Review #87: Destroyer / Roseline Coffee

Name of Roaster: Destroyer (Roseline Coffee)

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Culver City, CA (Portland, OR)

Name of Roast: Keramo Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium Origin of Beans: Bensa, Sidama, Ethiopia Price: $18.50 (12 oz.) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Seventeen Days Aroma: Opening the bag, we caught notes of warm mint chocolate chip cookie, raspberry compote, dry rosé, and a touch of ganache. Baking spices emerge on the grind, with raspberry and strawberry compote underneath, followed by chocolate cake. On the pour, rich dark brown sugar, molasses, and raw cane sugar show.

Flavor Profile: The coffee had a medium body with a fast, mid-palate entry that shots to the back of the tongue before reversing to the front. On the return, the roof of the mouth is coated with a viscous feel. Vibrant and lush, at the outset, the coffee showcases notes of brown sugar and burnt orange on top and a melange of tropical fruit below. The tip of the tongue gets guava, mango, banana, and florals, while the sides of the tongue pick up soft lime. The flavor profile is wild and undulating, with honey, ripe melon, bergamot, and guava appearing in phases. Body develops as the coffee cools, giving rise to a honeyed finish.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): We picked up this bag when we visited Destroyer on a recent trip to Los Angeles. Roseline Coffee, hailing from Portland, Oregon, provides the coffees for Destroyer, and this one is a doozy. We tried it separately with skyr and charcuterie, and it stood up to both, with the flavor profile shifting depending on the pairing. The charcuterie pairing in particular was of interest, eliciting herbal flavors and black tea while eliminating the sweetness on the finish. With its soft, clean feel and bright, sunny tasting notes, this coffee is prime for summertime sipping. We recommend stopping in to Destroyer to pick up a bag of Destroyer swag or visiting Roseline's shop or site to order a bag with their label's imprint.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 8.7. Where to Buy: Destroyer / Roseline Coffee Looking to do a review of your own? Hop over to the Community and get to it!