Organization: Starbucks Coffee, Seattle, Washington
Coffee: Verona
Reviewed: May 2004
Overall Rating: 81 points
Roast (Agtron): Very-Dark (27/35)
Estimated Price:
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Origin: Not disclosed

Notes: Verona is one of Starbucks' darker roasted blends. Starbucks' limited edition wholebean coffees are often outstanding, but the quality-dampening demands of sheer volume appear to have taken its toll on main-menu blends like the Verona. Visit www.starbucks.com or call 800-782-7282 for more information.

Blind Assessment: Decent enough in the aroma: sweetly pungent, balanced, intensely roasty with a twist of slightly charred cedar. In the cup sweet and pungent, but the charred cedar notes turn to charred board notes, expressionless and woody. A vague hint of fruit at the top of the profile. I hope the nominating reader tasted a better sample of the Verona than this one.

Who should drink it: Dark-roast drinkers who don't have other options.

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