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Feature

Aroma - 10 - Deep, rich aromas of intense smoke quickly fill the room touched by mild oily notes and faint hints of caramelized molasses in the bottom end. This coffee definitely wouldn't seem out of place at a Starbucks based on its aroma alone.
Flavor - 10 - We've been longing for an espresso roast coffee that tasted as intense as an espresso and this sure delivered. An intense blast of strong smoke & oils gives way to bittersweet dark chocolate throughout the cup. Smoky dark chocolate typically associated with espressos? We like!
Acidity - 10 - Despite the tempest of intensity swirling about in the cup, things were very well balanced overall with a slight sour hit up front for a few seconds which immediately gives way to the main flavors in the coffee and lets them shine through unimpeded. Just enough to keep things popping without covering anything up.
Mouth Feel - 10 - Seemed a bit light at first, but was still surprisingly super smooth with the usual oily notes found in espressos showing up near the middle of each sip. Despite the oils being present, it wasn't anything overbearing and further added to the experience. Finish was on the sweet side with a load of dark chocolate & smoky notes present which even carried through into the final aftertaste. Packaging may vary.
Body - 10 - The theme of intensity continues as super dark colors give way to deep shades of wine-like burgundy red which was edged-out by deep shades of orange underneath when held in front of a light source. This only helped make things look as intense as they tasted.

Description

Cafe Bustelo is a brand which, until recently, was a brand mainly known only to the latin community as it's been a staple in bodegas for about the past 80 years or so. The brand had hit a slump until it underwent a rebranding a few years ago which aimed new products such as canned iced coffee (Bustelo Cool) as well as the brand itself towards a younger generation. Today the brand is popular amongst hipsters & those who simply enjoy a good, strong coffee. It's also been gaining popularity in Hollywood with the brand appearing at various events from Coachella to the Oscars. The brand got its start when its founder, Gregorio Bustelo moved from Spain to Cuba in the 1920s & got hooked on the coffee style popular in the region. He decided to take up the practice of coffee roasting and later moved to Puerto Rico. Once US Congress passed the Jones-Shafroth Act which granted people of Puerto Rico US citizenship, Gregorio moved his family to the East Harlem region of New York City and used the last of his savings to buy a coffee roaster after falling on hard times trying to find work. As luck would have it, his home was located near a theatre and he would start roasting coffee around the time patrons would be let out each night after the end of each show. The smell lured people to his home and he started selling coffee each night. By 1931, the first Bustelo Coffee Roasters shop opened up on 5th Avenue between 113th & 114th streets as the business took off. Today, the brand is owned by Rowland Coffee Roasters Inc. based out of Miami, Florida. The rest, as they say, is history. Packaging may vary.