Kenya Nyeri Ndaroini AA

This final lot of Ndaroini is their AA grade, which is the largest bean size separation produced in Kenya. It's not always better quality, but does always bring in the highest prices. Thankfully in the case of Ndaroini, grade lined up with cup quality and we do get some improved complexity over the AB we also bought. The fragrance off the ground coffee has a scent of spiced sugar and red berry, with elements of fruit pastry. The wet aroma has hints of candied ginger and red raisin wrapped in brown sugar. In the cup, City roasts have a very nice level of sweetness that falls on the line of raw sugars/caramelized sugars. Top notes of fruits and spice come through as the coffee cools, with hints of red raspberry and cranberry, blood orange, and woody whole spices like mace, cinnamon, and clove mark the finish. Sweetness is persistent too, and sticks around in the aftertaste. Ndaroini makes a pretty nice dark roast too. For one, it has thick body, especially at Full City/FC+. It also produces deep-toned flavors along with dark fruits, chocolatey and bittersweet. It ticks off a lot of boxes for me as espresso too. The mouthfeel is super creamy, with an undercurrent of rich bittersweetness, like dark chocolate truffle with a splash of tart raspberry.