Organization: Left Bank Cafe, Slayton, Minnesota
Coffee: Custom Espresso
Reviewed: September 2005
Overall Rating: 88 points
Roast (Agtron): Dark (39/41)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Not Disclosed

Notes: Left Bank Cafe is a restaurant, cafe and in-store roaster that offers its large selection of single-origin and blended coffees on a friendly Internet site that promises "We'll tweak your beans." Visit www.leftbankcafe.biz or call 507-836-6008 for more information.

Blind Assessment: Delicate floral and vanilla-toned aroma, clean and precious. In the small cup medium-bodied, with a sweet, softly fruity character that suggests banana, perhaps, or papaya. Long, sweetly resonant finish with a slight astringent bite. Co-taster Ted Lingle (88) felt this soft, delicate blend faded a bit in milk; Ken (88) found it limited perhaps in nuance but sweet and substantial in presence. Nominating reader Martin Freeman exclaims that this "best espresso blend ever ... rich, creamy ... deep, fragrant ..." is "WORLD CLASS."

Who should drink it: Delicate voluptuaries.

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