I’ve been dragging my heals on this review for a while now.  I don’t know if it’s a lack of Christmas spirit that has prevented me from reviewing this holiday seasonal, or if the simple fact that my day job boss, and my full-time wife (with her never ending stream of home renovation projects) have simple kept me away from the keyboard.  Either way, I’m back with a review of Coffee People’s Santa’s Buzz (samples provided by my friends at Shoffee.com).

I took a little extra time doing some comparisons with Santa’s Buzz.  It’s not that I don’t like Coffee People (quite the opposite actually), but let’s just say I don’t always trust them.  After the clever stunt they pulled during the last Presidential election (repackaging Donut Shop Coffee as both Obama and McCain blends), I keep a guarded eye (and tongue for that matter) for any sort of Coffee People relabeling shenanigans.   I’m happy to report that Santa’s Buzz is most definitely not Donut Shop Coffee (of course, it could be one of their other blends – so they could still be shenanigating/shenanigatizing me), but whatever it is, it’s still pretty darn good.

The Aroma

I’m trying hard here to find something meaningful to say about the aroma.  Sorry…I’ve got nothing.  It’s smells plenty fine – good actually, but at the end of the day (or brewing cycle anyway), it just smells like coffee.  Santa’s Buzz isn’t what I’d call an aromatic standout, but it’s far from putrid either.

The Description

A jolly blend of outstanding world coffees – smooth and bold to keep you buzzing all season long. Keep out with cookies for Santa Claus!

While I might question that wisdom of setting out a cup of coffee for Santa knowing that it invariably will get cold by the time he arrives, it doesn’t make any less sense that leaving out a glass of milk which will invariably be warm by the time he arrives. My suggestion: leave Santa a K-Cup and instructions for using your Keurig Brewer (in case he doesn’t have one at home). It might also be helpful to let him know where the cream and sugar are. You might also want to have some fat free half and half and Splenda in the house as well. Give Santa some options…that’s really all I’m saying

Drinking It Black

Before really savoring the flavor, I had to make sure Santa’s Buzz isn’t Donut Shop.  It’s not.  If you’re interested in a head to head comparison, my take is that Santa’s Buzz is a little bolder, perhaps a bit more spicy, and definitely not as sweet.

As with the aroma, there isn’t a whole lot that ultimately stands out about a cup of Santa’s Buzz.  I use the word balanced when I don’t taste an abundance of chocolate, or fruit, or spice, or anything else.  Santa’s Buzz is very much balanced.  Like Santa himself, it’s an even-tempered brew.  What I really like is the total lack of bitterness or unpleasant flavor on the tongue or in the back of the throat.

With Cream and Sugar

Some disclosure about my sugar tasting; like Santa himself, I could stand to lose a few pounds myself these days, so I’ve cut back a little bit on the sugar, so light and sweet isn’t as sweet as it used to be.  That said I like the rich, darker-than-donut flavor.  As I said whilst drinking it black, it’s not as sweet as Donut Shop, but what you do get is something with a little more bite.

With the cream and sugar added, I’m feeling a lot of dark chocolate and caramel here.  Of course, that could just be the leftover Halloween candy talking.  Whatever it is, it’s now espresso-like without a trace of bitterness.

Final Thoughts

I’m not going to lie to you here.  Santa’s Buzz is not my favorite of the Holiday Seasonal.  Having tried Santa’s Buzz, Gloria Jean’s Holiday Traditions, and Green Mountain’s Fair Trade Holiday Blend, I’m solidly in the Green Mountain camp.  Of course, I’m an East Coast guy, and Green Mountain is an East Coast company, so my taste buds might be biased.  Still, I’d highly recommend giving Santa’s Buzz a try.  Whether you’re looking for a hint of holiday flavor, or just looking to mix something new into your K-Cup rotation, Santa’s Buzz is definitely worthy of a few cycles of your Keurig Brewer.

Shameless Plug

This installment of The K-Cup Challenge is sponsored by Shoffee.com – The Web’s Favorite Coffee Shop.  You will find just about everything you could ever want to put in your Keurig Brewer (including Santa’s Buzz) at Shoffee – and you’ll find it at the right price too.  You should also check out Shoffee on Facebook.  On Shoffee’s fan page you’ll find K-Cup news, special deals, and you’ll learn what the other 1200+ Shoffee fans are drinking and loving.

While you’re here, check out all of the reviews in Qwowi Coffee’s K-Cup Challenge.