Southern Gothic is Quills Coffee's love letter to immersion brewing—a dark, Louisville-roasted blend built for body, sweetness, and the kind of low-acid comfort that makes cold brew craveable. Anchored by Brazilian and Colombian beans, this is the coffee Quills serves in their own cafés, chosen for its ability to deliver rich chocolate and caramel without bitterness or astringency, even when steeped for 12 hours in cold water.
The name tips its hat to the literary tradition of Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner, but the cup is pure hospitality: warm, approachable, universally likable. It's the kind of coffee that doesn't demand expertise to enjoy—just time and cold water.
Tasting Notes
Expect a heavy body with pronounced dark chocolate and caramel sweetness. The low acidity makes it smooth and forgiving, with a finish that lingers like burnt sugar. There's no fruit, no brightness—just deep, syrupy richness. When diluted over ice, the sweetness opens up; when served straight, it's almost dessert-like in its intensity.
Brew Methods
This blend was designed for cold brew and it shows. Use a coarse grind (like French press or coarser) and steep for 12–18 hours at room temperature or in the fridge. A 1:5 coffee-to-water ratio yields a concentrate that you can cut with water, milk, or over ice. Southern Gothic also excels in French press when you want a hot, full-bodied cup without acidity. Pour-over works but mutes some of the body—immersion methods let this coffee shine.
About the Roaster
Quills Coffee has been roasting in Louisville, Kentucky since 2007, building a reputation for approachable, skillfully developed coffees that work in both café and home settings. Their Southern Gothic blend is proof that darker roasts don't have to sacrifice complexity for comfort.
Clive's team can help you dial in grind size, recommend cold brew makers, and pair this coffee with the right grinder for your setup—whether you're batching gallons or brewing by the glass.