Nespresso Brings Back KAZAAR and DHARKAN as part of the Permanent Grand Crus!

Originally launched as a Limited Edition in 2010, Kazaar, the most intense Nespresso blend yet, is back and is here to stay! Responding to Club Members' requests, Nespresso is introducing Kazaar for the third time, this time permanently, making it the only Limited Edition Grand Cru to be released more than once.

 

Kazaar

Kazaar is authentic and powerful with a raw intensity of 12 – the strongest in the Nespresso Grand Cru collection. Its powerful bitterness and notes of pepper, nutmeg and cloves are balanced by a full and creamy texture. The intense coffee is a daring blend of two Robustas and a separately roasted Arabica from South America. Its unusual origins and blending method, together with its strength create a one-of-a-kind taste experience.

Dharkan

Dharkan is exceptionally intense, yet distinctively silky.  This Grand Cru is a complex blend with hints of bitter cocoa powder and toasted cereals, comprised of washed Arabicas from Latin America and Asia.  Dharkan was created using a technique of long roasting at low temperatures unveiling the powerful, seductive and velvety character of the blend.  Its silky and smooth texture creates a subtle balance of bitterness that lingers on the taste buds.  Dharkan also breaks the existing Nespresso scale with an intensity of 11.

With the new addition of Kazaar and Dharkan, the Nespresso Grand Cru permanent collection has expanded to include six new coffee offerings over the past year – Kazaar, Dharkan, Linizio Lungo, Vanilio, Ciocattino and Caramelito. The permanent range of Nespresso Grands Crus now includes 21 coffees.

Source: www.nespresso.com

Enjoy!

Nespresso Brings Back KAZAAR and DHARKAN as part of the Permanent Grand Crus!

Originally launched as a Limited Edition in 2010, Kazaar, the most intense Nespresso blend yet, is back and is here to stay! Responding to Club Members' requests, Nespresso is introducing Kazaar for the third time, this time permanently, making it the only Limited Edition Grand Cru to be released more than once.

 

Kazaar

Kazaar is authentic and powerful with a raw intensity of 12 – the strongest in the Nespresso Grand Cru collection. Its powerful bitterness and notes of pepper, nutmeg and cloves are balanced by a full and creamy texture. The intense coffee is a daring blend of two Robustas and a separately roasted Arabica from South America. Its unusual origins and blending method, together with its strength create a one-of-a-kind taste experience.

Dharkan

Dharkan is exceptionally intense, yet distinctively silky.  This Grand Cru is a complex blend with hints of bitter cocoa powder and toasted cereals, comprised of washed Arabicas from Latin America and Asia.  Dharkan was created using a technique of long roasting at low temperatures unveiling the powerful, seductive and velvety character of the blend.  Its silky and smooth texture creates a subtle balance of bitterness that lingers on the taste buds.  Dharkan also breaks the existing Nespresso scale with an intensity of 11.

With the new addition of Kazaar and Dharkan, the Nespresso Grand Cru permanent collection has expanded to include six new coffee offerings over the past year – Kazaar, Dharkan, Linizio Lungo, Vanilio, Ciocattino and Caramelito. The permanent range of Nespresso Grands Crus now includes 21 coffees.

Source: www.nespresso.com

Enjoy!

Nespresso Trieste and Napoli Limited Edition 2013

 

Another wonderful Nespresso Limited Edition release I got to taste today. The Limited Edition 2013 is an inspiration drawn from Italy's diverse coffee culture. The showcased is highlighted by the two coffee-centric and cultural cities of Trieste and Naples.

Trieste

With an intensity level 9, this delicate blend of Arabica beans from South America and East Africa offers a round texture, with fragrant chocolate and fresh hazelnut notes. A refreshingly fruity touch brings out an exceptional subtlety in this coffee which reveals its full intensity when  enjoyed in the Italian style - as a Ristretto (25ml shot).

Napoli

With an intensity rating of 11, Napoli is bold and assertive thanks to its syrupy body. Best savored as a Ristretto (25ml shot), this blend of Arabica from South America, Africa and Asia with hints of Robusta releases fine smoky notes. Its aromatic woodiness is lightly scented with nuance of dry black tea leaf.

The Art of Degustation

The Crem - Napoli has a darker crema than Trieste. This difference is due primarily to the fact that Napoli is roasted longer, but also due to the composition of the two coffees. Napoli Limited Edition is a blend of Robusta and very spicy Arabica beans, while Trieste Limited Edition is 100% Arabica.

The Aroma - The Napoli coffee releases the woody and smoky aromas typical of the beans subjected to a long roasting process. Trieste coffee, on the other hand, features an extremely rich aroma, with notes of chocolate and fresh hazelnut derived from Brazilian coffee beans and delicate beans from East Africa.

The Taste - In it after notes, Napoli is immediately recognized as a coffee with a strong personality. Trieste, on the other hand is more subtle and rounded. Napoli is slightly bitter but not acidic and offer a long finish. By contrast, the fruity hints added by the Colombian beans bring out an exceptional subtlety in Trieste.

The body - The Napoli coffee has a more syrupy body because of its long rioasting time and the origin of the bean. Trieste on the other hand, is a silkier coffee.

For more info visit Nespresso.com

Get your LE today and let me know what you think.


Enjoy.

Nespresso Trieste and Napoli Limited Edition 2013

 

Another wonderful Nespresso Limited Edition release I got to taste today. The Limited Edition 2013 is an inspiration drawn from Italy's diverse coffee culture. The showcased is highlighted by the two coffee-centric and cultural cities of Trieste and Naples.

Trieste

With an intensity level 9, this delicate blend of Arabica beans from South America and East Africa offers a round texture, with fragrant chocolate and fresh hazelnut notes. A refreshingly fruity touch brings out an exceptional subtlety in this coffee which reveals its full intensity when  enjoyed in the Italian style - as a Ristretto (25ml shot).

Napoli

With an intensity rating of 11, Napoli is bold and assertive thanks to its syrupy body. Best savored as a Ristretto (25ml shot), this blend of Arabica from South America, Africa and Asia with hints of Robusta releases fine smoky notes. Its aromatic woodiness is lightly scented with nuance of dry black tea leaf.

The Art of Degustation

The Crem - Napoli has a darker crema than Trieste. This difference is due primarily to the fact that Napoli is roasted longer, but also due to the composition of the two coffees. Napoli Limited Edition is a blend of Robusta and very spicy Arabica beans, while Trieste Limited Edition is 100% Arabica.

The Aroma - The Napoli coffee releases the woody and smoky aromas typical of the beans subjected to a long roasting process. Trieste coffee, on the other hand, features an extremely rich aroma, with notes of chocolate and fresh hazelnut derived from Brazilian coffee beans and delicate beans from East Africa.

The Taste - In it after notes, Napoli is immediately recognized as a coffee with a strong personality. Trieste, on the other hand is more subtle and rounded. Napoli is slightly bitter but not acidic and offer a long finish. By contrast, the fruity hints added by the Colombian beans bring out an exceptional subtlety in Trieste.

The body - The Napoli coffee has a more syrupy body because of its long rioasting time and the origin of the bean. Trieste on the other hand, is a silkier coffee.

For more info visit Nespresso.com

Get your LE today and let me know what you think.


Enjoy.

Nespresso Variations 2012 - "New Flavors Open Up to You!"

Nespresso has released three new flavors for this years variation; The Coconut, Hazelnut & the Macadamia Nut. 

THE BLEND:

These new variations are combined with the Livanto Grand Cru to reveal the delicious notes of the three different nuts. With Intensity level 6, the Livanto offers a subtle fruity and malty profile that comes for a medium roast of Central & South American Arabicas.

THE VARIATIONS:

Coconut

"A perfect harmoney between the coconut notes and the Livanto Grand Cru creates a gourmand expereince reminiscent of coconut macaroons." This variation is particularly best served as Lattes as milk really goes well this is blend.

Hazelnut

"The combination of the slughtly roasted hazelnut notes with the Livanto Grand Cru reveals a praline flavors, giving it a fine balance in the mouth" This variation would go very well when served as Mocha as Chocolate and Hazelnut really go hand in hand.

Macadamia Nut

"This rich savors of the Macadamia nut combined with the roundness of the Livanto Grand Cru, develop a surprising freshness, revealing citrus notes." This variation is recommended to be served as Cappuccino as the smooth milk froth highlights the rich notes of the macadamia nut.

Visit Nespresso website for more information on the VARIATIONS 2012 & make sure you get yours before they run out! I will be experimenting with them on new recipes  if you have one you would like to share please do email me.

Enjoy!

Nespresso Variations 2012 - "New Flavors Open Up to You!"

Nespresso has released three new flavors for this years variation; The Coconut, Hazelnut & the Macadamia Nut. 

THE BLEND:

These new variations are combined with the Livanto Grand Cru to reveal the delicious notes of the three different nuts. With Intensity level 6, the Livanto offers a subtle fruity and malty profile that comes for a medium roast of Central & South American Arabicas.

THE VARIATIONS:

Coconut

"A perfect harmoney between the coconut notes and the Livanto Grand Cru creates a gourmand expereince reminiscent of coconut macaroons." This variation is particularly best served as Lattes as milk really goes well this is blend.

Hazelnut

"The combination of the slughtly roasted hazelnut notes with the Livanto Grand Cru reveals a praline flavors, giving it a fine balance in the mouth" This variation would go very well when served as Mocha as Chocolate and Hazelnut really go hand in hand.

Macadamia Nut

"This rich savors of the Macadamia nut combined with the roundness of the Livanto Grand Cru, develop a surprising freshness, revealing citrus notes." This variation is recommended to be served as Cappuccino as the smooth milk froth highlights the rich notes of the macadamia nut.

Visit Nespresso website for more information on the VARIATIONS 2012 & make sure you get yours before they run out! I will be experimenting with them on new recipes  if you have one you would like to share please do email me.

Enjoy!

COHIBA Piramides Extra - First Tasting & Review

Length: 16 cm
Ring Gauge: 54
Factory Name: Pirámides Extra
Vitola: Pirámides Extra
Type: Figurado
Presentation: Box of 10
Release Date: September 2012

During the 14th Habanos Festival last February 2012, COHIBA announced the introduction of the Piramides Extra as a new addition to the current Línea Clásica (or the Classic Line - which has the six Vitolas Siglo series (I-VI)) of the brand. In the past, the Figurado shape COHIBA were only produced for limited edition and celebratory cigars, but now it will be a permanent collection available similar to the BEHIKE and MADURO 5 collections.

Another new element to the COHIBA Brand is the innovative cigar band for the Piramides Extra with holographic logo similar to the BEHIKE bands and additional security measures to stay above counterfeiters. So now lets take a closer look shall we...

The Construction - A beautiful smooth Colorado Claro wrapper with almost unnoticeable small veins. Firm tight roll and a flawless Pyramid head and cap. When bringing the cigar close to your nose you can pick up some of that earthy scent and a recognizable cedar smell. The COHIBA Piramides Extra showcases a extravagant 54 gauge ring which packs in the extra long fillers for full on flavor! 

The Draw - Using a stainless steal 2-blade cutter, I clipped about 1cm off, a little short of the cap line, to test the draw and it was perfect, smooth and no obscurity. In the pre-lighting draw you can pick up the cedar wood flavor clearly.

The First Burn - Flavorsome smoke full of cedar notes and black pepper. The spiciness of the draw are very reminiscent of the Siglo VI and a leathery after taste of the smoke. 

The Middle Burn - Here is where I savored most of the COHIBA Piramides Extra characteristics. The Spicy pepper we got from the first burn is gone and we are left with a smooth sweet creamy smoke which also picks up some nutty cereal notes with it. When blowing the smoke out from the nose you get that fresh cut grass scent that is just sublime. The Piramides Extra continued to burn even and well without going out and the grayish ash was in tacked.

Even though this cigar has a wide gauge size the ash held up pretty good as you can tell from the picture below. Almost 1/3 of the way:

The Final Burn - Some bitterness started to come through as I neared the final parts of the Piramides Extra along with the spicy notes from the beginning. Smoke continued to be abundant and full of character - the cedar, the pepper and nutty all continued to flow through as well.

Overall - The COHIBA Piramides Extra was a joyful smoke and had many characteristics of the Siglo Series. Its a medium to full bodied cigar with many reflective characteristics of the brand and is truly a cigar to complete the Línea Clásica portfolio. Anyone who smokes Siglo VI I think will love this cigar.

I appreciate being one of the first people to sample this cigar in the region prior to its market release in the Middle East. 

The Pairing - As with all my reviews, I try to find the perfect espresso roast to accompany and complement these wonderful journeys I take with my cigars. My Nespresso pairing for the COHIBA Piramides Extra would have to be the Cosi. At Intensity level 3, it is light, sweet and has a fresh citrus notes to it that would complement the full bodied characteristics of this cigar. Have a try!

P.S. Since I have gotten a few email with regards to increase and put more photos in my post... Hope this sufficed! Awaiting feedback :)

Enjoy!