In collaboration with The Whiskey Blendery, this is a Costa Rica Anaerobic Aged in an 11.5-Year Sweet Bourbon Barrel.
Rich, refined, and intentionally restrained—Barrel Kissed preserves the vibrant soul of Jaguar Honey while layering in the warmth and depth of a beautifully aged bourbon barrel.
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Toffee, Cinnamon, Kiss of Sweet Bourbon
Roast: MediumProcess: Anaerobic | Barrel Aged
Region: Tarrazú, Costa RicaProducer: Beneficio San Diego Mill
Variety: Caturra, Catuai
Barrel: 11.5-Year Sweet Bourbon Barrel (36% Rye Mashbill)Barrel Curator: The Whiskey Blendery
Aging Process: Virtuous Coffee
At the heart of this release is the same exceptional Costa Rica Jaguar Honey anaerobic lot that has become a standout in our Jaguar Honey Series. Sourced from the famed Tarrazú region and processed by the innovative Beneficio San Diego Mill, this high-scoring coffee already possesses remarkable complexity, fruit character, and spice-driven depth before ever touching a barrel.
Rather than overpowering the coffee with bourbon influence, Barrel Kissed was crafted with a different philosophy—to enhance rather than dominate. The coffee was slowly aged inside a rare low-yield 11.5-year sweet bourbon barrel from MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a whiskey known for its rich sweetness, high rye content, and deeply developed character. Notes of vanilla, caramel, toffee, cinnamon, and mature oak from the cask gently integrate into the coffee’s existing profile, creating a layered and seamless experience.
The anaerobic process plays a critical role in the final cup. By fermenting the coffee in oxygen-free environments, the producers at San Diego develop complex lactic and malic acids that intensify sweetness, fruit expression, and aromatic complexity. Those vibrant underlying characteristics provide the perfect foundation for barrel aging, allowing the whiskey influence to complement the coffee rather than overshadow it.
In the cup, the familiar vibrancy of Jaguar Honey remains alive beneath the barrel influence. Notes of honey, caramel, and cinnamon rise first, followed by soft layers of bourbon richness, warm oak, and subtle spice that unfold gradually as the cup cools. The result is smooth, expressive, and beautifully balanced—a coffee that feels elevated without losing the identity of the original lot.
For those wanting to fully explore the transformation, we’re offering the opportunity to experience Barrel-Kissed alongside the original Costa Rica Jaguar Honey Anaerobic release — an invitation to taste how thoughtful barrel aging can shape and evolve an already extraordinary coffee.
Add the Companion Bag for a side-by-side tasting experience, plus $5 savings and free shipping when paired together.
Don't miss this masterpiece.. Featuring the wild soul of Jaguar Honey—gently elevated by an 11.5-year sweet bourbon barrel with notes of caramel, cinnamon, oak, and warmth.