Rwanda Coopac Cooperative

Blind Assessment: Balanced, pungent character - "smoky and nutty" for co-cupper Jim Reynolds (89), "prune, nut, aromatic wood" for Ken (90) with rich floral hints. Smooth mouthfeel, round, rich finish.

Notes: Rwanda's tremendous potential as fine coffee producer has only come to fruition over the past four to five years owing to generous support from international aid agencies, the specialty coffee community and the industry of its growers. Made up entirely of the admired Bourbon cultivar Bourbon Mayaguez, this lot of coffee was produced by the cooperative known as COOPAC (Cooperative pour la Promotion des Activities Cafe.) Although the words "Fair Trade" appear on the label of the attractive 12-ounce valve-topped can, the trade-marked seal of TransFair USA, the sole American certifier for the Fair-trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), does not. Kickapoo Coffee is a Wisconsin micro-roaster devoted to organic and fair-trade principles and coffees. Visit kickapoocoffee.com or call (608) 637-2022 for more information.

Who Should Drink It : A simple, rich Rwanda with tight-knit complexity. The pungent fruit may reflect the prized Bourbon cultivar.