Review: Oak Barrel Aged Sumatra From Water Avenue Coffee


  • Water Avenue Coffee


    When you avoid ordering a coffee because you are afraid you will not like it, there is a 50/50 chance on you actually being right. It is nice when you are proven wrong. Water Avenue’s Oak Barrel Aged Sumatra definitely proved to me that there was more than meets the eye taste buds.

    I cannot tell you how long I’ve had this coffee in my bookmarks. Between the notes of the coffee, and the fact that it was a Member’s Pick on GoCoffeeGo told me that this was a coffee I needed to check out, but my brain refused to cooperate. Instead, I got to play the yes/no game with my brain until I finally won this week.

    Now, there is a good reason I avoid any coffee with the word aged in it. One of my beginning home roasts involved an aged coffee. Let’s say it was a very odd experience, and one that I wish to forget.

    Oak Barrel Aged Sumatra is said to be:

    like smoking a cigar in a 200-year-old leather chair

    I’m not sure:

    1. What smoking a cigar is like nor do I want to
    2. Sitting in a 200-year-old chair is like either. I’m sure any chair that is that old is probably in a museum where you are not allowed to go near.

    All I know is that if these two experiences summed up this coffee, well I am oddly intrigued enough to just have to try it.

    The coffee came within about 6 days of roast date which meant that I had to dive into it fast. Upon opening the bag I was greeted with a woody, but very stale like smell. I’m not saying the beans are stale, but first impressions so far were slim.

    I learned early on not to let the aroma of the beans cloud my judgment so I measured my dosage out and got to brewing.

    After the beans were ground the aromas of this coffee started to shine. I could smell woody hints, and a berry note starting to bloom.

    After brewing this coffee got even better.

    From the aroma, a very pleasing woodiness came up under my nose to greet me. Quickly after a berry note wanted its turn in the limelight. It wasn’t long before a slight earthiness and the smell of whiskey started to come out.

    Each sip started off intense with a surprisingly pleasing woodiness, and then branched out to deep berries, and yet again, whiskey. I kept thinking that no I am not tasting whiskey, but it was really there. I even had to remind myself that I was just drinking coffee. If you make the coffee a little on the strong side you might notice a little burn as it goes down.

    This coffee was odd at first, but in the weirdest way each sip seems to grow on me, quickly becoming a favorite.

    I’d give this a 4.5 out of 5 cups.

    This coffee runs $14 for a 12oz bag. I hope everyone gives this coffee a chance and tries it.



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    March 31st, 2011 | Jamie | No Comments | Tags: , , ,

About The Author

Jamie Ferguson

From sunny Sarasota Florida, Jamie Ferguson has been drinking coffee since a very young age. Jamie is just your average jane who has a serious addiction to coffee, but more so has a bigger love for the heart, and the dedication that is put into growing, processing and roasting coffee. Come and join the adventures...