Review #51: Cordial Coffee Co.

Name of Roaster: Cordial Coffee Co. Location of Roaster (City, State, Country): Berryville, VA

Name of Roast: Finca La Cordillera, Colombia Type of Roast (Light, Medium, Dark): Medium Origin of Beans: Finca La Cordillera, Colombia Price: $16 (16 oz) Brewing Method (Drip, Chemex, AeroPress, etc.): Chemex Time Between Purchase and Brewing (Ballpark is fine): Twenty-one days Aroma: Opening the bag, we noted baking spice, cookie crust, baked chocolate cake with raspberry coulis, and milk chocolate bar. Graham cracker, melted semisweet chocolate, cinnamon, baked chocolate cake, and cocoa powder showed on the grind, while rich brown sugar, dark chocolate, and caramelizing pure cane sugar showed on the pour.

Flavor Profile: Mid-palate entry that sits in the front half of the mouth before dropping to the bottom of the tongue and making its way to the back of the mouth. Initial flavors of high-percentage dark chocolate pervaded and enveloped the palate, with lush, rich aromatics of dark chocolate hugging the roof of the mouth on the finish. A slight juiciness provided an undercurrent that worked around the sides of the mouth, with a hint of lime running alongside the sharp dark chocolate. As the coffee cooled, the aforementioned juiciness started to take a more fuller form; fruit began to show, including red apple, white grape, and pear, along with the current of lime. Aromatics remained consistent throughout.

Overall Impression (What did you think of it? Anything else we should know?): This is a solid, balanced Colombian coffee that elevates beyond the usual cup through its bright fruit and pleasurable aromatics. The coffee works well alone or with milk, and we'd recommend pairing it with a breakfast item that would provide a complementary base without too much sweetness, such as granola. In pairing with whole grain oats, we noted a surprising herbaceous quality to the brew. Also, for those who are interested in locations additional to Cordial's flagship in Berryville, we picked up this bag at Cordial's newly opened second location in Marshall, VA. Final Score (1-10, with 10 being the best cup of coffee in your life): 7.5 Where to Buy: Cordial Coffee Co. Looking to do a review of your own? Hop over to the Community and get to it!