Bean2Bean x Ilegal Mezcal Limited Edition Coffee
Bean2Bean Coffee x Ilegal Mezcal limited edition mezcal barrel-aged coffee beans.
Bean2Bean Coffee Partners with Ilegal Mezcal Reposado
Like a fine wine or an aged spirit, coffee can transport us to a time and place with a single sip. In the same way that the aging process of a wine or spirit produces various flavor profiles, so do the growing and roasting conditions of coffee. So, what happens when these different yet wildly similar processes come together?
Bean2Bean coffee brings people together to enjoy high-quality beans, roasted to perfection, one bean at a time. The Bean2Bean team recently found a distinctive partner in Ilegal Mezcal, who is all about the long game when it comes to aging their spirits in oak barrels. It is through these barrels the brand partnership ignites.
The brewery and distillery collaboration produces aged coffee beans in Ilegal Mezcal Reposado barrels, creating a truly unique product that cannot be found anywhere else on the market.
Barrel-Aged Innovation & Collaboration
Though coffee in its traditional form has been around for centuries, coffee producers are looking to innovate by exploring new ways to use their products. At Bean2Bean, part of that innovation means partnering with family-owned companies worldwide that support a lifestyle brand centered on sustainable and community-based principles.
These shared values led to a partnership between Bean2Bean and Ilegal Mezcal, an agave distillery producing beautifully balanced mezcal with notes of smoke and a mouthful of agave. Handcrafted in small batches and made with sustainable Espadin agave, Ilegal Mezcal's Reposado perfectly matches Bean2Bean Coffee--from brand values to bold flavors.
“I think a lot of us discovered during the pandemic just how magical the combination of mezcal and black coffee is, and the idea certainly percolated from there. The marrying of these wonderful liquids brings out each of their unique flavor profiles. They compliment each other beautifully,” says Michael Barton, the Market Manager of Control States East for Ilegal Mezcal. “Collaborating with Bean2Bean was a no-brainer for us, not just because their roasts are well crafted and delicious; they also share Ilegal’s core values and emphasis on community, sustainability, quality, and inclusion.”
Additionally, the coffee in this barrel-aged collaboration comes from a farm in Antigua, Guatemala--right next to the home of Ilegal Mezcal's owner.
"Collaborating with Bean2Bean was a no-brainer for us, and not just because their roasts are amazing; they also share Ilegal's values and emphasis on community, sustainability, and inclusion," said Barton.
What Exactly Is Barrel-Aging?
The barrel-aging process begins by submerging a neutral spirit like vodka or whiskey into a new oak barrel. Organic oak compounds in these barrels break down and infuse flavors and aromas into spirits. After about six months of aging, it is common to see large producers begin to rotate their barrels as smaller volumes are bottled so as not to over-age a single batch.
Similarly, aging coffee in the mezcal barrels imparts bold, nuanced flavors, which is evident in the Bean2Bean x Ilegal Mezcal partnership. The flavor of beans aged in the mezcal casks are more complex, intertwining the chocolate and honey notes found in the Guatemala Antigua beans with the caramelized pear and bitter orange aromas of the Ilegal Mezcal Reposado. Subtle hints of vanilla, clove, and butterscotch dance across the palate, making this coffee truly one-of-a-kind, ideal for coffee lovers and agave enthusiasts alike.
"Aging our Guatemala Antigua coffee in the Ilegal Mezcal Reposado Barrel added an exciting level of complexity to the cup. The Mezcal enhanced the chocolaty notes we love out of this Guatemalan coffee," said Obel Hernandez Jr., VP of Strategic Partnerships at Bean2Bean. "We are thrilled to have collaborated with a brand who puts the same time & care into their products as we do.”
The Final Sip
Ilegal Mezcal and Bean2Bean are excited and proud to announce their new partnership, and are eager to release their first limited edition creation together.
Cheers!