Milano Coffee’s so-called Cognac espresso has earned a Gold Medal for Best Espresso at the seventh annual International Coffee Tasting Competition in Iiac, Taiwan.

With 26 coffee judges, the competition is held by the International Institute of Coffee Tasters, a non-profit association that aims to compile and disseminate scientific methods for sensory evaluation of coffee, with a focus on espresso.   

The win is the Vancouver master roaster’s seventh gold medal for Best Espresso, beating out as many as 115 coffees from 13 different countries.

The Cognac blend consists of nine rare micro-lot, single-origin, 100% Arabica coffees, with washed and natural beans. 

“Think chocolate-hazelnut gelato and fine cognac,” Turko says of the ultra-creamy espresso, noting that its bouquet resonates with complex fruits, florals, soft cacao, and vanilla.

Turko, an avid guitar player, and his wife, Linda, first opened up shop more than two decades ago; Milano now has three locations in Vancouver and a newly opened spot in Toronto. He says it can take up to 1,500 different combinations and 20,000 tastes over a period of years to masterfully balance and harmonize 100% Arabica bean blends.

“To create one intelligently balanced espresso blend, I’ll manipulate over a thousand different compositions of body, flavour, aroma and acidity--just as a musician works with notes, chords and hooks to create a song,” Turko says.