The following Gundog Grind review was completed by Big Sky Pedro, one of our resident coffee reviewers here at Best Quality Coffee. Gundog Grind sent us their coffee in exchange for an honest and authentic review of their beans.
Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to sample many fine brews. The experience has really enhanced the pleasure I take in my everyday cup (or 2 – 3 cups) of coffee. I would consider myself an amateur aficionado of fine beans, roasts and grinds. At least one of my close friends calls me a full-blown coffee snob. Regardless of where I may fall on the coffee snob spectrum, I can certainly taste quality and expertise so why not invest a little time into finding those coffee companies that strive for excellence?
Enter Gundog Grind.
Perhaps intrinsic to making great coffee company is also having a solid focus on purpose. Perhaps when I can see a company has a commendable business model, I enjoy their quality coffee a bit more. Perhaps I knew I would love the offerings from Gundog Grind before I even tried them because I am fond of upland bird hunting and really appreciate how Gundog Grind supports the sport and wildlife.
Here’s the nitty-gritty on Gundog Grind. A group of guys who share a passion for gun dogs, bird hunting and quality coffee founded Gundog Grind in an effort to give back to their sport. They call it a “passion-fueled lifestyle” and speaking from my own personal experiences, I would certainly agree. Those who own or raise gundogs invest a whole lot into their working pets. And that investment generally produces a foundation for many relationships and experiences gundog owners thrive upon. Additionally, Gundog Grind aims to perpetuate the sport through donations that support wildlife and upland hunting grounds.
I knew I was gonna love this coffee before I even tasted it.
Setting aside my obvious bias, I made it a point to honestly evaluate Gundog Grind the way I do all coffees. I sampled one of their whole bean dark roasts and a few varieties of their ground flavored coffee.
Gundog Grind Review: Packaging
First thing I noticed was packaging. This whole bean dark roast, aptly named English Pointer, portrayed a really elegant pencil drawn portrait of that fine upland breed. Gundog Grind labels all of their whole beans in similar fashion. Offering a unique depiction of the bird or dog to which the roast is named after. My favorite picture is the Conservation Roast.
As a huge bonus, customers can choose their preferred label when they purchase the coffee.
Gundog Grind sources a blend of beans from South America and Indonesia which are then roasted in small-batch quantities.
This specific dark roast I tasted was excellent.
With my preferred medium-fine grind, I brewed a robust cup that tasted of malts and dark chocolate. Substantial and full-bodied in the mouth, but smooth sip after sip.
This blend is a great start-your-day coffee for all its boldness.
I also tasted a variety of Gundog Grind’s ground, flavored coffee with my favorite being the Pointer’s Roast caramel Kahlua. No too sweet, but a real treat nonetheless.
It's worth noting that customers can choose their roast level. Each
With their line of flavored coffee, Gundog Grind delivers a very well-balanced brew. It seems to be the product of a quality roasting process combined with an effective flavoring process as well. With some coffees, there can be a competition between the roast flavors and the actual flavoring. But with this brew, everything was balanced. The added flavors were enjoyable but still slight and subtle. They complemented the roast flavor we well. Neither aspect overpowered the other and I really enjoyed every cup.
Bonus Article: How is Flavored Coffee Made?
If you prefer drinking quality gourmet coffee to an average cup of Joe, Gundog Grind is definitely something you need to check out, gundog owner or not. I just love the innovation of what this company is offering. I love the concept of overlapping passions. It seems to put purpose in perspective with product. As soon as I finish here, I plan to order a bag of Chuker Chaser’s medium roast (knowing half the profits go to that great conservation group). I might just add another bag of caramel Kahlua and choose the pencil drawing of a German Shorthair Pointer, simply because I can.
Thanks Gundog Grind!
Note: If you've had a chance to try out this coffee and would like to share your Gundog Grind review, please share your thoughts with the rest the coffee community in the comments below.
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