Nerd Fuel: Dunkin’ – Signature Series: Select Balanced

A lot of my coffee reviews focus on special seasonal varieties or off-the-wall flavors. But sometimes it is nice to just sit down with a simple blend and enjoy the coffee for its natural flavor. That’s why when I found this Dunkin’ “Signature Series” box sitting on my grocery store shelf, I knew I had to grab it.

One of my earliest coffee reviews was Dunkin’s Original Blend, and it has been one of my go-to coffees ever since. Naturally, I was intrigued to see they had a new “signature” designation. After doing a little research, I learned there are currently two varieties under this new Signature Series label;  Select Balance (which I’m trying today) and Select Bold. So without further ado, let’s jump in.

Select Balance is a medium roast that’s advertised as a flavorful, delicious blend. The aroma of this coffee during brew wasn’t particularly powerful or striking. It has the typical “house blend” scent that many blended coffees have, but a bit lighter than I expected.

The coffee is silky and smooth. It’s a nice middle-of-the-road blend with a hint of spice and a fruity finish. The quality of the coffee itself is obvious. But if I’m being honest, it’s not all that different from many other house blend coffees I’ve tried. It’s a little lighter and spicier than their Original Blend. There’s not a big difference between the two. But the Select Balanced blend is definitely absent of any of the “cardboard” taste that is prevalent in many donut shop-style coffees.

All in all, this is a very solid and enjoyable cup of coffee. It’s doesn’t really have any qualities that stand out in a crowd, but it’s an excellent brew that’s perfect for your morning cup.

Score: 4 out of 4

Would Buy Again?:  Yes. This is a tasty, complex blend that should appeal to almost any coffee drinker.