So, 2021 was a bit of year right? Sort of like 2020 but with way more bone crushing disappointment that the world is on fire, with way less of the lockdown novelty.

It’s been a bit of a blur. So here’s a bit of a reminder:

It was the year of the vaccine.

It was the year of riots in Washington DC.

It was the year the Black Caps won the World Test Championship.

Daft Punk broke up

New Zealand had another lockdown - and Auckland copped it hard

Back to Zoom meetings and non-stop Fresh Pots thanks to the Moccamaster

But enough of that. What are my top coffees of the year?

I thought you’d never ask.

Selfish.

Top three coffees of the year

Taste is so subjective, this is a bit of a pointless exercise. What I love, you might hate. Some people like Six60. They are wrong. I love a anaerobically fermented coffee. I’m not wrong. See how that works?

Number free - Kintamani, Indonesia - Flight Coffee

Picture thanks to the Coffee Collective.

Roaster: Flight Coffee
Region: Bali, Batu Karang, Indonesia
Varietal: S-795; Kartika
The Magic Roast rating: Sell a kidney to buy more

This coffee was the first one I smashed out on my new Origami filter (check out The Drumming Barista for hawt tips on the Origami). This was also the first Indonesian coffee that I truly loved.

It was easy to get right, yummy on tummy, and worth selling a kidney to buy more.

Number too - Rafael Amaya - Colombia - Viking Coffee

Cold, hawt, ice, whatever - this coffee is mad.

Roaster: Viking Coffee
Region: Huila, Colombia
Varietal: Pink Bourbon
The Magic Roast rating: Sell the other kidney to buy more

Holy smokes this coffee is great. Get some while you can.

It uses a great technique that really brings out a funky funk to the funkiness of the beans. So yum I smashed through this whole bag in like a week.

The other kidney is gone for this one.

Number Wang - Finca Castellon, Colombia - Mojo Coffee

Roaster: Mojo Coffee
Region: Quindio, Colombia
Varietal: Gesha
The Magic Roast rating: Ima sell your kidney to get more

This coffee was a stand out, and one I often think about.

Yes - it was so good, I THINK ABOUT IT EVEN NOW. Like a lost love, a balloon that has flown away in the wind, or the winning lotto ticket. I THINK ABOUT THIS COFFEE OFTEN.

I don’t have a problem, you do.

Roasted to absolute perfection by the amazing Logan Collinge at Mojo (check out his Instagram and his blog, Positively Coffee), this coffee had everything from happiness, to fun AND excitement.

Looking back on my notes (yes, I took notes, shut up), I described this coffee as “yummy”, “Mad apricot”, and “Hi there, you sexy little [thing]. You’re yummy [AF]”.

This was so good, I would sell your kidney to get some more.

You better watch out.

There it is. 2021. Ups, downs, lefts, rights. Highs. Lows. Runs. Walks. Coffees.

Happy end of 2021 and all that

Thanks for the support and to everyone who bothers to read this thing. It’s a bit of a passion project, part to keep track of whatever I’m doing, and part to help others try some amazing coffee (and go for a run I guess).

The Magic Roast

Drink coffee and celebrate - 2021 is doneskis