Project Sankalp – Lot #56 – Subko Coffee

Subko is a roaster based out of Mumbai, India. They currently only have microlot and nanolot coffees which score 85+—all grown on the Indian subcontinent. This coffee is from Project Sankalp, which is a farmer processor initiative launched by Waribok Daribok in Tamil Nadu, India with Subko as its preferred partner. It’s goal is to elevate the status and quality of Indian coffee. The project consists of some incredibly high-rated coffees with some incredibly unique processing methods. Each “lot” has a unique processing method and is scored independently. There are over 62 lots that are part of the project currently—each with a unique element (processing, varietal, etc.). This lot, #56, was one of my favorite of the six or seven I had a chance to try.

The coffee began with a strong fragrance that was sweet, tropical, and slightly boozy. The flavor is punchy with loud notes of rose, tropical fruit, and sweet tarts. As the coffee cooled, I got some fleeting banana notes, which is something I always chase in a coffee. The mouthfeel was quite smooth with some intense sweetness at the front, which gave way to more tartness at the end of each sip. The finish featured some lingering sweetness that reminded me of pineapple juice.

The Bottom Line

This Lot #56 (and really all of the Project Sankalp coffees I tried from Subko) was quite unique and complex. It definitely had the profile of an experimental coffee with its boisterous personality and wild flavor notes. It was a lot of fun to explore and it was an honor to be one of the first people in the United States to have an opportunity to try Subko Coffee.