Alaska Natural is a coffee from the high-elevation "Alaska" plot within Finca La Esperanza in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. This natural processed coffee is grown at one of the highest and coldest locations on the farm, where the cool temperatures and extreme altitude create a slower cherry maturation. The result is an expressive coffee with notable clarity and depth, featuring tasting notes of orange peel, Dr. Pepper, and black cherry. Managed by third-generation producer Rodin Ivan Villatoro, this lot represents the Villatoro family's continued innovation in coffee production.
Black Sheep Coffee Roasters was established in 2004 in Bishop, California, making it the first roasting company in the Owens Valley. Owner Peter Schultz sources through a direct trade model, having personally visited farms in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala to build relationships with growers. The roastery organises its range into three tiers: the Adventure Series, the Golden Bean Series, and the Trad Series, with a portion of profits from the Fat Trout coffee directed to watershed conservation through the Friends of the Inyo nonprofit. The retail café caters to Bishop's community of climbers, fisher folk, and outdoor enthusiasts, serving espresso drinks alongside breakfast and fresh baked pastries.
