Time for another coffee review and this time it’s an espresso blend. (ed.note 2021: we’re pulling a bunch of these coffee reviews from the website and posting them as archived blog posts for posterity).
Havana Reserve Espresso Blend, Paradise Roasters, $20.95/14oz
Chillin’ with the cigars, enjoying some Havana Reserve.
I almost didn’t list this one, because while it’s an adventurous, admirable experiment in an espresso blend, on its own, it didn’t really appeal to my taste “likes” in espresso. To explain this further, this is a very citrusy acidic blend – think sweet lemonade. It was also a difficult blend to dial in. But here’s why I think it is special, and worth trying (and you should try quick, since there’s only 250 bags of it!): This is an experiment pairing espresso with something… and that something is a cigar. And let me tell you… it works.
Miguel at Paradise is particularly proud of this blend, and I understand why, after enjoying it with a few of my favourite cigars – Thomas Hinds Nicaraguan Maduro Coronas. Hey, we get plenty of Cuban cigars up here in Canada, but the Hinds Nicaraguan is one of my personal favourites. Enjoying a shot… or two, or three, or four, with the Hinds as it flows through its progression as a cigar was absolutely brilliant. The lemon citrus notes of the shot, especially if you add just a tinge of sugar, played so well off the creamy buttery texture and flavour in the Hinds that it was one of those “moments” for me in espresso enjoyment.
As a straight shot, fans of bright espressos will love this. In milk, up to the cappuccino level, it really balances out well, providing, in a sense, a kind of creamsicle flavour that I really enjoyed. This is, I think, a warm weather espresso, meant to be enjoyed outdoors, in the sun, while you’re puffing away on a great cigar. Miguel hit a home run with this one.
Mark has certified as a Canadian, USA, and World Barista Championship Judge in both sensory and technical fields, as well as working as an instructor in coffee and espresso training. He started CoffeeGeek in 2001.
