Coffeedom is a vast landscape, with every imaginable permutation of roast, origin, and flavor profile catering to the tastes of aficionados and casual drinkers alike. Today, I’d like to guide you through my experience with a particular Black Rifle Coffee Company offering – the Murdered Out blend. To say it’s been an intriguing journey would be an understatement.
Black Rifle Coffee’s Murdered Out Review
My rating process is thorough, meticulous, and designed to uncover the subtleties of each brew I encounter. I’m careful to maintain consistent brewing conditions and always make my purchases independently to ensure an unbiased experience. And thus, with a keen nose, taste buds ready for discovery, and a deep passion for the world of coffee, I embarked on my encounter with the Murdered Out blend.
1. True Roast: 4/5
Starting on a positive note, Murdered Out delivered well on the True Roast™ scale, scoring 4 out of 5. What does this mean? Essentially, the advertised darkness of the roast lived up to my actual tasting experience.
On opening the bag, I was greeted by a rich, smoky aroma that hinted at a heavily roasted coffee bean. As a fan of dark roasts, I was initially hopeful since the intense smell suggested a coffee that might deliver that robust punch typical of dark roasts.
2. Body: 2/5
However, when it came to the body of the coffee – a crucial aspect where the texture and ‘feel’ of the coffee comes into play – Murdered Out, unfortunately, didn’t live up to expectations. My score here is a 2 out of 5.
When I refer to the ‘body,’ I’m talking about the perceived weight and thickness of the coffee in your mouth. Dark roasts typically promise a thick, creamy, and full-bodied experience, but this blend failed to hit the mark. The coffee came off as rather thin and watery, a far cry from the velvety richness I was expecting.
3. Flavor: 2/5
The flavor, another vital component of the coffee experience, also left much to be desired. I’ve given Black Rifle’s Murdered Out a score of 2 out of 5 here. While the scent of the roast suggested a rich depth of flavors, the actual tasting was more of a letdown.
What I found was a very basic, singular flavor profile that lacked complexity and nuance. Sure, there was a mild woody note to it, but beyond that, it was quite bland. I longed for those layered, dark-roast flavors like caramel, chocolate, or perhaps a hint of spice. But alas, it was not to be.
4. Acidity: 4/5
On the acidity front, Murdered Out performed admirably, earning a score of 4 out of 5. The blend was indeed on the lower end of the acidity spectrum, as one would hope for in a dark roast. There was no discernible tanginess, and it was relatively smooth on the palate. If you have a sensitive stomach or simply prefer a less acidic coffee, this feature could be a positive for you.
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5. Aftertaste: 3/5
In terms of aftertaste, the experience was fairly average, with a score of 3 out of 5. The aftertaste, or finish, is that lingering flavor you experience after you’ve swallowed the coffee. While not unpleasant, the aftertaste of Murdered Out didn’t leave me reaching for more. It simply left a faint woody residue on my palate that was in line with the flavor I detected during the initial tasting.
6. Price to Quality Ratio: 1/5
My most significant disappointment with Murdered Out came with its price-to-quality ratio, which I scored a disappointing 1 out of 5. With a price tag of $1.50 per ounce, it falls in the higher end of the coffee price spectrum. The issue here is that a premium experience should justify a premium price, and in this case, it simply wasn’t.
Black Rifle Coffee’s Murdered Out Final Score: 2.7/5
Black Rifle Coffee’s Murdered Out blend proved to be a bit of a paradox. It nailed the dark roast’s low acidity and managed to accurately deliver on the promised roast level. But it fell short in critical areas such as body and flavor. The aftertaste was also rather unremarkable, and the price-to-quality ratio was sorely lacking.
All these factors contribute to an overall score of 2.7 out of 5. Given its less-than-impressive performance, I would hesitate to recommend it to coffee enthusiasts seeking a deep, full-bodied, and flavorful dark roast. However, if you prefer a low-acidity coffee with a more understated flavor profile, Murdered Out might just be the brew for you. In the grand scheme of things, the world of coffee is vast and nuanced. My advice? Keep exploring until you find your perfect cup.
