Sightglass Coffee is a family-owned roaster based in San Francisco. I have known this roaster by reputation for a while, but this is the first time I’ve ever gotten a chance to try their product. I picked up this bag from B2 Coffee at the same time that I picked up the Verve Guatemala Los Santos.
Whole beans: Honestly, I couldn’t smell anything. All I could smell was the paper bag the beans came in! However, once I ground the beans, they smelled like bing cherries.
I pulled these beans with a variety of parameters, but throughout, the beans displayed a bright, nutty flavor like lemon curd and cashews. Not my personal preference, but I was surprised by how well-balanced I found the shot, even though I don’t care for this flavor profile in espresso.
I tried this espresso in a 6 oz flat white, and the espresso flavor was overwhelmed and muted, even with just 4 oz or so of milk. I was surprised that the Owl’s Howl didn’t stand up better in a milk drink, considering its tart, bright flavor. However, maybe I am glad for that — the idea of lemony milk is not very appealing to me! If I had ordered this flat white while out and about, I would have considered it a little weak but plenty drinkable.
Brewed in the AeroPress, the Owl’s Howl was much smoother and darker tasting. I didn’t get any lemon flavor in this method; instead, I got brown sugar and a little almond, with a plasticky aftertaste.
Summary: My personal preference in espresso leans toward more chocolate/caramel flavors, but if you like fruity, nutty espresso, this is a nice blend. It lost its personality in a small amount of milk, so I don’t think it’s the best choice for people that like strong coffee flavor in their milk drinks.
From the roaster: Composed of seasonally rotating coffees, this blend displays a deep, honey-like body, with notes of ripe berry, chocolate-covered cherry, and sweet candied lemon.
New design looks great, Margaret!
I found the Owl’s Howl just too lemony for my tastebuds. It was also way too hard to dial in the right grind…I felt like I kept waiting for something that never came.
Having said that, I thought it was quite nice with the AeroPress.