Nerd Fuel: Bones Coffee – Highland Grog
In the last few weeks it seems that Facebook has finally figured out what makes me tick when it comes to targeted ads. For the longest time it seemed like everything they were serving up was from way out in left field. Then all of a sudden something clicked and now I’m flooded with ads for gaming dice, Japanese candy boxes, and yes… coffee. Most recently I saw an ad for Bones Coffee, a Florida based company that boasts some pretty outrageous flavors. Needless to say, I took the bait.
As interested as I might be in something as wild as a Fruity Pebble flavored brew, I decided to start off pretty tame for my first round with this company. When trying out a new brand, I don’t mind beginning with a flavored coffee, but I like to pick something mild enough so that I can still taste the quality of the coffee beans themselves. So, for my first foray into Bones Coffee’s offerings, I went with something they call Highland Grog.
This coffee is advertised as having a spiced rum flavor with a subtle butterscotch and caramel finish. All of these are flavors that appeal to me, so I was eager to give it a try. This company sells their coffees in whole bean, ground or even K-Cups. Lately, I’ve been reviewing ground coffees but since I knew I’d likely want to share this with friends and family, I went with the K-Cup option.
The coffee itself is a medium roast, but it brews up with a pretty dark color. The aroma during brew is surprisingly mild, but it smells delicious. The rum and butterscotch are very dominant in both the scent and taste of this coffee. Upon first sip I was happy to discover that unlike many flavored coffees these days, the taste was not at all artificial. The rum is very much front-and-center and tastes quite a bit like actual rum – bite and all. The butterscotch is subtle, but noticeable. The caramel flavor is there, but it was hidden until my mug started to cool a bit. At that point it began to show itself. (With that in mind, this would make an AMAZING iced coffee.)
If I’m being honest, I really didn’t expect much when I placed this order. There’s so many fly-by-night companies online these days, and most of them make a pretty big social media push. To say I was skeptical is an understatement. But I’m happy to announce I was very impressed with this coffee. For me, Highland Grog is a winner. I think it’s better suited for crisp autumn mornings than for spring. But that doesn’t take away from its quality. I ordered two different varieties of coffee from Bones and I’m looking forward to opening the next box.
Score: 4 out of 4
Would buy again?: Yes. This a rich, flavorful brew. Perfect for late nights or cool-weather mornings – but suitable anytime. The flavors taste natural, but they overpower the coffee itself. This coffee comes at a premium cost, but in my opinion, it’s well worth the price.
