Organization: Velton's Coffee, Seattle, Washington
Coffee: Bonsai Blend Espresso
Reviewed: May 2009
Overall Rating: 94 points
Roast (Agtron): Medium-Dark (37/47)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Not disclosed.

Notes: Located in Everett, Washington, north of Seattle, Velton's Coffee is a quality-focused small-batch wholesale roaster. Visit www.veltonscoffee.com or call 206-250-6130 for more information.

Blind Assessment: Co-taster Byron Holcomb (94): "On the nose, I got inviting, complex floral and strawberry notes. The body was vivacious - I could have said round, sweet, with a little savory edge, comforting, but vivacious will do." Both Ken (94) and Byron found chocolate and malt in the flavor, with an assortment of additional descriptors that testify to the complexity of this blend: "cedar, butter" (Ken), "lemon bar, spice" (Byron). Both were impressed by the big, sweet, chocolaty bloom in milk, which Byron found was complicated by a continued, brightening hint of lemon zest. It appears that a very controlled, judicious use of cleanly fruity-fermented dry-processed coffees contributed to the round, sweet, complex richness of this versatile blend.

Who should drink it: Everyone: round, rich mouthfeel, natural sweetness, great complexity, suave presence in milk.

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