How Do Six Top National Specialty Coffee Brands Stack Up?

Richly chocolaty, floral-toned. Dark chocolate, gardenia, hazelnut, tangerine zest, mesquite in aroma and cup. Sweet, round, gentle acidity; plush, very syrupy mouthfeel. Crisply chocolaty finish with undertones of gardenia and tangerine zest.

Richly sweet-savory. Red currant, baking chocolate, pink grapefruit zest, freesia, hint of amber in aroma and cup. Sweet-toned, malic (apple-like) acidity; silky-smooth mouthfeel. Harmonious, integrated finish.

Bright, sweet, citrusy. Sweet lime, almond, marjoram, cocoa nib, fresh-cut oak, violet in aroma and cup. Sweet-toned, balanced acidity; crisp, satiny mouthfeel. Citrusy finish with undertones of almond and oak.

Bright, sweetly tart. Pomegranate, lemon verbena, cocoa nib, freesia, cedar in aroma and cup. Briskly sweet-tart acidity; plush, creamy mouthfeel. Gently drying cocoa-toned finish supported by notes of lemon verbena and cedar.

Delicately sweet-tart, gently floral. Lilac, red plum, raw almond, baking chocolate, grapefruit in aroma and cup. Briskly sweet acidity; lightly satiny mouthfeel. Crisply chocolaty, nut-toned finish.

Crisply sweet, delicately tart. Cocoa nib, orange zest, bay leaf, yellow plum, cedar in aroma and cup. Brisk, balanced acidity; lightly satiny mouthfeel. Gently drying, citrusy and cocoa-toned finish.

Cocoa-toned, sweet-tart. Cocoa powder, Brazil nut, lemon balm, fir, dried fig in aroma and cup. Sweet, slightly astringent acidity; crisp, silky mouthfeel. Harmonious finish consolidates to notes of cocoa powder and lemon balm.

Tart-leaning, citrusy. Meyer lemon, pie cherry, baking chocolate, cashew, sassafras in aroma and cup. Tart, citrusy acidity; crisp, velvety mouthfeel. Gently drying, citrus finish with undertones of sweet pine bark.

Sweetly smoky, citrusy. Gently scorched Meyer lemon zest, mesquite, dark chocolate, lily, hazelnut in aroma and cup. Low-toned, jagged acidity; tannic, lightly syrupy mouthfeel. Smoky-citrusy wood-framed finish.

Rich-toned, earthy-sweet. Fresh humus, cocoa powder, gently scorched sandalwood, gardenia, graphite in aroma and cup. Gentle, almost imperceptible acidity; dry vermouth-like mouthfeel. Earthy sweet finish with hints of cocoa powder underneath.

Roast-muted, wood-framed. Earthy, sweetly savory. Treacle, fresh-turned soil, scorched fir, lily, date in aroma and cup. Sharp, astringent acidity; bitter but viscous mouthfeel. Smoky, woody finish with undertones of lily.

Harsh, bitter. Charcoal, snap pea, soapy florals, carob, stale raising in aroma and cup. Harsh, bitter acidity; droopy mouthfeel. Woody, burnt finish.