• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Coffee Review

The World's Leading Coffee Guide

Advanced Search

  • Reviews
    • Latest Reviews
    • Top 30 Coffees of 2024
    • Top-Rated (94+)
    • Espressos
    • Best Values
    • Taiwan Coffees – 台灣送評的咖啡豆
    • Single-Serve Formats
    • Reviews by Country of Origin
    • Reviews by U.S. City
    • Green/Unroasted
    • Advanced Search
    • Equipment Reviews
  • Reports
    • Latest Reports
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia-Pacific
    • Espressos
    • Annual Top 30
    • Processing Method
    • Social/Environmental
    • Tree Variety
    • Blends
    • Equipment
  • Equipment
    • Equipment Reviews
    • Equipment Reports
  • Journal
    • 2025 Editorial Calendar
    • Top 30 Coffees of 2024
    • How Coffee Review Works
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Kenneth Davids
    • Our Team
    • Our Advertisers
    • Learn
      • Interpreting Coffee Reviews
      • Reference
      • Glossary
    • Contact Us
  • Trade
    • 2025 Editorial Calendar
    • Becoming an Advertiser
    • 2025 Media Kit
    • Campaign Package Deals
    • Getting Coffees Reviewed
    • Quoting Reviews
    • Award Certificates
  • 中文 – Chinese
    • 評介和獎章宣傳使用條款
    • 台灣送評的咖啡豆
    • 如何將您的咖啡送評
    • “行銷攻略” 促銷活動

Shop for top-rated coffees at Durango Coffee Company

Shop for Top-rated coffees at Barrington Coffee Roasters

Shop for top-rated coffees at Kakalove in Taiwan


94

Big Shoulders Coffee

Makwa Kenya AB

Roaster Location: Chicago, Illinois
Coffee Origin: Nyeri growing region, south-central Kenya
Roast Level: Light
Agtron: 62/84
Est. Price: $14.00/12 ounces
Review Date: July 2017
Aroma: 9
Acidity: 9
Body: 9
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 8

Blind Assessment

Richly pungent, sweet-savory. Coconut, violet, baker’s chocolate, musky hops, oak in aroma and cup. Vibrant, sweet acidity; delicate, velvety-smooth mouthfeel. The sweet-toned finish consolidates to floral and chocolate notes enveloped in a savory edge that suggests hops.

Notes

Produced from trees of the admired Bourbon-derived SL 28 variety of Arabica as well as the hybrid Ruiru 11 variety. Despite grower discontent, confusing government coffee policy and urban encroachment on prime coffee lands, the famed Kenya coffee auction system and its participating cooperatives continue to produce some of the world’s most elegant and distinctive coffees. Big Shoulders Coffee is a Chicago artisan roaster that emphasizes a fresh-roasted, no-nonsense approach to fine coffee. Visit www.bigshoulderscoffee.com or call 312-888-3042 for more information.

Bottom Line

A resonantly engaging Kenya cup: smoothly bright acidity, sweet fruit and floral notes and a deep, savory throughline.

Explore Similar Coffees

Click here for more reviews from Big Shoulders Coffee

Click here for more information about coffees from Kenya

Primary Sidebar

Shop for top-rated coffees at Durango Coffee Company

Shop for Top-rated coffees at Barrington Coffee Roasters

Shop for top-rated coffees at Kakalove in Taiwan

Become an advertiser

Get Coffees Reviewed

Connect with Us

Sign Up for Our Free E-Newsletter

Enter your email address below to receive our free e-mail newsletter
  • Coffee Reviews
  • Tasting Reports
  • Reference
  • Glossary
  • Please Support Our Advertisers
  • Contact Us
  • Journal
  • Kenneth Davids
  • Interpreting Coffee Reviews
  • Roast Definitions
  • Caveats about Coffee Ratings
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Getting Coffees Reviewed
  • Advertising Opportunities
  • Quoting Reviews
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Security

Copyright © 2025 Coffee Review. All Rights Reserved.