Robusta Dark Roast, Luwak Coffee

Blind Assessment: Evaluated as espresso. As a drip coffee fell quite short of 80. As espresso revealed some virtues. In the aroma sweet-toned with distinct chocolate and butter notes. In the small cup medium bodied, round-toned and sweet, with earth, aromatic wood and herbal notes (I read fennel) and hints of nut and chocolate. The finish was simple in the short and mildly astringent in the long. Surprisingly disappointing in milk: leanish in mouthfeel with banana and chocolate in front but a slight though disturbing note toward the finish that for me suggested salted meat.

Notes: A robusta species version of the famous (or infamous) Kopi Luwak, the world's most expensive coffee. The beans are harvested from the feces of a species of civet cat resident in Indonesia that eats ripe coffee fruit. None of the luwaked robustas we sampled for this set of reviews made attractive drip coffees; in fact, most were hardly drinkable. However, this very dark-roasted kopi luwak robusta produced an interesting if uneven espresso. Animalcoffee is a direct supplier, roaster and Internet retailer of kopi luwak with offices in Sumatra and Bali, Indonesia and Australia. Its impressive website offers well-written and colorfully illustrated answers to most questions about kopi luwak. Apparently coffee orders are custom roasted based on customer brewing method and preference. Visit www.animalcoffee.com for more information.

Who Should Drink It: Curiosity seekers with money and a good home espresso machine.