Some coffees are meant to be sipped slowly. The kind you wrap both hands around while frost patterns creep across the window. The kind that fills the kitchen with warmth before you even take the first sip.
Our Winter Reserve Blend is that coffee.
This seasonal release brings together beans from three origins, roasted to highlight the deep, comforting flavors that belong to the coldest months. Think baking spices, dark chocolate, and a finish that lingers like a good conversation by the fire.
The Story Behind This Blend
Every winter, we return to the same question: what does this season taste like in a cup?
Spring calls for bright, floral coffees. Summer wants something crisp and refreshing over ice. Autumn brings earthy, nutty warmth. But winter—winter demands richness. Depth. The kind of flavor that feels like pulling on a heavy wool sweater.
This year's Winter Reserve started with a Colombian Huila as the foundation. Grown at high altitude in the Andes, these beans bring a syrupy body and subtle sweetness that anchors the entire blend. From there, we layered in a Sumatran Mandheling for its earthy, spiced complexity—notes of cinnamon and clove that emerge especially in darker roasts.
The final piece came from Guatemala's Antigua region. These beans contribute to the chocolate. Not the sharp cocoa of a lighter roast, but the deep, bittersweet richness of dark chocolate left to melt slowly on your tongue.
"We wanted a blend that felt like the holidays without tasting like a flavored coffee. No artificial anything—just carefully chosen beans that naturally evoke the season."
Tasting Notes
Here's what to expect when you brew the Winter Reserve:
| Note | Description |
|---|---|
| Aroma | Brown sugar, toasted cinnamon, hints of orange peel |
| Flavor | Dark chocolate, baking spices, molasses sweetness |
| Body | Full and syrupy |
| Acidity | Low and rounded |
| Finish | Long, with lingering spice and cocoa |
This isn't a coffee that shouts. It's one that settles in, revealing layers as it cools. The first sip hits with chocolate and sweetness. Halfway through the cup, the spice notes become more pronounced. By the final swallow, you're left with a warm, clean finish that invites another pour.
How to Brew It
Winter Reserve is versatile, but certain methods bring out its best qualities.
French Press
This is our favorite way to enjoy the blend. The full immersion brewing amplifies the syrupy body and lets the spice notes develop fully.
Recipe:
• 500g water at 200°F
• Brew time: 4 minutes
• Press slowly and pour immediately
Pour-Over
A slower pour-over with a medium grind produces a cleaner cup that highlights the chocolate notes while keeping the body intact.
Recipe:
• 320g water at 200°F
• Brew time: 3:00–3:30
Espresso
Pulled as espresso, Winter Reserve makes an exceptional base for winter lattes. The dark chocolate and spice stand up beautifully to steamed milk, creating something that tastes almost like a Mexican hot chocolate.
Recipe:
• 25–30 second extraction
• Pair with oat milk for extra sweetness
Pairing Suggestions
Coffee this rich deserves the right companions. Here's what we've been enjoying alongside our morning cups:
- Buttered toast with cinnamon sugar — Simple, nostalgic, perfect.
- Dark chocolate croissants — The chocolate in the pastry echoes the chocolate in the cup.
- Spiced banana bread — Warm from the oven, ideally.
- Sharp aged cheddar — An unexpected pairing that somehow works beautifully.
- Absolutely nothing — Sometimes the coffee is enough.
Limited Availability
Winter Reserve is a seasonal release, available only from December through February. We roast in small batches throughout the season, shipping beans within 48 hours of roasting to ensure peak freshness.
Once winter ends, this blend goes back into the vault until next year. We tweak the recipe annually based on what's available and what's exceptional, so each year's version is slightly unique—a snapshot of that particular harvest.
What's in the Bag
- Origin: Colombia, Sumatra, Guatemala
- Roast level: Medium-dark
- Process: Washed (Colombia, Guatemala), Wet-hulled (Sumatra)
- Altitude: 1,400–1,800 meters
- Bag sizes: 12oz and 2lb options
A Note on Freshness
Like all our coffees, Winter Reserve tastes best between 7 and 30 days after roasting. The roast date is printed on every bag.
For this particular blend, we've found the sweet spot hits around days 10–14. The spice notes need a bit of rest to fully integrate, and the chocolate deepens as the beans degas. If you can resist opening the bag immediately, your patience will be rewarded.
Store in a cool, dark place. Avoid the freezer—despite what you may have heard, the moisture does more harm than good for beans you'll use within a month.
The Ritual of Winter Coffee
There's something about cold weather that makes coffee feel essential rather than optional. It stops being just caffeine delivery and becomes a ritual. The grinding, the brewing, the steam rising from the cup—it all matters more when the world outside is gray and frozen.
Winter Reserve was made for those moments. For slow Saturday mornings when there's nowhere to be. For the quiet hour before the house wakes up. For the simple pleasure of something warm and good when warmth feels scarce.
We hope it becomes part of your winter rituals too.
Available now. Ships within 48 hours of roasting.