An old familiar returns in the shape of this unusual coffee, from an unusual origin. One of the longest standing coffees, I really enjoy it and think it has its place in the specialty world.

After a while out of the range, another old favourite returns, with this, one of the first coffees we ever stocked. Australia is a fairly new region to growing coffee and it has many unique problems when compared with traditional growing origins. Skybury is grown in Atherton Tablelands above Cairns in Far North Queensland. The farm, which produces around 150 tonnes a year, is run by just 8 people! So you can guess, the process is quite mechanised, but this is to keep labour costs down which are much higher in Australia than in most coffee growing areas. Because of rain issues the farm is fed from its own private reservoirs and irrigation, meaning they are in control of when the harvest should begin. But it also allows them to choose the right time to make sure they produce the best cup possible in the circumstances they have.

Don’t be put off by the way the beans look. There are some broken ones, and others of different screen sizes, but we judge coffee purely on the taste, and this is a very good, consistent coffee.

Is this the best cup of coffee in the world? Not for my tastes, but I know that lots of you adore this coffee. Is it the very best example of an Australian coffee farm I have ever come across? Yes, yes, yes, they do a great job, and any one who is snooty about Australian coffee should try this before they make up their minds. This is a farm that is improving and getting better each year, and I am lucky enough to have seen this progression over a number of years. I’m proud to offer it to you here.

Just as in previous years, it is very smooth in the cup, balanced with rich flavour and a full body. It has great buttery tones, with a tight controlled acidity that reminded me of sweet clementine oranges, but very controlled. An interesting coffee.

Buy it here