Seattle's Best CoffeeSignature Blend No. 5 Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 12-Ounce Bag

The SBC Post Alley is my favorite "reasonably priced" blend and I can buy it basically everywhere cheap as a ground coffee, the problem is that I really, really prefer to grind my own both for fineness since I do a pour over and for freshness. I was so happy to see that Amazon finally started carrying this as whole bean direct that I jumped on them and immediately bought 4. If you like your roast dark and smokey without any sourness, this could be your happy place. The closest other option I can find is the TJ's Bay Blend which isn't as smokey but similar in richness and lack of sour bite. I love this coffee and will be hoping it stays in Amazon's rotation permanently as a whole bean coffee.I should add that this is a dark, smokey blend with a bitter cast but no "sour" taste (which is what bothers me about lighter roasts). I've had mellower darks and super darks but I've fallen in love with the smoke in this for some reason. The price doesn't hurt either. That said, I do a pour over on an extra fine grind and use a valve to go for longer extraction, so my tastes may be suspect to traditionalists. If you're sensitive to bitter, be prepared (it's not super bitter but it's there), don't like smoke in your coffee, or like "bright" flavors, move on. If you like dark, strong coffee that's not sour at all and don't mind a bit of bitter and plenty of smoke, you've found a good inexpensive option.

I like to grind the beans to make espresso shots.This pack of beans smells fine as beans but once I grind them, I get a distinctive fishy smell which put me off. So I thought the smell would carry over to the extracted espresso shot, but to my surprise, the smell disappears when turned into shots.So overall, I'm happy drinking it.I probably won't buy this again just because of that smell when ground.

My go to roast. Wish I could find whole bean but such is life.

I was introduced to coffee beans in Autumn of 2014. It is the only way I make coffee now. I ask myself before choosing which bean I grind "Do I want to have coffee or do I want my coffee to have me!" If I decide on the latter then this is the one I choose! It says it is dark on the package and that is called "Truth in Advertising!" I love it!

Seattle's Best coffee first captured my tastebuds when I visited Oregon about 15 years ago. I was delighted to find robust, freshly brewed coffee on every corner in Portland. Seattle's Best was the bean I liked and was delighted to find it in my local grocery store. Lately, the local store has been out of it and discontinuing many items. Amazon filled the void and the deliveries are reliable, fresh and a welcome arrival.The level 5 is strong and until recently, I drank my coffee strong. There is a level 3 bean that mixes well to produce a milder coffee. Once you get the taste for freshly ground beans, Seattle's Best has great options for a very reasonable price.