How to Judge Canadian Coffee of the Year
Your complete playbook for tasting, evaluating, and ranking submissions. About 60 minutes, no clipboards required.
Thanks for Judging
Thank you for participating in a consumer-judged specialty coffee competition. Your thoughtful feedback will help recognize exceptional Canadian roasters and provide meaningful insights back to the specialty coffee community.
Time commitment: about 60 minutes for one tasting session.
What you'll receive
- 6 blind-labeled coffees (40g each)
- Cup labels and coasters for organizing your tasting
- A link to your online evaluation form
All coffees are shipped fresh and arrive anonymously — Stillwater knows which is which, but you won't.
Before You Begin
Equipment you'll need
- Your preferred brewing method (see acceptable list below)
- Kettle for boiling water (if your brew method needs it)
- Grinder (use your normal grind setting)
- 6 cups or mugs for tasting
- Pen or pencil for notes
- Timer
- Water: distilled (best), bottled (good), or filtered tap (acceptable)
Acceptable brewing methods
✅ Pour-over (V60, Chemex, Kalita, Hario Switch)
✅ Immersion (AeroPress, Clever Dripper)
✅ Espresso
❌ Drip coffee makers, percolators, pod machines, cold brew
If you're judging the Classic & Chocolatey category, French Press is also acceptable.
Roaster-provided brew guides
Each coffee ships with recommended parameters for pour-over, espresso, and AeroPress. These are optional — use them or your normal approach. Just be consistent across all six coffees.
Setting Up Your Session
Environment
- Pick a time when you're not rushed or stressed
- Morning is ideal — your palate is freshest
- A quiet space where you can focus
- 50–60 minutes of uninterrupted time
Important rules
- Black coffee only — no milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners
- Use the same brewing method for all six coffees
- Use the same water temperature (re-boil between brews)
- If brewing espresso: pull a blank shot before each coffee
The Brewing & Tasting Process
You'll complete this session in two batches of three coffees each.
Batch 1: Coffees A, B, C
1. Set up. Place labels for A, B, C. Grind as needed. Boil water.
2. Brew all three. Brew A, re-boil, brew B, re-boil, brew C. About 12 minutes.
3. Let them rest. Wait 3–5 minutes after brewing C. Warm but not scalding.
4. Taste and evaluate. Taste A, B, C in order. Rate each. About 10 minutes.
Short break
Stretch, clear your head (2–3 minutes).
Batch 2: Coffees D, E, F
Same process. Total ~25 minutes.
How to Evaluate Each Coffee
You'll rate five aspects of each coffee on a 1–5 scale. These ratings are for roaster feedback only — they don't determine winners. Your Top 3 ranking is what counts for scoring.
How to taste each coffee
- Smell it first (aroma)
- Take a sip — let it coat your mouth
- Swallow and notice the aftertaste
- Take 2–3 more sips to form your impression
- Complete the ratings while it's fresh in your mind
Drink water between coffees to cleanse your palate.
The 1–5 scale
Aroma — how does it smell? 1 = unpleasant · 3 = pleasant, neutral · 5 = incredible, inviting
Flavor — is it interesting? 1 = unpleasant or harsh · 3 = pleasant, straightforward · 5 = complex, delicious, memorable
Acidity — how bright or lively? 1 = flat, dull · 3 = balanced · 5 = vibrant, zippy
Balance — do flavors work together? 1 = clashes · 3 = decent · 5 = everything works beautifully
Aftertaste — how does it linger? 1 = unpleasant or disappears · 3 = pleasant, neutral · 5 = long, pleasant
Notes (optional but encouraged) — what did you notice? "fruity," "too bitter," "smooth," "chocolate notes," etc.
Your Final Ranking
After tasting all six coffees and reviewing your notes, rank your Top 3 favorites. This ranking determines the winners.
| Rank | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st choice | 5 |
| 2nd choice | 3 |
| 3rd choice | 1 |
| 4th – 6th | 0 |
Points from every judge are aggregated. The coffee with the highest average score per category wins.
How to Win at Judging
- Trust your palate — there are no wrong answers.
- Take your time — don't rush through the coffees.
- Write notes immediately — flavors fade fast.
- Be honest — your real opinion, not what you think we want.
- Take notes during tasting — you'll use them to decide your ranking.
If Something Goes Wrong
Coffee spilled or spoiled?
If at least 20g remains, brew it again. If not, skip that coffee and continue with the other five. Note it in your submission.
Equipment malfunction?
Do your best with what you have. Note issues in your submission.
Run out of time?
Complete one full batch (three coffees) before stopping. Don't let brewed coffee sit for more than 30 minutes.
Not sure how to score?
Go with your gut. Our scoring is designed to capture real preferences from real drinkers.
Submitting Your Evaluation
Deadline: September 14, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
- Go to the online evaluation form
- Submit ratings for all six coffees (Aroma, Flavor, Acidity, Balance, Aftertaste)
- Submit your Top 3 ranking — this is what determines winners
- Report any issues that affected your tasting
Questions? Email judges@stillwatercoffee.ca.
Winners Announced September 18
Winners receive a physical trophy, digital badge, and coordinated press coverage. Additional awards include Best Coffee Overall, Best Roaster in Canada, regional winners, Best New Roaster, Best for Filter, and Best for Espresso. Winning coffees will be featured in an upcoming Stillwater Coffee Club edition.
Thank you for helping recognize Canada's best specialty coffee roasters.