This limited microlot is washed Red Bourbon from the Kaʻū district on Hawaiʻi Island, roasted medium-light.
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Dark chocolate, candied violet, salted caramel, sandalwood, jasmine
- Origin
- Kaʻū, Hawaii
- Process
- Washed
- Roast
- Medium-light
- Roaster
- Big Island Coffee Roasters
Roast level
About this coffee
What the roaster tells us.
This limited microlot is washed Red Bourbon from the Kaʻū district on Hawaiʻi Island, roasted medium-light. Big Island lists dark chocolate, candied violet, salted caramel, sandalwood and jasmine. Coffee Review scored it 95 points in April 2025, and it comes in 10 oz bags.
Product details checked 2026-10-29. Roaster descriptions can change between lots. Tasting notes describe sensory impressions, not a guarantee of how your brew will taste.
Where it’s from
Kaʻū, Hawaii
RoasterBig Island Coffee Roasters
OriginKaʻū, Hawaii
ProcessWashed
RoastMedium-light
From farm to cup
Where it grew, how it was made, how it’s roasted.
Straight from the roaster’s listing — no guesswork added.
Step 01 · OriginGrown
Kaʻū, Hawaii
Step 02 · ProcessProcessed
Washed
Step 03 · RoastRoasted
Medium-light
Before you buy
Is it right for you?
You’ll like it if…
- You like chocolatey, comforting cups.
- You like delicate, floral or tea-like flavors.
- You like sweet, nutty or caramel flavors.
- You brew pour-over or drip and like a lighter body.
Maybe skip it if…
- You want a dark, roasty, classic cup.
- You're looking for a bright, fruit-forward coffee.
The details
- Variety
- Red Bourbon
- Bag size
- 10 oz bag
- Price
- $45.00
- Price per ounce
- $4.50 per oz
From the roaster’s listing, checked October 29, 2026. Prices change.
About coffee from Kona, Hawaii
Kona coffee is grown on the slopes of the Hualālai and Mauna Loa volcanoes on Hawaii's Big Island. It's one of the few coffees grown in the US and is known for a smooth, mellow cup. Check labels carefully: under Hawaii law a "Kona blend" only needs 10% Kona coffee.
What the process means
In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries. Washed coffees tend to taste clean and bright, and show off the character of the origin.
How to brew it
Starting recipes for this roast level. Adjust grind and ratio to taste; the roaster’s own guidance always wins.
| Method | Coffee | Water | Grind | Water temp | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over Our pick | 15 g | 250 g | Medium-fine | 96°C / 205°F | 2:30–3:30 |
| French press | 30 g | 500 g | Coarse | 96°C / 205°F | 4 minutes |
| Cold brew | 100 g | 800 g | Coarse | Cold water | 12–18 hours in the fridge |
The people behind this coffee
Meet Big Island Coffee Roasters
Big Island Coffee Roasters was founded by Kelleigh Stewart and Brandon von Damitz, who bought a Puna coffee farm in 2010 and launched the roasting business in 2013. That same year their Puna Pink Bourbon won Grand Champion at the Hawaii Coffee Association Statewide Cupping Competition, and they opened the first coffee mill in East Hawaii. The company stopped farming in 2019 to focus on buying, processing and roasting coffee from more than 15 Hawaii farms in Kona, Kaʻū, Puna, Hamakua and other islands, and opened its Hilo roastery and café in 2023. It was a 2022 Roast Magazine Roaster of the Year finalist and placed two coffees on Coffee Review's Top 50 Coffees of 2025: Kaʻū Morning Glory (No. 6, 97 points) and Moaʻula Ohana Blend (No. 30, 96 points). For home brewers it is one of the few places to buy carefully processed, high-scoring Hawaiian microlots alongside approachable blends.
All Big Island Coffee Roasters coffees
Espresso starting point
Dial it in
A 1:2 dose-to-yield ratio is a common place to start. Adjust grind and taste — the roaster’s own guidance always wins.
In18g
Out36g
Time25–30s
Compare
Similar coffees from other roasters
| Coffee | Roast | Origin | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon This coffee | Medium-light | Kaʻū, Hawaii | Dark chocolate, candied violet, salted caramel, sandalwood, jasmine |
| Stumptown Guatemala El Injerto Bourbon | Medium-light | Guatemala, Huehuetenango | Milk chocolate, orange, caramel |
| Hula Daddy Kona Coffee Laura’s Secret Coffee | — | Kona, Hawaii | Floral, cocoa, bright citrus |
| Fratello Coffee Roasters Guatemala Finca Santa Leonarda | Light | Santa Rosa, Guatemala | Molasses, cocoa, balanced |
Questions
Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon FAQ
What does Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon taste like?
Big Island Coffee Roasters lists tasting notes of dark chocolate, candied violet, salted caramel, sandalwood and jasmine. It's a medium-light roast.
Where does Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon come from?
It comes from Kaʻū, Hawaii.
How is Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon processed?
The roaster lists the process as washed. In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries.
Is Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon good for espresso?
It can be pulled as espresso, but it's roasted light for filter brewing, so expect bright, tart shots. It shines most as pour-over or drip.
What's the best way to brew Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon?
A good starting point is pour-over: 15 g of coffee to 250 g of water, medium-fine grind, water at 96°C / 205°F, about 2:30–3:30. Adjust to taste.
Where can I buy Big Island Coffee Roasters Kaʻū Red Bourbon?
You can buy it from Big Island Coffee Roasters. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before you order.
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Shop at Big Island Coffee Roasters