Island Joes Coffee 519 Fleming Street Key West, Florida 33040
There are plenty of places in Key West which will offer you a cup of coffee. But there is only one which will offer you a cup of gourmet coffee and/or espreesso which is freshly roast right in the shop, plus which received as high coffee ratings as Island Joes Coffee.
Beemer's Breakfat Blend - Rated 91 out of 100 Blind Assessment: Delicate aroma with softly pungent cedar and sweet tomato notes. In the cup gently and crisply acidy, with distinct floral notes and coffee fruit that reads as a tart, chocolate-toned cherry. A simple but very pure coffee expression.
Who should drink it: A soft, sweetly fruit-and-floral-toned version of the classic American breakfast cup.
Smugglers Brew - Rated 88 out of 100 Blind Assessment: "Very impressive aroma: deep and lush with low-toned fruit (banana?) notes and hints of cedar and chocolate. In the cup crisp and roasty but still sweet with floral notes and a rich fruit that reads as semi-sweet chocolate. Simple but cleanly sweet finish. "
Who should drink it: Those who enjoy the sweet side of dark roasts.
90 Mile Stretch Espresso - Rated 90 out of 100 Blind Assessment:Very sweet-toned aroma with floral hints. In the small cup medium-bodied and slightly lean in mouthfeel, crisp, cedary, with raisiny, licorice-toned fruit. Slightly heavy finish but excellent flavor persistence, with the fruit turning toward chocolate. Comes into its own in milk, where it is balanced and roundly rich, with deep semi-sweet chocolate character.
Black Flag Espresso - Rated 90 out of 100 Blind Assessement: Cocoa, banana and a hint of cedar in the fine aroma. In the small cup big-bodied, gently and sweetly pungent, with a rich, orange-toned cedar character and cocoa notes that round toward chocolate. Rich short finish, very slightly astringent in the long, but sweet chocolate suggestions persist throughout. Remains in sturdy control in milk, though it never quite sweetens and blossoms.
Island Joes Breakfast Blend - Rated 91 out of 100 Blind Assessment: Very sweet-toned aroma: distinct cocoaish chocolate notes with hints of walnut and a black-cherry inclined fruit. In the cup the cocoa and walnut notes simplify and amplify, supported by a sweet, crisp acidity. Flavor fades rather quickly in the finish but the chocolate and walnut have the last word.
Who should drink it: The dominant baker's chocolate and walnut notes make this a strong-presenced cup despite its delicacy, with enough grace to be enjoyed black and enough substance to handle whitener.