Wayfarer Blend Brings Home Second-Place Prize at America’s Best Espresso

We’re excited to announce that Crimson Cup’s Wayfarer Blend arose from a field of 24 outstanding coffees to a runner-up finish in the America’s Best Espresso Eastern Championship at Coffee Fest New York.

After winning its first four rounds of competition, Wayfarer Blend was edged out by an entry from Red Rooster Coffee Roasters in the championship round.

In each round of the championship, Coffee Sourcing and Education Manager Brandon Bir pulled shots of Wayfarer Blend for evaluation by a panel of three judges for flavor complexity/balance, mouthfeel & appeal/body and aftertaste/session. In head-to-head competition, Wayfarer Blend beat entries from Irving Farm Coffee Roasters, Quills Coffee, Ithaca Coffee Company and S&D Coffee and Tea.

“All the competitors did an amazing job, and all of the espresso that was served to the judges would be considered excellent at any shop,” Brandon said. “I feel very fortunate to have shared our coffee with so many wonderful coffee professionals.

“The feedback we received from the judges can only help us increase the quality of the cup,” he added. “Ultimately this will allow us to offer the best espresso possible.”

Wayfarer, which means traveler, is blended from a rotating selection of current-crop coffees. The blend currently has Heirloom and Bourbon varietals cultivated at elevations of 1,700 to 2,000 meters. Lightly roasted, Wayfarer Blend melds the syrupy, rich and smooth notes of tree nuts and chocolate with bright accents of exotic fruits.

Wayfarer Blend received an outstanding 92 rating from Kenneth Davids and the Coffee Review. Reviewers described the handcrafted coffee as, “… a quietly comprehensive cup, with crisp nut and cacao notes and a softening bloom of sweet flowers.”

Coffee Review’s blind assessment was, “Rich, round, brisk. Hazelnut, roasted cacao nib, lemon grass, sweet honeysuckle in aroma and cup. Gently and softly tart acidity; smooth, satiny mouthfeel. Hazelnut and cacao carry into a gently dry, resonant finish.” The complete September 2015 review is available on the Coffee Review website.

America’s Best Espresso Eastern Championship competition took place March 11 to 13 at Coffee Fest New York, a coffee industry trade show held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 W. 34th Street.

This is Crimson Cup’s third appearance in the America’s Best Espresso championship. In 2013, our signature Armando’s Blend advanced to the second round of competition.

We want to thank the organizers and judges at Coffee Fest New York for hosting such an awesome competition. We were honored to compete with so many outstanding roasters!