The pros: Trader Joe's Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee is new, flavored, and yes, tastes like Bourbon. It smells like bourbon, tastes like bourbon (minus the alcohol) and is a unique coffee flavor.
The cons: This is relatively expensive coffee. If you don't enjoy flavored coffee the please steer clear of this one.
The verdict: Trader Joe's has been putting out a lot of small lot coffees that I've been picking up on a regular basis, just to give them a try. All of them have been unflavored coffees. This is nothing less than a flavored coffee. If you go into it thinking that it will only slightly taste of bourbon you are very wrong. If you don't like flavored coffees, then this might not be the right product for you.
While it may not look it on the outside, this package is almost 2 ounces smaller than most of the small lot varieties. When opened the smell of smokey bourbon hits you far quicker than the smell of coffee. This is assertive in smokiness and is on the bitter side. I don't normally add sugar to my coffee, but I enjoyed it more with sugar. Yes, this does taste like every other medium coffee Trader Joe's might have, but you can't distinguish any notes beyond some bitterness. It's the bourbon flavor that comes through over everything else.
This is priced at $9.99 for a 10 ounce package. It appears to be a seasonal or limited run item. It's really perfect for those people who love the smoky, woodsy, and slightly butterscotchy flavor of bourbon. If you are no fan of flavored coffee, then just be aware this is clearly flavored. I can't say I've had anything quite like it other than perhaps an Irish Coffee (sans the alcohol in the case of these beans). My husband took to this more than I did. While we both liked it, we did not love it.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The can of Trader Joe's Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee:
How Trader Joe's describes this coffee
How to prepare:
Out of the package you get:
Would I buy this again? No, I would not buy Trader Joe's Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee again. I liked some flavored coffees, but I wasn't wild about it. I did not hate it. My husband is more of a bourbon fan and he liked it but did not love it. It might be worth a try for some people who love their bourbon.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
al ginsburg, high on a hill in SF says
love the coffee as a 20% part of my home dark roast blends,
but what spoils it is TJ's stubborn insistence (at least by their CS folks)
that it IS NOT FLAVORED (as with propylene glycol, glycerine, diglycerides, etc.
used to infuse the beans).......OF COURSE IT IS, as you have intelligently
concluded as well......it's not labeled as such, and the CS foks are
telling untruths......TJ's doesn't have to do this and SHOULDN'T!!
Use of infusion chemicals, even in tiny amounts has easily MEASUREABLE
effects upon a person's TRIGLYCERIDES......important to some folks......
so as a once in awhile treat, GO FOR IT, but as a regular consumption
habit......best to SMARTEN UP, and alas beware of even TJ's!!
becomebetty says
Hey al ginsburg! Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm not sure about your TJs, but mine no longer sells this item. I think it was seasonal offering. I'd absolutely recommend reaching out to them about your concern, although it sounds like you have in the past. You can do so here: https://www.traderjoes.com/contact-us/product-feedback
Again, thanks for sharing this important detail. I post pretty much everything on the package so people who have these types of concerns can make the best possible decision before buying a product. Your thoughts, experiences, and opinions are always welcome here.