Blind Assessment:

Sweetly roast-rounded. Baker’s chocolate, singed cedar, dried cherry, lily, Brazil nut in aroma and cup. Gently bittersweet structure with a hint of acidity; lightly creamy mouthfeel. The resonant finish is flavor-saturated, if short.

Notes:

Yirgacheffe is a coffee region in southern Ethiopia that produces distinctive coffees from traditional varieties of Arabica long grown in the region. This Yirgacheffe is processed by the honey method, an atypical process for Ethiopia, involving removing the outer skin as it is in the wet or “washed” method, but leaving at least some of the sticky fruit residue, or honey, to dry on the bean. Espresso Republic, founded in 2010, specializes in sourcing quality coffees and roasting them in small batches for both retail and wholesale customers. Visit www.espressorepublic.com for more information.

The Bottom Line: An inviting honey-processed Ethiopia, with cocoa, fruit and floral notes both rounded and turned gently crisp by a tactful medium-dark roast.