Blind Assessment: A ready-to-drink black coffee, tested cold. Richly chocolaty, boldly nut-toned, deeply sweet. Chocolate fudge, rhododendron, black cherry, fresh-cut fir, molasses. Sweet-toned structure with mild acidity; crisp, satiny-smooth mouthfeel. The chocolaty finish is supported by rhododendron and fresh-cut fir. With a splash of whole milk, fudge-like chocolate notes and undertones of black cherry win the day.

Notes: This coffee tied for the third-highest rating in a tasting of ready-to-drink black coffees for Coffee Review’s July 2020 tasting report. Brewed hot, then flash-chilled and bottled. The green coffee used is Magnolia’s Jade Espresso Blend, which consists of a Brazil semi-washed coffee, a washed Uganda and Colombia, and an El Salvador natural. Post-roast, a natural Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is added. Nitrogen gas is used throughout the whole system, including flushing the kegs and pushing the draft coffee into bottles. Contains no additives or ingredients other than coffee and water. Magnolia Coffee is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based specialty roaster whose motto is “Craft roasted. Truly delicious. Socially conscious.” Magnolia particularly emphasizes community engagement through its Local Beans for Local Good programs.Visit www.magnoliacoffeeco.com or call 704-651-7726 for more information.

The Bottom Line : Magnolia’s classic espresso blend, repurposed as rich, chocolaty, nutty, deep-flavored cold brew.