Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend

The verdict

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso and Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend score the same, 8.0 out of 10, so the choice is what each is better at rather than which is better.

Who each one suits

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

How they score, criterion by criterion

Both are scored the same way against the rest of their category, from what their makers publish. The weight is how much each criterion moves the total. How the score works

CriterionWeightIntelligentsia Black Cat Classic EspressoIntelligentsia El Diablo Blend
Freshness & Roast Date Transparency20%10.010.0
Sourcing Transparency & Ethics16%5.75.7
Value Per Kilo14%8.88.8
Packaging & Freshness Retention10%8.08.0

What each one costs

Price$17.50$17.50
Cost per kg
The figure that decides what the choice costs over a year, not on the day.
$42.55/kg$42.55/kg

Where they differ

Every specification the two makers publish differently. Everything they match on is in the full table below.

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic EspressoIntelligentsia El Diablo Blend
What sets it apartBrazil and Costa Rica together, the espresso Intelligentsia has built its bar programme onA Guatemalan-led blend at medium-dark, the darkest of Intelligentsia's named blends
Brew MethodsEspressoAutomatic Drip
OriginBrazilHonduras
Roast LevelMediumMedium-dark
Roast ProfileComfortingTraditional
Tasting NotesCherry, cola, orangeDark chocolate, cherry, raisin

Pros and cons

From each full review, written from the same published facts as the scores above.

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
  • +In continuous production since 1995 and a reference point in American specialty espresso.
  • +The lightest espresso in the range, so it keeps fruit acidity most espresso blends roast away.
  • +Roast profile, flavour profile, origins and trade terms all published as structured facts.
  • +The 5 lb bag saves about seventeen percent per gram, a real discount by this site's standards.
  • −A light espresso is unforgiving on a home machine with a grinder that cannot be dialled finely.
  • −Only two sizes, and the larger one is 2.27 kg, which is a lot of coffee to keep fresh.
  • −About $42.55 a kilo, above Cooper's Cask at $33 and well above supermarket specialty.
Full Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso review →
Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend
  • +A dark roast priced level with the medium blends rather than discounted below them.
  • +Single country of origin behind a dark blend, which is more coherent than most.
  • +The only dark filter blend in the range, so it fills a real gap on the menu.
  • +Roast profile, flavour profile and origin all published as structured tags.
  • −Dark roasting narrows what any coffee can show, whatever the roaster intends.
  • −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.
Full Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend review →

Every specification, side by side

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic EspressoIntelligentsia El Diablo Blend
Price
Price$17.50$17.50
Who it suits
Best forpeople who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roasterpeople who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
What sets it apartBrazil and Costa Rica together, the espresso Intelligentsia has built its bar programme onA Guatemalan-led blend at medium-dark, the darkest of Intelligentsia's named blends
Specifications
Bag Sizes340 g (12 oz)340 g (12 oz)
Brew MethodsEspressoAutomatic Drip
CertificationsNone claimed by the makerNone claimed by the maker
Decaf in the range✕✕
Direct Trade✓✓
Farm or Cooperative Named✕✕
FlavouredNot flavouredNot flavoured
OriginBrazilHonduras
Price per kg42.55 USD42.55 USD
Roast Date Printed✓✓
Roast LevelMediumMedium-dark
Roast ProfileComfortingTraditional
Roaster CountryUnited StatesUnited States
Roaster Country CodeUSUS
Roaster NamedIntelligentsia CoffeeIntelligentsia Coffee
SeasonalYear roundYear round
Ships toUS, worldwideUS, worldwide
Ships to NoteShips internationally as well as within the US. The roaster does not publish a country list, and import duties fall to the buyer.Ships internationally as well as within the US. The roaster does not publish a country list, and import duties fall to the buyer.
Origin structureBlendBlend
Subscription Available✓✓
Tasting NotesCherry, cola, orangeDark chocolate, cherry, raisin
Whole Bean or GroundWhole bean, GroundWhole bean, Ground

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend: common questions

Which is better, Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso or Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend?

Both score 8.0 out of 10 on the specifications their makers publish, so neither is ahead overall. Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso leads on nothing scored.

Is Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso or Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend cheaper?

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso starts at $17.50, and Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend at $17.50. Per kg they work out at $42.55/kg and $42.55/kg.

Who is Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso for?

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

Who is Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend for?

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

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