Starbucks is a global coffee company and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. (I know Starbucks isn't based in the DMV area but I got it at lunch today and wanted to post something.)
From the roaster: Bright with a juicy acidity, low wine notes and fruity flavors—ranging from black currant and blackberry to tart grapefruit—that become more pronounced as the coffee cools.
Method: Clover machine at my local Starbucks (I wish I had one of these at home!)
Review and tl;dr after the jump...
Appearance: I got this at a Starbucks cafe so I didn't get a good look at the bean, the Clover brewing process was quite a show though!
Taste: At first the piping hot taste, I get peach and fruit punch flavor (Hawaiian Punch to be exact). Unfortunately, as the coffee cools, I'm not getting the grapefruit or currant flavors as the roaster suggests. I do get some ambiguous berry flavors that linger after the tartness/bitterness subsides.
Mouthfeel: Definitely on the juicier side as the mothership proclaims...
Smell: Very tannic, red wine-like, pretty much a one note bouquet.
Overall: I think this coffee greatly benefits from the excellent extraction of the Clover machine. It showcases the fruit flavors and tempers the bitterness that I believe would be more pronounced if brewed by french press or pour-over. Starbucks suggests serving this as an iced coffee and I am inclined to agree as it would allow the flavors to open up more. Still, if you can get past the biting acidity and tannic bitterness, you will be rewarded with some luscious fruit flavors.
TL;DR - Not a bad representation of the African terrior but the strong bitter notes kill what could be a very fruit forward cup.
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