We're back in our neighboring country of Ireland for a summer visit, excited to explore new coffee roasters while reconnecting with old friends. This time, we’re focusing exclusively on Dublin, home to all four of the roasters featured this month. This visit offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the capital city's thriving coffee scene and celebrate its rich culture and craftsmanship. ‘Fair play to you’ Ireland!

(Dublin, IRELAND)

Founded in 2013 by Frank Kavanagh and Peter Sztal, Cloud Picker is Dublin’s first micro coffee roastery. The name came from their trip to Northern Thailand where they visited a coffee farm in the Doi Chang area on the Thai / Burma border and went up through the clouds to see the coffee pickers! They’re not afraid to venture off into new coffee zones to find the best coffee on the planet to source unique beans and make sure their pickers are treated more than just fairly too.

This is our second collaboration with Cloud Picker, and this time we chose a beautiful washed coffee from Guatemala’s renowned (and tricky-to-pronounce) Huehuetenango region. It’s a light, fruity brew bursting with sweet plum flavours and subtle notes of cola. The combination of fruity sweetness and hints of nutty cocoa creates a truly unique tasting experience.

(Dublin, IRELAND)

Blind Monkey is a specialty coffee roastery founded by Wojciech Tysler, a serial competitor with titles including Finalist World Barista Championships 2021 & Irish Barista Champion 2023. The team sources high-quality coffees through direct relationships with producers. Focused on consistency and flavour rather than trends, they serve baristas, home brewers, and wholesale partners with the same attention to detail. The name reflects their philosophy: staying true to what matters in coffee.

Wojciech has a deep appreciation for Colombian coffees, and we had a delightful selection to choose from. However, we are particularly pleased with the one we selected. It has a clean profile, with just the right amount of sweetness, vibrant notes of lemongrass, smooth mango, and a cocoa finish. There are also hints of orange blossom, making it a classic and incredibly sophisticated choice.

Since their first Cup of Excellence appearance in 2018, the Ospina family has earned eight winning lots. Linarco has led most of these successes, consistently producing clean, sweet, and vibrant coffees. At Finca Betania, you'll find traditional varieties upwards of 40 years old, a nod to the generations of Rodriguez Ospina family that have lived there before. When combined with innovative techniques and hybrid varieties, Lino crystallises both the traditions and potential of Colombian specialty coffee.

Bourbon Chiroso, a rare variety, is prized for its lively and refined cup. Discovered around the same time as Pink Bourbon, it shares a similar status among specialty producers. Often considered a native Geisha-type, Chiroso offers delicate floral notes like jasmine, with bright mandarin and a balanced, complex sweetness that makes it truly memorable.

(Dublin, IRELAND)

From its humble beginnings in a Ballsbridge kiosk, Silverskin Coffee has grown into an award-winning brand celebrated for quality and innovation. After earning titles like Best Coffee in Dublin, it expanded into roasting and wholesaling with a state-of-the-art roastery. Today, Silverskin sources specialty beans globally, embracing sustainability, advanced techniques, and farmer collaborations to deliver exceptional, fresh coffee that helps redefine the craft.

Silverskin founder Brian sent us 3 Rwandan coffees to try and they were all exceptional, which made our choice a very difficult one. In the end we selected Gasharu because it has a sublime and sophisticated taste, incredible umami notes slightly tropical feel and delicate florals. Also it’s a coffee Brian feels very passionate about, trading directly with the producers and has visited them personally.

With a legacy dating back to 1976, Gasharu Coffee is renowned for its dedication to quality and innovation. Since 2020, Silverskin has been sharing values, quality, and dedication with them.

It all began during the challenges of the pandemic, when they first connected with Valentin, the owner of Gasharu. Through countless conversations and tastings, they discovered a mutual passion for producing and showcasing the finest coffee Rwanda has to offer. In 2024, at the World of Coffee event in Copenhagen, their collaboration reached a milestone as they finalised a direct trade partnership, bringing Gasharu Coffee’s exceptional beans to Ireland. This marked their first container shipment to Irish shores and Silverskin’s first container of specialty coffee from Rwanda.

(Dublin, IRELAND)

Founded in 2014, Full Circle began roasting on a vintage 5kg Probat L5 before expanding to a custom micro roastery in 2018 on Grantham Place, a converted horse stable in Dublin. The team now roasts over one ton of specialty coffee weekly while owners David and Louise also run 3 coffee shops, including 2 locations of Ebb & Flow in Dublin and Milligram Coffee in Sligo.

They’re another discovery roaster this month and the coffee we've selected is a 200-hour naturally fermented Colombian produced by the renowned producer Wilder Lazo from their special range. Its profile is rich and complex, with floral notes harmoniously mingling with hints of dark chocolate, blackberry, orange, and ripe plums. The lively acidity is balanced by a smooth, velvety mouthfeel.
A unique and quirky coffee, offering an intriguing journey for the palate!

Wilder Lazo's family consists of passionate coffee producers in San Adolfo, in the Huila region. Over the years, they have faced many challenges in achieving their dreams. After a devastating fire, they left the farm, but due to their father's determination, they returned to rebuild not just their crops but the entire farm. They have transformed it into a platform for specialty coffee, offering exceptional and exquisite flavours and aromas.

Their dedication and passion have enabled them to provide a livelihood and education for their children's future. Wilder Lazo's story is a reminder of the importance of perseverance and hard work. Now, Wilder Lazo is an award-winning coffee grower, known for producing the highest quality beans in Colombia.