Kenya Kiambu Spike AA Lot 2

We tasted so many nice lots from Spike Farm, and couldn't settle for just one. We were won over by the spiced sweetness, and subtle fruits, and found ourselves buying multiple lots of their AA, AB, and Peaberry out-turns. This second AA selection carries a vibrant structure, with a sweetly-spiced aroma that lingers in the aftertaste. It's not all high notes either, and develops syrupy flavors that will satisfy your sweet tooth. The ground coffee has a scent of brown sugar, accented by hints of dried berry, raisin and clove. The wet aroma is sweetness forward, dark brown sugar, with hints of maple and cinnamon sauce. City and City+ roasts bring out a grounding sweetness of brown sugar, and maple initially, that shift to spiced sarsaparilla as it cools. The brew is tangy and sweet, like dried goji berries, blackberry tea, shifting to a long finish of spiced sugars. The acidic impression comes into focus, underscored by notes of cranberry and lemon, with a hint of orange tea that adds a tannic aspect to the finish. Overall, we found the acidity to be fairly well integrated for Kenya, and doesn't have the super high intensity you might associate with coffee from this region. I think this will be a plus for those who fawn over the fruited sweetness in Kenyan coffee, but not the screaming citric side that often comes with it.