Estate 98 is making a bold move in the coffee spirits category with the launch of Licor de Café Especial, a single-origin espresso-strength coffee liqueur designed to elevate cocktail creation for both professional bartenders and discerning home enthusiasts. This isn’t your typical coffee liqueur; it represents a deliberate effort to simplify and standardize the infusion of authentic espresso flavor into a wide range of drinks.
A Single-Origin Approach
At the heart of Licor de Café Especial is a commitment to quality and traceability. The liqueur derives its distinctive character from single-origin coffees grown at El Noventa y Ocho farm in El Salvador. These coffees are shade-grown and processed using the honey method before being patio-dried, a technique that imparts a rich, complex profile. The final product is crafted by blending ‘Esencia de Café’ concentrate with neutral cane spirit, complemented by sugar and a touch of vanilla. The resulting ABV stands at 25% (50 proof).
Streamlining Cocktail Creation
Estate 98’s target market is clear: bars and home bartenders seeking a consistent and reliable way to deliver an espresso-like flavor. Traditional espresso extraction can be finicky, requiring specialized equipment and trained staff. Licor de Café Especial eliminates this complexity, offering a concentrated, pre-extracted coffee experience. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to incorporate espresso nuances into drinks without the investment or technical challenges.
Growth Trend & Transparency
The launch of Licor de Café Especial aligns perfectly with a growing trend in the spirits industry – the demand for coffee spirits that highlight terroir, traceability, and cocktail utility. Estate 98’s emphasis on this transparency, from the farm’s cultivation practices to the final bottling in Miami, is a key differentiator. Consumers are increasingly interested in understanding the origin and journey of their spirits, and Estate 98 is answering this call.
What This Means for Consumers
This new liqueur expands the possibilities for coffee cocktails. Bartenders and home enthusiasts can now explore flavor combinations previously limited by the constraints of traditional espresso machines. Expect to see innovative drinks featuring this liqueur, utilizing its intense flavor profile.
Pros and Cons
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Pros:
Consistent flavor, eliminates the need for espresso equipment, convenient, single-origin transparency.
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Cons:
Price ($49.99), may not satisfy purists seeking the full complexity of freshly pulled espresso.
Availability
Licor de Café Especial will initially be available through Estate 98’s direct-to-consumer channel and will begin a phased retail rollout starting in Miami. Further availability will be announced in the coming months.
