Coffee Details
Coffee Name
El Salvador El Mirador PacamaraRoaster
Roadmap CoffeeWorksRoaster Location
Lexington, VirginiaEstimated Price
$20.95 / 12ozFlavor Profile
Lemon, graham cracker, and caramelProcess
NaturalCountry
El SalvadorRegion
Apaneca IlamatepecElevation
1350 MASLProducer
Mapache: Casa de Zinc (Farm)Roast
Medium-LightRoast Date
February 6, 2023Reviewed Date
February 11, 2023Coffee Scoring
Overall Score
Aroma
Body
Flavor
Acidity/Brightness
Balance
Sweetness
Cleanliness
Aftertaste
Complexity
Flexibility
Pros
The Pacamara variety is one of the coolest coffee varieties out there. Its bean’s enormous size is why it also received the nickname the “elephant bean.” They have a ton of flavor potential but can be a bit tricky to roast given their size and characteristics. This El Mirador from Roadmap is a great expression of the Pacamara varietal and has been delicious to brew.
The dominant profile throughout was s’mores. As a lover of s’mores, this was a genuine treat and enhanced the experience with this coffee. The coffee begins with a sweet fragrance of graham crackers and chocolate that initially sparks the association with s’mores. In the flavor, I tasted apple & chocolate with subtle hints of campfire roast. The body is big & creamy with caramel and marshmallowy sweetness that again gave the impression of having a big bite of s’mores in your mouth with every sip. The brightness was fairly soft and rounded and the finish smooth and lingering. El Mirador worked quite well in all brew methods, but I enjoyed it most in full immersion brews that accepted the bigger body.
The Bottom Line
El Mirador was a bit bolder than the delicate fruit and floral coffees I often love, but the strong chocolate and graham cracker notes paired with the marshmallow sweetness gave the coffee a strong s’mores profile that I really enjoyed.