Illy Espresso Medium Roast Coffee

Illy Espresso Medium Roast CoffeeWe've been putting off this one for some time on the grounds of cost. How can anyone justify £6.13 for a standard pack of coffee? It would have to be phenomenally good. Errrr - it is. From the moment you hold the sturdy tin with its brushed aluminum lid in your hand, you know it's gonna be good. The lid unscrews with an engineering precision - this is not just any old Ikea storage jar. Inside, the coffee is again sealed with a ring pull membrane, which opens with a satisfying rush of air. As far as coffee packs go - this is as good as it gets. We've done two cups today and both are packed full of flavour and somehow feel fresh. Like the coffee is straight out of the roaster. There is definitely a hint of the "floral note" they claim on the tin - maybe slightly citrus even. The grind is very fine - which means some care is needed to press it down slowly, otherwise you could end of with a mouthful of grinds. All in all - it can't be faulted. But sorry - it cant get a 10 score - at over six quid a tin it's just crazy money. It's more of a gift package than an every-dayer. Come on Illy - make us one in a standard vacuum pack for half the price and we'll be on it everyday. Until then it's a 9/10 from this Judge.

What the Manufacturer's say: 

"for a smooth, balanced flavor enhanced by aromatic notes of caramel and chocolate with a light flowery topnote."

Where you can buy it: 

Tags: 
Illy
Strength 3

8.80556
Average: 8.8 (36 votes)
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Your rating: None

Comments

Judge Hank's picture

Submitted by Judge Hank on 19/9/11.
Well, this Illy brand came recommended and is one of two blends this company produces. Delving into the company leads me to believe they specialise in one bean and they chose it cause it's the best!. This could be interpreted, by me, the cynic, as the ultimate act of laziness on behalf of coffee drinkers. So they whack a £6 price tag on a swanky tin and tell me it's the only coffee worth drinking. Considering we already have some 9* rated coffees this was going to have to compete with the best of them and be something more. When you open the pack there is a WHOOSH of air that breezes past your hand as you pull the lid off. As satisfying as that is it's not enough to make me want to pay double. 6 spoons and 3.5 minutes later it's there. I can tell you this sucker was difficult to plunge and the beans are ground to fine, not my usual coarse. None the less very little powder has sneaked past the cool Taylors cafetiere in use. It's done, the flavour was excellent and has left no sinister after effects. I feel sad now it's over. A very moorish coffee with a fantastic aroma (smell) and plenty of kick to boot. I'm almost singing that we have a contender, take a peak at the fiery volcano pack of the lava java, remember I picked 2 packets up for a fiver and well.... decided there and then that Illy have pulled out all the punches with this one, not only have they found a good bean they've proper tonsed up the coffee experience, and then charged me for it so 9/10 for being awesome. At the price at £4.50 it's a 10/10 however it's £6+. A fine coffee and if you want to show off a little and at the same still drink a fine coffee this is your choice.

Submitted by cougheee on 19/9/11.
Distinctive flavours, none of which I can really mention without using a whole host of banned buzz words so I shall settle for ‘tasty’, perhaps even very tasty. A pretty average strength coffee though more flavours come through other than the usual ‘bitter’. I’ve had two cups of this today, both put a smile on my face and considering today is a Monday this means that this coffee is already on an 8 of 10 before I even start thinking about it’s more in depth attributes. The general consensus appears to be that the price of this coffee means that it doesn’t deserve a 10/10 – however, I didn’t buy it so no such worries for me. It’s gonna stay at a 9 though, doesn’t quite hit the same high notes as a Java...

Submitted by Coffeesnob (not verified) on 30/4/12.
Illy is to coffee what Grey Goose is to vodka, massively overpriced for a run of the mill product. My in-laws are Ukrainians and Russians, they know vodka. I took a tin of Illy for my mother-in-law last year, she tried it and muttered something under her breath which made my wife burst out laughing. I asked my wife what her mum had said, she said 'what is this sh*te you brought me'? I replied, I only bought it for the container, here is a packet of Lavazza Rosso to put in it when the Illy is finished. She put the Illy in the bin, nuff said.

Submitted by adrianmusson on 19/10/14.
It certainly isn't the cheapest coffee around but makes a consistently good not-bitter full-of-flavour cup. I enjoy many other coffees but am happy to pay for the occasional tin of medium roast illy just to know that I can reliably enjoy every cup.