Washed/Wet Reviews

Evaluated as espresso. Richly chocolaty, deeply sweet-savory. Black cherry, hop flowers, magnolia, date, hint of teriyaki in aroma and small cup. Creamy mouthfeel; floral finish with savory undertones. In cappuccino format, savory impulses are all but subsumed in sweet floral notes.

Gently aromatic, multi-layered. Candycap mushroom, rhododendron, lilac, cocoa nib, lychee in aroma and cup. Even-keeled, juicy acidity; very full, satiny-smooth mouthfeel. Umami finish akin to candycap mushroom with pleasing undertones of cocoa nib.

Evaluated as espresso. Richly savory-sweet. Candycap mushroom, roasted cashew, kiwi, amber, baking chocolate in aroma and small cup. Crisp, satiny mouthfeel; umami-driven finish with notes of candycap mushroom and amber. In cappuccino format, chocolate notes assume center stage, supported by kiwi and cashew.

Richly sweet, spice-toned. Cashew butter, pomelo, black sage, green apple, fine musk in aroma and cup. Briskly sweet acidity; velvety mouthfeel. Exceptionally harmonious, integrated finish.

Cocoa-toned, sweetly fermenty. Orange zest, cocoa nib, grappa barrel, pink peppercorn, lilac in aroma and cup. Zesty, pert acidity; very full, velvety-smooth mouthfeel. Sweetly fermenty, grappa-barrel finish.

Multi-layered, richly sweet. Black cherry, baking chocolate, magnolia, pink grapefruit zest, oak in aroma and cup. Sweetly tart with brisk acidity; syrupy-smooth, vibrant mouthfeel. Pink grapefruit and baking chocolate in the finish.

Evaluated as espresso. Crisply chocolaty, rich-toned. Baking chocolate, caramel, pomegranate, lily, cedar in aroma and small cup. Velvety-smooth mouthfeel. Caramelly, gently tart finish. In cappuccino format, nicely chocolaty with lily and cedar undertones.

Sweetly nut-toned. Pistachio, baking chocolate, orange zest, agave syrup, nutmeg in aroma and cup. Gentle, round acidity; lightly satiny mouthfeel. Nut-toned finish with hints of orange zest and baking chocolate.

Multi-layered, richly complex. Pomegranate, dried pineapple, cocoa nib, marjoram, wisteria in aroma and cup. Briskly sweet, fruity acidity; full, creamy-smooth mouthfeel. Long, resonant, flavor-laden finish.

Balanced, crisply sweet. Lemon verbena, almond, dark caramel, freesia, cedar in aroma and cup. Sweet-toned acidity; full, very satiny mouthfeel. Notes of freesia and almond lead in the sweet finish.

Deeply chocolaty, floral-toned. Dark chocolate, lilac, hazelnut butter, apricot, tangerine in aroma and cup. Balanced, bright acidity; plush, syrupy mouthfeel. The finish leads with notes of lilac and dark chocolate.

Evaluated as espresso. This was Ken’s favorite in the tasting; he had it at 96 with a 10 for aroma. Co-taster John DiRuocco was a bit less enthusiastic at 94. The difference may have been their reading of the striking floral herb notes. Ken experienced them as exhilarating sweet lavender while John read them as a pleasant but drier eucalyptus. But both overall admired this sweetly citrusy, walnut-toned, brightly chocolaty espresso whose character resonates through the finish and retains character impressively in three parts milk.

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.

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.

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.

Bright, balanced, richly sweet. Dark chocolate, narcissus, Meyer lemon, thyme, apricot in aroma and cup. Juicy-bright acidity; crisp, satiny mouthfeel. Dark chocolate is the throughline in the satisfying 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.

Brightly sweet, rich-toned. Red currant, agave syrup, lemon verbena, dark chocolate, cedar in aroma and cup. Juicy, lively acidity; crisp, lightly satiny mouthfeel. Sweetly herbaceous finish supported by notes of dark chocolate and cedar.

Evaluated as espresso. Rich, deep, sweetly nutty. Hazelnut butter, tamarind, jasmine, dark chocolate, cedar in aroma and small cup. Crisp, velvety-smooth mouthfeel; nutty, chocolaty finish. In cappuccino format, Nutella-like in its marriage of chocolate and hazelnut notes.

Evaluated as espresso. Richly aromatic, brightly sweet-tart. Dark chocolate, black cherry, tamarind, cedar, finger lime in aroma and small cup. Full, creamy mouthfeel; richly chocolaty, tart-leaning finish. In cappuccino format, dark chocolate and black cherry notes carry the profile, with support from finger lime and cedar.