Review #41: Boxcar Coffee Roasters

Name of Roaster: Boxcar Coffee Roasters

Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Boulder, CO

Name of Roast: El Salvador Mambo #5 Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium Origin of Beans: Finca Divisadero, Ataco, El Salvador Price: $15.75 Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Four Days Aroma: Tearing open the seal and unfurling the bag, we were struck by the bright, complex scent of baking spices, nutmeg, cocoa powder, burnt orange peel, watermelon, and hibiscus. Similar notes showed after the grind, especially the floral and tropical notes, but with more rich, deep chocolate showing. On the pour, a floral, honeyed note appeared first, followed by dark brown sugar underneath. Flavor Profile: The coffee had a high entry and light body that developed into a fuller body as the coffee cooled. At first blush, the coffee was tea-like and floral on the front, with the flavors hugging the roof of the mouth as the coffee moved back before dropping at the back of the tongue. Return sips showed the aforementioned fuller body, but remaining light, with tropical notes, including mango, creamsicle, pineapple, lemon, and lychee, covering the tongue in an amenable manner. As the coffee cooled, a hint of tomato appeared, as well. The sides of the tongue picked up additional brightness, as meyer lemon, hibiscus, rose petal, and mandarin orange showed. The finish was light and carefree, with pleasant aromatics and a slight acidity on the front half and tip of the tongue. Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): This coffee caught us off guard, especially after the chocolate-forward coffees we had reviewed over the last number of weeks. This is a delicate cup that can be savored on its own without pairing, calling to mind beaches and sunshine. For those seeking an adventure, this coffee is exceptional, as there are a number of exciting flavors to unpack in this well-balanced cup. For those who prefer a more traditional, heavier-bodied cup, we'd recommend steering clear, as this will not meet your needs.

Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 8.6. Where to Buy: Boxcar Coffee Roasters Looking to do a review of your own? Hop over to the Community and get to it!