reality the color is light reddish orange but the cherries do look very different from Orange Bourbon.
The latest work in genetic study shows that Pink Bourbon actually has heritage in Ethiopia, as one of the thousands of varieties that exist there, some natural and some cultivated. This seems to explain Pink Bourbon coffees pronounced floridity, and crisp clean citric like acidity, like an Ethiopian Coffee.*
THEBASICS
region: Acevedo, Colombia
farm: Finca La Esmeralda
producer: Marili Castaño
association: NA
elevation: 1750 meters above sea level
cultivars: Pink Bourbon
process: Anaerobic Washed
TASTINGNOTES
The aroma of the Colombia Marili Castaño Pink Bourbon is explosive, and it bursts out of the bag with a bouquet of florals and bright citrus and tropical fruits.
The flavor follows the nose, and the coffee is as bright and flavorful as I expected it to be. It’s light-bodied with a silky mouthfeel, and – boy oh boy – does it pop on the palate. This coffee leads with floral (rose hips and lilac) and black tea aromatics that tickle the tongue before exploding into a melange of vibrant citrus and tropical fruit flavors. The tartness of pink lemonade and grapefruit, the sweetness of refined sugar and maraschino cherry, and red grape acidity that finishes clean, but with a long, lingering aftertaste.
FINALTHOUGHTS
This was my first experience with Black and White Coffee Roasters and their Colombia Marili Castaño Pink Bourbon did not disappoint. I knew the coffee would be great, simply based on the company’s pedigree. But it still blew me away.
I’m disappointed to say that this coffee sold out almost immediately – I wish I posted my review in time for my readers to try it. But I still strongly urge you all to check out other offerings from this fantastic roasting operation.
*content courtesy of Black and White Coffee Roasters
What were your thoughts of this one? Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome! Contact me, or enter a comment below.
Andrew is a husband, father, dog lover, craft beverage enthusiast, content creator, and niche market Internet celebrity. Formerly of A Table in the Corner of the Cafe and The Pulitzer Project and contributor to Barista Magazine and Mental Floss, he’s been writing on the Internet for years.