Organization: Paradise Roasters, Ramsey, Minnesota
Coffee: Sumatra Danau Toba
Reviewed: February 2008
Overall Rating: 96 points
Roast (Agtron): Medium-Light (58/78)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Lake Toba region, North Sumatra Province, Sumatra, Indonesia

Notes: A traditional Sumatra of the type usually called Mandheling or Lintong from the classic growing regions near Lake Toba. It shares some of the unorthodox character of the regional type: a hint of earth, low-acid fruit, dense mouthfeel. This particular Sumatra adds a powerful sweetness and complexity to that traditional profile, however. Paradise Roasters prides itself on roasting and shipping coffee only after orders are placed. Its metaphoric mission is to bring some paradisiacal warmth from the coffee-growing south to the cool environs of Minnesota. Visit www.paradiseroasters.com or call 763-433-0626 for more information.

Blind Assessment: Powerfully sweet throughout the profile, but without candyish sentiment. Moist leafy earth notes in the aroma with hints of flowers and grapefruit and pungently buttery notes that plausibly read as butterscotch. In the cup big-bodied with a backgrounded but vibrant acidity. Flavor is dominated by a lush, cherryish or grapey fruit with continuing hints of earth and butterscotch. The lush fruit and crisp earth together carry into the long, deep finish.

Who should drink it: Lovers of the sensory paradox found in Port wines and other fruitily sweet yet pungently deep beverages.

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