Top-Rated Coffees (94+ points)

Evaluated as espresso. Resonant, layered berry (blueberry, raspberry), vanilla-toned flowers, papaya, a hint of cinnamon jostle in aroma and in the cup, where aromatics are suspended in a layered structure of complex bitter, sweet, tart and savory tastes. Ken (94) liked this velvety, viscous espresso a bit better than co-taster John DiRuocco (93). The complexity consolidates a bit in three parts milk, where flavor settles in with quiet certainty around a pronounced chocolate.

Evaluated as espresso. Ripe, berryish fruit hints at brandy in this lush yet tartly dry espresso that reveals its rounder chocolate side in the cup. Ken (93) decided to like its intensity and tart fruit sweetness. Co-cupper John DiRuocco went more decisively to the bright side at 94. Convincing in three parts milk: crisp chocolate with a juicy, fruit-toned finish.

Evaluated as espresso. In the aroma, lush, chocolaty fruit (maraschino cherry, ripe orange) transforms to a bright, floral citrus in the cup, slightly drying but sweet. Co-taster John DiRuocco (94) felt that the entire package came together nicely, with “nice high notes balanced by chocolate undertones, acidity by body.” Ken had less conviction in regard to coherence, but he too characterized the mouthfeel as full and plush, the cup impressive, and seconded John’s 94. Both particularly praised the coffee in three parts milk, where lemon, chocolate and cherry tendencies played nicely.

Evaluated as espresso. Ken (94) found this anaerobic natural Kona luxurious with deep floral notes and softly subtle chocolate and orange. Co-taster John DiRuocco (93) concurred but was bothered by what he regarded as a very slight overripe edge to the fruit. Both found the mouthfeel medium in weight but impressively plush in texture, and the shot in three parts milk delicately complex with flowers, fruit and chocolate working in layered coherence.

Evaluated as espresso. Chocolate, mango and sweet lime animate this satiny bodied espresso. Impressive stone-fruit sweetness is complicated by an engaging resiny edge co-taster John DiRuocco (94) and Ken (93) both associated with mango. Mango and chocolate crisply and sweetly persist in three parts milk.

Evaluated as espresso. Lots of flowers with an herby edge—lavender, jasmine, orange blossom, cilantro—cushion on milk chocolate in this bright, light-footed espresso. Both co-taster John DiRuocco and Ken read this high-toned but resonant espresso in about the same terms with parallel ratings of 94. Resolves to an orangy, floral caramel in three parts milk.

Evaluated as espresso. Co-taster John DiRuocco (95) was particularly impressed by the lavish sweetness and fruit of this elaborately anaerobic-processed coffee from Colombian processing innovator Edwin Noreña. John found the well-structured and clean-finishing character sufficient to contain and balance the aromatic fireworks. Ken (92), on the other hand, found the sweetness and fruit a bit too intense and candy-like, though he found compensating value in underlying musk and sandalwood tendencies. Both tasters admired the coffee in three parts milk, which rounded and diluted the intensely sweet fruit.

Evaluated as espresso. Co-taster John DiRuocco (94) liked this coffee (“brightly orange and juicy, sweet, jasmine and stone fruit”) a bit better than Ken did (93), who nevertheless concurred with John’s descriptors and added dark chocolate and molasses. Both found the mouthfeel plush and satiny. In three parts milk, the shot proved delicate yet substantial, with an animated, light-footed chocolate.

Evaluated as espresso. Co-taster John DiRuocco (94) found spicy fruit, orange water and vanilla-like flowers in aroma and cup; Ken (93) concurred and added sweet chocolate and almonds. Altogether a silky textured, lively espresso. The aromatic intricacy consolidates a bit in three parts milk, and the familiar chocolate and almondy nut move forward.

Evaluated as espresso. Ken intensely admired this classic washed profile for its round brightness, plum-toned fruit, rose-toned flowers, and chocolaty and cedary balance, rating it 95. For co-taster John DiRuocco, the profile was pleasing but one-dimensional, though he rewarded the smooth mouthfeel, citrusy brightness and clean balance with a 92. Ken found the floral chocolate and cedary base particularly impressive in three parts milk.

Elegantly fruit-forward, richly aromatic. Wild strawberry, cocoa nib, lemon verbena, amber, narcissus in aroma and cup. Balanced, juicy acidity; full, syrupy-smooth mouthfeel. Long, resonant, flavor-saturated finish.

Complex, richly sweet-tart. Pomegranate, pineapple kefir, cocoa nib, freesia, cedar in aroma and cup. Tart-leaning structure with bright, bright acidity; very full, satiny mouthfeel. Tangy finish with notes of cocoa nib and pineapple kefir.

Floral-toned, super-sweet. Wisteria, cocoa nib, rambutan, black sage, salted caramel in aroma and cup. Malic (apple-like) acidity; plush, viscous mouthfeel. Concentrated finish that carries through on the promise of the cup.

Fruit-driven, brightly sweet. Nectarine, black cherry, magnolia, pomelo, cedar in aroma and cup. Gently bright, sweetly tart acidity; crsip, dry-vermouth-like body. Resonant, harmonious, integrated finish.

Richly aromatic, multi-layered, deeply sweet. Fruit Loops cereal, pineapple kefir, cocoa nib, black sage, agave nectar in aroma and cup. Bright, balanced acidity; plush, very syrupy mouthfeel. Long finish centered around notes of Fruit Loops and cocoa nib.

Evaluated as espresso. Nuanced, multi-layered, high-toned. Bergamot, strawberry guava, cocoa nib, almond butter, freesia in aroma and small cup. Plush, syrupy mouthfeel; long, satiating finish. In three parts milk, notes of freesia and cocoa nib are amplified, with undertones of strawberry guava, almond and bergamot.

Sweetly spice-toned, delicately aromatic. Ginger blossom, clove, narcissus, cocoa nib, goji berry in aroma and cup. Gently bright, balanced acidity; vibrant, silky mouthfeel. Crisp, cocoa-toned finish supported by notes of ginger blossom and clove.

Elegantly berry-toned, dessert-like. Mulberry, candycap mushroom amber, apricot nectar, dark chocolate in aroma and cup. Brightly sweet-savory acidity; plush, syrupy-smooth mouthfeel. Harmonious, integrated, flavor-saturated finish.

Evaluated as espresso. Rich-toned, deeply sweet-savory. Black currant, pomegranate, hop flowers, dark chocolate, magnolia, cedar in aroma and small cup. Crisp, lightly satiny mouthfeel; intense, concentrated finish rife with notes of black currant, magnolia and dark chocolate. In cappuccino format, dark chocolate notes are amplified, as are magnolia and black currant.

Juicy, lithe, high-toned. Lychee, passionfruit, sandalwood, cocoa nib, marjoram in aroma and cup. Sparkling acidity; crisp, lushly satiny mouthfeel. Cocoa-toned tropical fruit in the finish.