What follows is my set of first impressions, formed in a rush this morning as I tried to taste this coffee and at the same time catch my usual train to work. I couldn't manage a full cupping under the circumstances, so the review is here on the forum for now.
OK Steve, you're right it's not as good as the La Manuela.
I only had time to form a quick impression as I was in my usual rush for the train, and something gave me a sneezing fit so my sense of smell was knackered at the critical moment.
That said, I roasted this one pretty much exactly as I did the La Manuela (see the review), to try and bring out that natural sweetness that is so nice about the best Colombians, and makes them CM's recommended "sweetener" in espresso (or so he told me when he sneered at my love of Ugandan Bugisu for the same purpose!). It was roasted around 7pm on Sunday, just after returning from the get-together at Steve's and having dropped Eward off at the station. I therefore tasted it at around 36 hours, which is a bit younger than I normally would go for - but I'm out of roasted!
I got Katie to smell the grounds for me (see above for why) but she couldn't find anything remarkable in the smell - "smells like coffee" she told me with that sort of disdainful shrug that only a 19 year old woman who really loves coffee but is struggling not to appear "geeky" can manage. I brewed in a press-pot as usual, using bottled Buxton water, which is my current favourite for brewed coffee.
The initial impression on tasting was of a lighter, slightly more acidic coffee than the La Manuela. The initial burst of floral notes which so delighted me with the La M was not present at all. The rich fatness and sweetness which I like in the good Colombians I've roasted was not present either. Interestingly though there were some slight citrus notes in the finish, and the finish was incredibly long. I got a sudden burst of "lemon peel" about thirty seconds into the finish at one point.
I understand what Steve means when he says "tastes like a Colombian". Yes it does, and it's perfectly agreeable, just not outstanding. It does have some interesting characteristics though, like the finish, and it definitely opens up as it cools.
I'll try again tomorrow, when the roast is a bit more mature. Hopefully I'll have more time to taste it properly then.
Phil