Yirgy's can be a great bean, but it's important to understand that there are Yirgy's and Yirgy's. Whilst this is true of all beans, the one factor you need to consider with all Ethiopian coffees is the wider variation you will experience from lot to lot, farm to farm. Sumatrans are another where the differences are considerable. The majority of Yirg coming into AU is washed. There are small quantities of unwashed and securing these in quantity and consistency year round is beyond any descriptive word like "challenging". A quality Yirg roasted to suit the extraction method will provide a memorable experience, particularly to a person who has never tried Yirg previously. For some, it can be a "coffee-life-changing" moment they never recover from. I have many customers who will only buy Yirgy, such is their love of washed Yirg. Yirg will provide a long finish that typically outlasts many other beans. They won't necessarily provide a Mike Tyson punch in coffee and may be easily overpowered in blends by other beans, but one thing you can be assured of is the Yirgy will be the lingering character in a blend, even when used in small ratios. The finish is amazing. It's called the King of Coffees for a reason. Top cuppers have, in the past, awarded quality Yirgy's many accolades. These days, Yirgy can be overshadowed by more fashionable Kenyans, Panamas and Costa Rica coffees delivering more intensity in the cup. Yirgy has a well earned place in every roaster's catalog.
