Velvet Cask - Oak Barrel Aged

Velvet Cask is a barrel-aged coffee created to explore a softer and more elegant side of oak maturation. Unlike intensely spirit-forward barrel-aged coffees, this release is not designed around a strong alcoholic character. Instead, the focus is on vanilla sweetness, chocolate-nut richness, subtle red wood, and gentle wine-like depth. Produced at Kalyancool Estate in Chikmagalur, this coffee begins with carefully selected ripe Chandragiri cherries grown at an elevation of 1,300 MASL. The cherries are processed using a Honey Process before being slowly dried, helping retain their natural sweetness and providing a clean foundation for the subsequent barrel maturation. Once the green coffee reaches the desired moisture level and has stabilized, the beans are transferred into seasoned oak barrels for controlled maturation. The porous green beans gradually interact with the aromatic compounds held within the oak, allowing the barrel to contribute additional layers of sweetness, wood, and aromatic complexity. The maturation is carefully controlled to avoid creating an aggressively alcoholic or spirit-dominated cup. Instead, the aim is to develop an integrated profile where the character of the coffee and the influence of the oak complement each other. After the desired maturation is achieved, the beans are removed from the barrels and allowed to rest before roasting. The coffee is then roasted Light Plus, preserving the delicate aromatics developed during maturation while maintaining clarity in the cup. The cup opens with pronounced vanilla sweetness, followed by a rich Cadbury Nutties-like character, combining creamy chocolate and roasted-nut impressions. As the coffee opens and cools, subtle red wood notes add depth and structure, while delicate red wine characteristics emerge towards the finish. Unlike our more whiskey-forward barrel-aged coffees, Velvet Cask is not intended to taste like a glass of whiskey. Here, oak is used as a maturation tool rather than the dominant flavour, creating a smoother, sweeter and more layered barrel-aged coffee.