Organization: Texas Roast Premium Gourmet Coffee, Rockwall, Texas
Coffee: Cowboy Roast
Reviewed: April 2007
Overall Rating: 89 points
Roast (Agtron): Very-Dark (31/34)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Not disclosed.

Notes: A dark roast blend from an in-store coffee roaster that apparently specializes in doing dark roasts well and, above all, doing them fresh, under the motto "Wake Up Strong and Free." Here the Western identity associated with strongly brewed, dark-roasted coffee is invoked by the blend name, associated as it is with "cowboy coffee," the legendary brew produced by leaving the old, spent coffee grounds in the pot while continually adding new grounds. According to legend this process continues until there is no more room for water in the pot, whereupon, reportedly with great regret, the old grounds are finally dumped and the process begun anew. I don't know whether the news that this blend is relatively elegant in its extremity and worth brewing right will disappoint fans of this Western myth or reassure them. Visit www.texasroast.com or call 972-722-6336 for more information.

Blind Assessment: Very impressive aroma: sweet, deep, with a gently rounded pungency and distinct grapefruit notes with background cedar and semi-sweet chocolate. Medium-bodied with a smooth, astringency-free mouthfeel. The aromatics simplify in the cup and finish, although they remain pleasing: continued round pungency and a roasty semi-sweet chocolate. Rich finish with only slight astringency.

Who should drink it: Aficionado cowboys.

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