Raaka Bourbon Cask Aged 82%

Morogoro is a large state in central Tanzania, known for its hot & humid weather and its large game preserves. The main source of cocoa in the region comes from the Kilombero Valley, the base of a central fermentary called Kokoa Kamili, which was founded in 2012. Since its introduction ot the country in the late 19th century, cocoa in Tanzania has been almost exclusively grown by smallholder farmers, and before the entrance of Kokoa Kamili, these farmers had very little incentive to produce better cocoa.

Started in 2012 by friends Brian LoBue and Simran Bindra, Kokoa Kamili is one of the few African-origin cocoas which have been universally praised around the world. The team, which is based in Tanzania’s Kilombero Valley, has achieved a remarkably consistent post-harvest process, setting a standard in the region by buying wet beans at a premium and fermenting & drying them in a central location. This garners them an exceptionally fruity and rich cocoa, grown right in the nation’s Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Kokoa Kamili now works with nearly 3000 farmers in the region, all of whom get paid a premium immediately for their wet cacao, lessening their workload while also increasing their income.

The native wild-grown cacao of Bolivia, Beniano is perhaps better known as nacional de Bolivia or even cacao silvestre. That’s because this strain grows wild along the upper part of the Río Bení in northern Bolivia; locals collect pods via canoe, as they ripen. The further south you go, the more indigenous genetic material the fruits tend to contain. Beniano have relatively small pods, meaning less yield per fruit, and a sweet, nutty, and fruity flavor. The overall rich and balanced character of the beans means that even slight changes in fermentation or roasting can cause a huge difference in the final taste of a product, resulting in an overall crowd-pleasing cacao.