Coffee, Bourbon & Cigars: A Night with Mike Safai
A fortunate coincidence brought Master Coffee Roaster, Supertaster, and bourbon maker Mike Safai to OWA for an exclusive private evening of rare pours and hand-rolled cigars. Here's how the night unfolded.
Mike Safai & His Cigar
A rare and exciting opportunity came to OWA, thanks to a fortunate coincidence — Mike Safai happened to be in Orlando for a coffee convention. Yes, you read that correctly. In addition to producing exceptional bourbon and rye, Mike is also a Master Coffee Roaster and Supertaster, making him a true master of his crafts.
Mike Safai, owner of Safai Bourbon & Rye, graciously hosted an exclusive private event for our OWA members last week. This special evening would not have been possible without the support of Shiah and his team at Blend & Barrel in Sanford. We are grateful for their hospitality and look forward to building a lasting partnership with many more events in the future.
The Lineup & Cigar Pairing
At the event, OWA members had the chance to listen to Mike while enjoying the following lineup of combined offerings from Safai and Blend & Barrel:
- Espresso Boulevardier (welcome cocktail)
- Custom hand-rolled cigar, crafted by Shiah at Blend & Barrel
- 10-Year Safai Bourbon Single Barrel #8, 124 Proof (2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition winner, rated 99/100)
- 9-Year Safai Rye Single Barrel #2, 110 Proof
The room settled into an easy hum as glens were filled and cigars were lit. Shiah's hand-rolled cigars drew slow and smooth and everyone tuned in to listen to Mike’s stories.
A Special "Thank You"
A sincere thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event such a success. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Speakeasy Burger, who provided outstanding food and exceptional service throughout the evening.
We hope our attending members enjoyed the experience and will help share the Safai story with their friends. That is how Mike's reputation has spread throughout the whiskey world, and we'd like to think we can help him share the Safai good word a little further.
Nights like this are exactly what the OWA community is about: rare pours, great company, and stories worth sharing. If you missed this one, don't worry, more unique experiences are already in the works. Keep an eye on our social media and join us for the next one.
