Blind Assessment:

Dramatic, intense, distinctive. Aroma and flavor are dominated by the unique and unmistakable Kenya note, a pungently cedary, lemony blackberry, very sweet yet dry in the mouthfeel, a note that is often tagged with the simplifying term black currant. This sample displayed deepening complications of musk and malt as well. Crisp yet juicy acidity; silky mouthfeel. Briefly bittersweet in the short finish, then opens into a spectacular long finish, ringing with sweetness and complex layers of flavor.

Notes:

This exceptional coffee was selected as the #16 coffee in the Coffee Review Top 30 Coffees of 2013. Despite grower discontent and urban encroachment on prime coffee lands, Kenya continues to produce some of the world’s most elegant and distinctive coffees. With two locations in Southern California’s Orange County, Kean Coffee is an in-house coffee roaster and retailer established by Martin Diedrich of the distinguished Diedrich coffee family. The Kean slogan, “Martin knows his beans” should be true, considering Martin grew up in Guatemala where his family owned a coffee farm. Visit www.keancoffee.com or call 949-933-9164 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: This is a Kenya lovers’ coffee, startling and unique. Also a good place to start for those who are still unclear about the sensory drama associated with the best Kenyas.