JonR10 Said:

Of those who seem to be "dissing" the Black Cat, who has tried it recently?  

I know that they experimented with the Cat a while back...but it seems to me that the last couple of times I ordered it they were right on the money with a blend that was very close to the original I knew and loved.  Perhaps it was a response to the online commentary we all made.  

I feel like a large part of why we don't hear about BC in every thread anymore is that there are a slew of new artisan espresso roasters and blends on the market now, following in the wake of the Intelly guys and riding the third wave.  Years ago we had only dreamed that such great coffee could be available from so many roasters in so many variations of SO's and blends.  Now it is the reality. It has become commonplace.

Just a few years ago, Black Cat was one of the very few espresso blends out there that was artisan composed and roasted fresh to order, with consistently high quality.  In my humble opinion, that is why it was the "standard" and everyone was talking about it.  Now we have a whole long list of favorite roasters.  

Here's a suggestion: visit the Intelly site and order some espresso coffees.  I feel like Black Cat Classic is very close to how I remember it from years ago, and now they also offer a few other variations as well as the seasonal SO's.  Intelly still rocks out loud in a big way, but now they aren't the only ones out there.  Now our focus has widened and they no longer stand out as a singularity.  It is a good thing, if you ask me....

But it doesn't mean that Intelly has become less than they were.  In fact, I think they have evolved and improved.  
Again, just my opinion, but I feel that they are still one of the great USA roast houses.

Posted March 10, 2013 link