Top-Rated Coffees (94+ points)

Evaluated as espresso. Co-taster John DiRuocco (95) was particularly impressed by the lavish sweetness and fruit of this elaborately anaerobic-processed coffee from Colombian processing innovator Edwin Noreña. John found the well-structured and clean-finishing character sufficient to contain and balance the aromatic fireworks. Ken (92), on the other hand, found the sweetness and fruit a bit too intense and candy-like, though he found compensating value in underlying musk and sandalwood tendencies. Both tasters admired the coffee in three parts milk, which rounded and diluted the intensely sweet fruit.

Evaluated as espresso. Co-taster John DiRuocco (94) liked this coffee (“brightly orange and juicy, sweet, jasmine and stone fruit”) a bit better than Ken did (93), who nevertheless concurred with John’s descriptors and added dark chocolate and molasses. Both found the mouthfeel plush and satiny. In three parts milk, the shot proved delicate yet substantial, with an animated, light-footed chocolate.

Evaluated as espresso. Co-taster John DiRuocco (94) found spicy fruit, orange water and vanilla-like flowers in aroma and cup; Ken (93) concurred and added sweet chocolate and almonds. Altogether a silky textured, lively espresso. The aromatic intricacy consolidates a bit in three parts milk, and the familiar chocolate and almondy nut move forward.

Evaluated as espresso. Ken intensely admired this classic washed profile for its round brightness, plum-toned fruit, rose-toned flowers, and chocolaty and cedary balance, rating it 95. For co-taster John DiRuocco, the profile was pleasing but one-dimensional, though he rewarded the smooth mouthfeel, citrusy brightness and clean balance with a 92. Ken found the floral chocolate and cedary base particularly impressive in three parts milk.

Elegantly fruit-forward, richly aromatic. Wild strawberry, cocoa nib, lemon verbena, amber, narcissus in aroma and cup. Balanced, juicy acidity; full, syrupy-smooth mouthfeel. Long, resonant, flavor-saturated finish.

Complex, richly sweet-tart. Pomegranate, pineapple kefir, cocoa nib, freesia, cedar in aroma and cup. Tart-leaning structure with bright, bright acidity; very full, satiny mouthfeel. Tangy finish with notes of cocoa nib and pineapple kefir.

Floral-toned, super-sweet. Wisteria, cocoa nib, rambutan, black sage, salted caramel in aroma and cup. Malic (apple-like) acidity; plush, viscous mouthfeel. Concentrated finish that carries through on the promise of the cup.

Fruit-driven, brightly sweet. Nectarine, black cherry, magnolia, pomelo, cedar in aroma and cup. Gently bright, sweetly tart acidity; crsip, dry-vermouth-like body. Resonant, harmonious, integrated finish.

Richly aromatic, multi-layered, deeply sweet. Fruit Loops cereal, pineapple kefir, cocoa nib, black sage, agave nectar in aroma and cup. Bright, balanced acidity; plush, very syrupy mouthfeel. Long finish centered around notes of Fruit Loops and cocoa nib.

Evaluated as espresso. Nuanced, multi-layered, high-toned. Bergamot, strawberry guava, cocoa nib, almond butter, freesia in aroma and small cup. Plush, syrupy mouthfeel; long, satiating finish. In three parts milk, notes of freesia and cocoa nib are amplified, with undertones of strawberry guava, almond and bergamot.

Sweetly spice-toned, delicately aromatic. Ginger blossom, clove, narcissus, cocoa nib, goji berry in aroma and cup. Gently bright, balanced acidity; vibrant, silky mouthfeel. Crisp, cocoa-toned finish supported by notes of ginger blossom and clove.

Elegantly berry-toned, dessert-like. Mulberry, candycap mushroom amber, apricot nectar, dark chocolate in aroma and cup. Brightly sweet-savory acidity; plush, syrupy-smooth mouthfeel. Harmonious, integrated, flavor-saturated finish.

Evaluated as espresso. Rich-toned, deeply sweet-savory. Black currant, pomegranate, hop flowers, dark chocolate, magnolia, cedar in aroma and small cup. Crisp, lightly satiny mouthfeel; intense, concentrated finish rife with notes of black currant, magnolia and dark chocolate. In cappuccino format, dark chocolate notes are amplified, as are magnolia and black currant.

Juicy, lithe, high-toned. Lychee, passionfruit, sandalwood, cocoa nib, marjoram in aroma and cup. Sparkling acidity; crisp, lushly satiny mouthfeel. Cocoa-toned tropical fruit in the finish.

Evaluated as espresso. Richly aromatic, brightly sweet-tart. Dark chocolate, black cherry, tamarind, cedar, finger lime in aroma and small cup. Full, creamy mouthfeel; richly chocolaty, tart-leaning finish. In cappuccino format, dark chocolate and black cherry notes carry the profile, with support from finger lime and cedar.

Nuanced, multi-layered fruit-forward. Bergamot, apricot nectar, star jasmine, lemon balm, sandalwood in aroma and cup. Complex, juicy acidity; full, syrupy mouthfeel. Long-lasting finish that carries over all the flavor notes from the cup.

Deeply sweet-savory. Mulberry, cocoa nib, thyme, cedar, agave syrup in aroma and cup. Sweet-tart acidity; plush, syrupy mouthfeel. Sweetly herbaceous finish supported by cocoa nib and mulberry.

Deep-toned, richly sweet. Dark chocolate, clove, apricot, caramel, cedar in aroma and cup. Bright, balanced acidity; plush, satiny mouthfeel. Chocolaty, spice-toned finish.

Deeply aromatic, complex. Bergamot, mulberry, tea rose, cinnamon, amber in aroma and cup. Delicately sweet-tart acidity; crisp, silky-smooth mouthfeel. Long, resonant, flavor-saturated finish.

Cocoa-toned, sweetly herbaceous. Cocoa nib, nectarine, lemon verbena, agave syrup, cedar in aroma and cup. Balanced, juicy acidity; silky-smooth mouthfeel. Citrusy finish supported by cocoa nib and cedar.