Blind Assessment: Evaluated as espresso. Sweetly roast-toned, richly chocolaty and deep. Dark chocolate, black cherry, almond extract, marjoram, cedar in aroma and small cup. Creamy, viscous mouthfeel; chocolaty and fruit-driven finish. Chocolate explodes in three parts milk, supported by notes of black cherry and cedar with a hint of sweet marjoram.

Notes: Comprised entirely of the Red Bourbon variety of Arabica and processed by the washed method (fruit skin and flesh are removed from the beans before they are dried). In addition to his retail roasting operation, Aroma Roast Coffees, Simon Hsieh also operates Soaring Phoenix Trading, a business focused on purpose-built commercial espresso blends and high-quality single-origin coffees. Customers can also visit the new showroom, Chateau Andy, in Taipei City. Visit www.facebook.com/4ArtsZeroDefectCoffees or call 886-0983-749876 for more information.

The Bottom Line: A deftly darker-roasted single-origin espresso that’s equally impressive in the straight shot and in milk: chocolaty, fruit-toned; complex and rich.