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Black River Roasters


Updated 7/17/2021

NOTE: I flubbed my review of the space here. If I have a chance to return on my way back I will revise.

Lovely cup of coffee. I could drink this all day long. Smooth, light/medium roast. Bright acidity, fruity aroma, milk chocolate. Lingering woody taste. At least I think woody is the right word,but a pleasant woody. It's a taste I get in a lot of different coffees that's never mentioned in the flavor profiles listed on the description. 

After tasting I compare my notes to the label:

Not too far off. My distinct impression though was milk chocolate - like open up a Lindt milk chocolate bar and smell it - that really stood out for me. I had finished the cup by the time I bought the bag so I couldn't go back and try to discern the other specific flavor notes. 

I will note that the scone was served cold, like out of the refrigerator cold. That needs fixing. 

The shop is located along a highway with a good sized parking lot, graveled, which is nice, and set back from the traffic, with trees around the borders of the property.  Inside you definitely get the feel of a place whose main occupation is roasting coffee. It's not going to be your second office away from home or a place you want to just hang out for a couple of hours - there is "bar" seating with stools along the window and not much else, except outdoors a couple of tables when the weather is nice.  (Looking at the images on google it appears there's a whole lounge area that I missed. I need to be more observant.)  On this cool morning with the sun rising to warm me up I rather appreciated the outdoor seats (it was was slightly uncomfortably cold at 65 mph). There also appears to be generous space for events such as tastings

Update: stopped back on my return trip for a pour over Ethiopian. Distinctly different from the one I had in Columbia, SC at Drip.

I noted blackberry, like jam, and something citrusy, something exotic like cedar but not exactly. Nothing jumps out like the blueberry of the previous Ethiopian (Yergacheffe, I think). Let's check the roasters notes:

"Light bodied and easy-drinking, this washed Ethiopian has notes of juicy peach, flower honey, delicate chamomile, and creamy bergamot with a mild cashew finish."

Well, someone is off. I'm sticking with blackberry over peach, let's just agree it's fruity.

I can get behind floral, for sure. I know bergamot and I'm not getting it. camomile may be the exotic I was tasting. Not getting any nutty taste. Great coffee, but I can't get that nuanced with the specific flavors described. Limitation of my palate, the brewing method, the freshness of the coffee, or some of all that?

Revisiting the space: upstairs lounge is roomy and comfortable.

Definitely come for the coffee, it's worth going out of your way. About 5 minutes off I-78.

Ratings (1-5 cups)

Coffee:



Ambiance/Comfort:





Space/Size:




Price:









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