John Small
Seoul
4.64(14)
Renowned South Korean microroaster with cult following in specialty coffee circles
Show moreJohn Small is a coffee roaster from Seoul, South Korea. We have 10 cataloged roasts with 14 total reviews with a score of 4.64.
| Name | Roast Level | Bean Source |
|---|---|---|
|
5.00(2) |
Light | Ethiopia |
|
4.75(2) |
Light | Ethiopia |
|
5.00(1) |
Light | Ethiopia |
| Light | Ethiopia | |
|
4.50(2) |
Light | Panama |
|
4.50(2) |
- | Panama |
|
4.50(1) |
- | Ethiopia |
|
4.50(1) |
Light | Ethiopia |
|
4.00(2) |
Light | Kenya |
Top Reviews(14)
-
Theo Chan, Managing Editor1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
4.50 - Finish
5.00 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
Berg Wu
Berg Wu is a Taiwanese barista of some renown, and John Small is a Korean roaster with a borderline cult following. So was excited to try this lot and it does not disappoint.
It has a big stone fruit note, juicely ripe peach. There's a hint of Ocean Spray cranberry juice, the sweet kind a lot of us in New England drank as kids. It's very floral in a balanced way, a little lavender, a little jasmine, and little bergamot. It has a very smooth mouthfeel. An outstanding lot roasted perfectly.Cupping Method:I got this from Airworks as a small sample size, 20g so had just one crack at it. Made it 199F, 18:1 with Hario v60.
-
-
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
5.00 - Aroma
4.00 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
The natural Keramos are popping this year (this is my 4th, I think). This one from John Small, a Korean microroaster is really well done. It has a very appealing aroma with a touch of peach lemonade, and that's a good preview. For an Ethiopian natural, this has a rich mouthfeel and a lot of natural sweetness while being true to expectations. There's a nice balance here of peach, a little lemon, and jasmine tea. The finish is is clean and simple.Cupping Method:199F v60, 18:1 (a little hotter than usual.
I got this as a 20g sampler from Airworks and am drinking it about six weeks from roast date. It's had a long journey but still drinking outstanding!
-
-
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
4.50 - Finish
5.00 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
This Anarobic Natural Ethiopian is exceptionally clean, combing traditional Ethiopian stone fruit notes and tea with some blackcurrant and funk . Hints of delicate white flowers give way to deeper tones of ripe peach blackcurrant and red grape. A truly well-balanced and enjoyable cup!Cupping Method:93C, 17:1 on v60 worked well. I got this coffee from Bean Archives.
-
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
3.50 - Aroma
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
Very clean with a silky mouthfeel. Black tea, a slight hint of bergamot but more subtle than in Ethiopian. Maybe it has a touch of jasmine. A subtle but bright satsuma / clementine mid-palate and a very clean finish. A lovely cup.Cupping Method:I ordered this from Airworks. I made it with v60, 196F, 18:1.
-
Victoria S-C830 roasts rated, avg score of 4.34
4.50 - Average
Very good. So special to try a coffee from Korea! -
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
3.50 - Aroma
4.00 - Finish
4.00 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
I realize that I never got my notes for this roast in. I've seen a number of Nensebo coffees rank highly or raved about, so was excited to try this one.
The best attribute here is the mouthfeel, which is super smooth and borderline chuggable. It has a honeyed sweetness and a subtle peachiness. I think it has a very slight jasmine floral, but pronounced as other Ethiopians. I think this fits pretty well with what I've been seeing from the other John Smalls. It's a very carefully treated coffee where the mouth feel is quite evolved.Cupping Method:197F, 18:1 Hario v60. just had 20 g from an Airworks dime bag.
-
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
Very balanced and super smooth roast characteristic of washed Panamian geshas. There's a lovely honeysuckle/bergamot floarity, and an nice cranberry/orange acidity. It's a well-structured gesha with pleasant natural sweetness.Cupping Method:I got this from Airworks Coffee (8 different coffees from John Small, 20g). Made it 18:1, 197F in the v60.
-
Ho Chi Minh City
Canberra
Bangkok
Dundalk
Shanghai
