Rocky of Dead City Coffee Interview for International Coffee Day

Cigar World's Interview with Rocky of Dead City Coffee

I had the lucky fortune to meet Rocky at the Twin Cities Tattoo Festival this year, and upon speaking with him found out that in the coffee he creates, there are notes of tobacco, so I figured there was no better person for us to interview and highlight on International Coffee Day than Rocky from Dead City Coffee.

Jean: Crazy how we connected! I love when I meet people in random places with connections to what I do. So tell me about how you got started in the coffee industry and a bit about Dead City Coffee.

Rocky: It's crazy how things connect! I got into coffee after taking a break from alcohol. My sense of taste heightened, and I started noticing all these incredibly diverse flavors in every cup. That sparked a deep interest in coffee, and before I knew it, Dead City Coffee was born. It's all about bold, intense brews that don’t compromise on taste.

Jean: And you are based in Wisconsin, right?

Rocky: That’s right, born and raised!

Jean: What is behind the name, Dead City Coffee?

Rocky: The name Dead City Coffee came from those mornings when I’d wake up feeling like I was in Dead City—completely lifeless until I had my coffee. Now, it’s all about waking up the dead with every cup.

Jean: I have heard of many different tasting notes in coffee, but not really tobacco, so what brought about that idea for your blend?

Rocky: Tobacco notes in coffee aren’t as common, but they can be quite intriguing, especially in certain origins. For example, Indonesian Java coffee often has earthy, spicy, and sometimes even tobacco-like characteristics due to the unique processing methods and soil in the region. I wanted to highlight those natural flavors in my blend to offer something bold and distinct, capturing that rich, deep profile that sets it apart from the usual tasting notes people expect. Thus, ‘Throne’ was born.

Jean: The artwork on your packaging is amazing. Did you create this?

Rocky: Thanks! I actually stumbled onto an amazing Malaysian artist on Instagram who primarily works with metal bands—exactly the vibe I was going for. Most coffee brands feel pretty boring to me, and I wanted something that really stands out. Coffee is the first thing so many people think about when they wake up, so why not have some personality in their brew? This artwork brings that energy to life.

Jean: So I know that you are traveling with the Tattoo Festival team promoting your products. How many locations are you selling your product in currently? Online?

Rocky: We’re a small operation, so we’re all about quality over quantity. Right now, we’re focusing on bringing the best coffee to every festival we attend. We spend every week on the road, making sure the crowds we travel to get our full attention. That’s why we no longer put our product on store shelves—it’s available exclusively on our website or at the events we’re part of.

Jean: What are your big plans for this brand? Ideally, what would you like to see happen with Dead City Coffee?

Rocky: We didn’t anticipate the growth we’ve had over the last six months, and it’s been an incredible ride. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan on attending even more festivals, releasing some unique flavors, and collaborating with tattoo artists to bring our brand’s vibe to life in new ways. We’ve got a few other exciting projects in the works as well—stay tuned!

Jean: So we are giving away a bag of your coffee. What would you suggest to our audience as a good pairing with this blend? 

Rocky: For Throne, which has notes of tobacco, cedar, and lemongrass, I'd suggest pairing it with a simple smoked salmon bagel or a breakfast sandwich with some sharp cheddar. But honestly, this coffee stands on its own—perfect for busy bodies like us who don’t always have time to sit down and eat.

Jean: What is your favorite blend of coffee to drink? And how do you like your coffee?

Rocky: We’re not snobs at Dead City, so I live by the adage: ‘Drink what you like to drink, how you like to drink it.’. I like my coffee hot and black—nice and simple. My favorite blend is always changing since I’m on the road so much and get to experience so many local coffee companies. But my fallback is definitely Throne, when I’m able to sit and enjoy a cup of my own.

Jean: Well, it was fantastic to touch base with you today, and thank you for taking the time to share your brand story with us. Plus offer up a bag of your coffee for our audience as a prize! 

Rocky: It was great connecting with you today! I appreciate the opportunity to share the story behind Dead City Coffee. I’m excited to offer up a bag of our coffee as a prize—hope your audience enjoys it as much as we do! Thanks for having me.

If you want to purchase any of the Dead City Coffee blends, you can do so at www.DeadCityCoffee.com 

And don’t forget to check out our social contest where you could win one of the Dead City Coffee blends to try out at home!