Larry Jones of Rocket Coffee Roasters is a new sponsor to HB, and as an introduction, I got a goodie bag today of two coffees roasted on Wednesday.
Nicaragua, Nueva Segovia; Santa Isabel COE: This coffee was in for a tough test, since Intelly had rolled out its Nicaraguan micro-lots last week, and since my brewing coffee on hand was the Bale Kara, against which I cupped it. The Santa Isabel passed the test with flying colors. If you want to know what a truly great, heavy bodied, apple, marzipan and butter Bourbon is all about, this is the coffee for you.
Classic Espresso: Larry advertises this as a Northern Italian roast (more Umbria than Alte Adigio), but it's not the classic northern taste profile of toast, citrus and flowers. It's described as chocolate and cherries, that's closer in tone, but not quite what I got. Instead I got a brilliant shot that's very hard describe. The flavor component seems Bourbon, perhaps even another lot from Santa Isabel, since toasted almond and almond blossoms are prominent. This is joined by a very alluring distillate, reminiscent of a liquor's nose (which frustratingly I can't place), and a super sweet medium dark caramel. Even a ristretto single came up tiger flecked and had plenty of body. I recommend this to all HBers, it's a well executed blend with a unique flavor profile.
