Blind Assessment: Quiet, roasty, chocolaty. Scorched oak, buttery dark chocolate, a hint of lemon in aroma and cup. Crisp, roast-toned acidity; lean though silky mouthfeel. A roasty chocolate dominates in the finish.

Notes: This is a limited edition coffee, one of an array of very select small-lot coffees that together demonstrate the entry of Starbucks into the new, highest-end specialty coffee arena. This coffee and most of the rest of the Starbucks Reserve coffees, including all of those that can be purchased online or at other Starbucks locations, are roasted on a largish batch-roaster located on the lower level of the Reserve Roastery, and based on our sampling are generally roasted somewhat darker than the highest-end coffees like those that are only sold scooped out of bulk bins at the Seattle location. For further information visit www.starbucks.com/roastery.

Who Should Drink It: Kona is not a particularly distinctive origin to start with, and here a rather aggressive dark roast doesn’t leave much origin character behind for speculation. We do get some scorchy, buttery dark chocolate, however, and a tickle of lemon.