The Whisky Thief 2024

The Whisky Thief 2024

 

Christmas time means one thing at Artisan Roast: the return of one of our most popular traditions, The Whisky Thief. Every festive season, we craft a unique coffee that embodies the indulgence and magic of the holidays. This year is no exception, as we once again collaborate with the innovative team at Fable Whisky to bring you something truly special.

 

his year’s release combines the rich flavours of specialty coffee from La Virgen in Huila, Colombia with the subtle elegance of a Highland whisky from the Teaninich Distillery. Over the course of a month, the green, unroasted coffee rests in American Oak whisky casks, slowly absorbing the residual aromas and flavours left behind. This careful process transforms the coffee, imparting it with boozy Christmas cake notes, citrus peel, and a honeyed liqueur-like sweetness.

Teaninich Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest legal distilleries dating back to 1817, is renowned for its light, floral whiskies. The cask used for this collaboration held a 13-year-old Highland whisky aged in American Oak, bringing elegant notes of honeyed florals, dried fruits, and fresh grass to the coffee. The result is a perfect balance of flavours, achieved through the deft process of osmosis, with the coffee reaching equilibrium before roasting to create a truly unique profile.

 

Rich Christmas cake leads the way in the flavour profile, accompanied by rum-soaked raisins, cacao nib, and citrus peel. A dense, syrupy mouthfeel ties it all together, and the experience finishes with a sweet, honeyed note that lingers long after the last sip. This coffee is indulgent, moreish, and unmistakably festive.

 

We’ve kept the roast at a medium level to ensure the flavours shine no matter how you brew it. As an espresso, it delivers a bold and layered experience, perfect for sipping on its own or crafting into an indulgent espresso martini. Brewed as a French press or filter, it highlights the complexity of the coffee, while as a cold brew, it enhances the boozy, syrupy sweetness.

 

Cask 6 continues our partnership with Fable Whisky, a small-batch whisky company that pairs rare single cask whiskies with art and storytelling. This collaboration embodies everything we love about the festive season: tradition, innovation, and a touch of magic.

 

The Whisky Thief 2024 is not just a coffee; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and flavour. Whether you enjoy it yourself or share it as a thoughtful gift, this coffee is the perfect way to end the year on a high note.