I think I have made mention of this blend before...anyway, a little story from coffee land...
I bought a bag off the shelf (Never more than a couple of weeks old). It tasted wrong and had a really burnt taste yet the beans seemd medium dark roasted. I gave the roaster a call, a guy named Ray. He recieved the feedback really well and said he thought he had left the vents closed and allowed too much smoke to stay inside the drum. He did this to try to conserve heat. Anyway he kindly sent a replacement.
I tried these and they still tatsed a little tainted but OK.
Yesterday I get another bag from him. So I call him and ask 'Why????'
Turns out he found a couple of problems that my 'complaint' had highlighted, had rectified them and sent me an ultra fresh sample. He asked if I would try it and give feedback.
The blend was totally lovely, really rich, cocoa molasses, dark berry, chocolate and a spicey finish. So I fed this back and Ray was really pleased that this was how it tasted. He divuled it is a very complicated blend of Yirg, Kenyan, Guatemalen, Brazil, Colombian and PNG. yet despite it's huge variety, each bean really shines through.
The moral of the story? Never be afraid to talk to the roaster!
Kia Ora
Matt