Organization: Terroir Coffee, Acton, Massachusetts
Coffee: El Salvador La Montana
Reviewed: October 2007
Overall Rating: 93 points
Roast (Agtron): Medium-Light (62/77)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Chalatenango Department, El Salvador

Notes: A prize winner in the 2007 El Salvador Cup of Excellence (www.cupofexcellence.org) competition, where as a green (unroasted) coffee it placed first out of hundreds of entries, attracting a score of 92.8 from an international jury. This lot, selected by farmer Raul Ochoa, is composed entirely of beans from trees of the recently developed but admired Pacamara variety of arabica, a large-beaned cross between the very large-beaned Maragogipe variety and the local El Salvador Pacas. Terroir is a microroaster selling only elite single-origin coffees, no blends. It specializes in medium roast styles designed to foreground the character of the green coffee. Terroir is the creation of George Howell, one of the world's leading coffee visionaries. Visit www.terroircoffee.com or call 866-444-5282 for more information.

Blind Assessment: The aroma has great depth and range of sensation: flowers, butter, cherry, hints of chocolate and cedar. In the cup rich acidity, supple mouthfeel. The aromatics simplify slightly in the mouth but retain great depth and power: tartly pungent though ripe cherry, distinct honey, a continuing hint of chocolate. Clean, sweet finish.

Who should drink it: Complex classicists.

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