The Story Behind Walcha Coffee’s Thunderbolt Blend
Every town has its legends, and Walcha’s might just be the cheekiest of them all. Captain Thunderbolt — the bushranger who once roamed these hills — has become part of our folklore. Some remember him as a criminal, others as a bit of a folk hero, but around here he’s more like the cheeky outlaw who embarrassed the authorities and kept slipping through their fingers.
He and a mate were the only two people ever to escape Cockatoo Island in Sydney, not long after he was wrangling stolen horses on properties just outside of Walcha on the way to Niangala. That mix of daring and dark mischief is why we named our darker, stronger blend after him: Thunderbolt.
What’s in the Thunderbolt Blend?
Thunderbolt is our nod to a traditional espresso blend, but with more elegance than your average dark supermarket coffee.
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Colombian: the backbone of the blend — a high-grade coffee full of clarity, sweetness, and a mineral vibrancy that sings on its own.
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Brazil: brings in those smooth chocolate and caramel flavours that people love.
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Robusta: just enough to give it a kick and a caffeine boost, adding body without turning it brutal.
The result is a coffee with a thick, viscous body that really cuts through milk, while still keeping its balance and vibrancy. Strong? Yes. Overbearing? No. Thunderbolt’s strength comes with elegance, not brutality.
A Blend with Character
Much like the bushranger himself, this coffee has a little dark edge — but it’s also refined. For people who love a solid espresso or a flat white that doesn’t get lost in the milk, Thunderbolt hits the mark. It’s bold enough to stand up, but classy enough to keep you coming back for another cup.
Why We Roast in Walcha
Walcha Coffee started simply because I fell in love with coffee. For decades, it’s been a journey — learning, experimenting, pushing the limits of what a cup could be. Coffee’s one of those things you can study your whole life and still barely scratch the surface. That mystery still excites me every day.
Roasting began as a passion project at home. I wanted to make the best coffee I could — buying great machines, sourcing better beans — until the next step was roasting them myself. Friends started asking for it, then I began selling at the local craft shop, then supermarkets and farmers markets. From there, it’s grown into what Walcha Coffee is today. But at its heart, it’s still about that same thing: a deep passion for this mesmerising elixir we call coffee.
Brewing Tips
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Espresso machine: Perfect for a bold flat white or cappuccino.
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Stovetop (Moka pot): Brings out those chocolate and caramel notes.
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Plunger/French press: A thick, rich cup that stays smooth.
Feeling a bit cheeky? Try it as an affogato — a scoop of vanilla ice cream drowned in a shot of Thunderbolt. Captain Thunderbolt himself would’ve approved.
Ready to Taste the Legend?
You can grab the Thunderbolt Blend online here or at one of our local stockists.
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Bold coffee. Cheeky history. That’s Thunderbolt.