2101 L St NW
Washington, DC 20037

Yet another new joint in DC puts the “front double-biceps” pose back into coffee. Bourbon Coffee is a peculiar name, conjuring up images of a liquid-breakfast that usually lands one with a varicose-laced liver. Yet despite the name, and being a new addition to the seriously coffee place-d out DC downtown, Bourbon holds the distinction of actually being worth an out of the way visit for. A little background can be found here and admirably, Bourbon’s mission is an applaud-worthy helping hand to Rwandan coffee farmers.  The first thing that hits you is the lime green hotrod coloured Simonelli on the counter which colour-wise, branzenly contrasts everything else in the store. I’ve gotten used to the idea of never getting a ristretto in Washington so usually the coffee options on the menu are nothing new. Bourbon threw out something I had never had before – a “Caffe Cubano”. This option is a not your typical espresso shot as it has brown sugar added into the grinds before the shot is pulled – something I am told is more common in both Cuba and Puerto Rico.  The result was a sightly sweet, nicely balanced shot with dense crema and some yummy chocolately flavours. Of course I had to chase the shot with a Caffe Latte (which can also be done with a Cubano but I went with a regular espresso base this time) that was magnificent.  It was anchored with another great pull underlying some velvety textured milk, not bubble filled, frothy or flat as many DC coffee drinkers accept as a fact of life. Bourbon is set to blow many DC coffee places out of the water if this quality is anything to go by.

3 beans

Beans: Rwandan Farmers