Duchess of Spotswood. Overall Score 15.83

87 Hudsons Rd, Spotswood, VIC 3015
(03) 9391 6016
Google map link
Coffee Brand: Small Batch (By Auction Rooms, North Melbourne)

The Duchess of Spotswood is a cracker of a little cafe across the Westgate Bridge. On the outside Spotswood would seem an unusual place for a quality cafe. The local residents would vigorously disagree this we would imagine, but walking down Hudson St is like High Noon and tumbleweeds. With nary a soul in sight, bar the frequent trucks, entering The Duchess is like finding a little Oasis in the middle of nowhere. There are a few cafes in the strip too so obviously business is good. The place has a friendly vibe, offers beautiful food and finding that they use Small Batch coffee is a pleasant surprise.

We noticed a different barista on our third visit, and there was only a small drop in the review scores. The Candyman blend is doing wonders in this cafe, seeming to suit the broad clientele. A single origin would be handled well by the baristas here.

On all of our visits the service has been attentive and our coffees have arrived without too long of a wait. The cafe has appeared busier and busier on each of our visits, which is great to see.

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 14.5, 15.5, 15

Macchiato: 16.5, 16, 14

Espresso: 17, 16.5, 17, 17*

Ristretto: 17, 14

* Denotes we both reviewed an espresso each on 3rd visit.

Overall Mean Score: 15.83 Recommended.

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Duchess of Spotswood. 3rd Review.

87 Hudsons Rd, Spotswood, VIC 3015
(03) 9391 6016
Google map link
Date: Friday 20 August 2010
Time: 11:15am
Coffee Brand: Small Batch (By Auction Rooms, North Melbourne)

Text

Coffee: Cafe Latte Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15/20

One thing that stands out with this coffee over the three visits is the consistency. There is beautiful texturing of milk and integration with the espresso, and the coffee treads the fine delicate line of strength. The Candyman is a wonderful blend, one Melbourne’s best, and while this coffee came across as unassuming and introverted it was pleasant all the same. Those needing a bigger hit may need to ask for a strong one.

Coffee: Short Macchiato Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 14/20

I had to go back and have a look at my short macchiato reviews to see if I had ever reported a weak one. I had not. Unfortunately, this was the first weak macchiato I have reviewed.

It was still gentle and all the wonderful characteristics were present when compared to previous visits. Sadly, it was just weak and a tad too small.

Coffee: Espresso Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 17/20

Another double review (same coffee reviewed by the both of us). The Candyman blend showed it quality here being well suited to this style. Sweet and smooth with an underlying darkness, there is balanced acidity, rich mid palate, nutty undertones and lingering finish. A little short in presentation but certainly the best parts shone despite this. High yum factor.

Coffee: Espresso Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17/20

There were no doubts or misgivings with this espresso. It was deeply and darkly toned in both its flavour and presentation. A short and sweet punch of acidity burst through like a starburst.

Once more the Candyman blend shone like car with high-beams and I was stuck in the headlights.

Service 3/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 4/5

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Duchess of Spotswood – Spotswood. 2nd Review.

87 Hudsons Rd, Spotswood, VIC 3015
(03) 9391 6016
Google map link
Date: Thursday 9 June 2010
Time: 1000
Coffee Brand: Small Batch (Auction Rooms Brand) – all coffees.

Certainly a lot busier than our previous visit, it would seem that Duchess is firing on all pistons. The cafe was almost full, and the staff appeared to be holding up well; our coffees (and food) coming out in a timely manner. The barista was the same as our previous visit, and she worked with speed and efficiency.

Coffee: Cafe Latte
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 15.5/20

Unassuming, elegant, finely balanced and nicely flavoured. The kind that won’t stand out in a crowd, but corner it into a one-on-one and there is plenty of interest below the surface. While it treads the milder side instead of the wilder side, this cafe latte provided plenty of enjoyment with its smooth and creamy richness and lazy, subtly rich, espresso character.

Coffee: Short Macchiato
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16/20

This coffee was a bit short in height, but long in flavour. I must admit that I am truly a Candyman fanboy and this macchiato met the hype. It was a near carbon-copy of the macchiato I had at Auction Rooms, albeit slightly smaller, less flavoursome and shorter…but very good all the same.

Coffee: Espresso Coffee
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 16.5/20

High marks for presentation and true to style. A nice hit of acidity was followed by a smooth buttery mouth feel, peachy mid palate and dry finish. A bit short and simple and direct, but it had great flavour and tickled my fancy.

Coffee: Ristretto Coffee
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 14/20

A bit light and not too bright, I was somewhat disappointed with the flavour of this coffee. Whilst it looked good and appeared well-extracted, this ristretto had no body and very little character. I’m quite sorry to say that it was like a fashion model with no social skills. Sure it was great to look at, but you wouldn’t introduce it to your friends or take it home to meet the parents.

I must say that I don’t believe this experience reflects the true quality or normal ability of (a) the Duchess or (b) the Candyman blend, but it was what it was…and was therefore reviewed accordingly.

Service 3.5/5

Ambiance 3.5/5

Busy 4/5

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Duchess of Spotswood – Spotswood. 1st Review

87 Hudsons Rd, Spotswood, VIC 3015
(03) 9391 6016
Google map link
Date: Friday 23 April 2010
Time: 1000
Coffee Brand: Small Batch (Auction Rooms Brand)

We love finding out-of-the-way cafes that do a good coffee. It’s the hidden places that invoke an Indiana Jones feeling…discovery, adventure and triumph. There were no buxom blondes or Nazi’s to be found at the Duchess, however there is a little gem of a cafe. Such lesser-known cafes are symbolic of the secret Melbourne that we know and love.

Entirely open plan, the Duchess of Spotswood is perfect for eaves-droppers. One can hear the barista talking to the kitchen staff, the mum cooing her baby and the conversation of other diners. This adds to the overall honesty and genuineness of the place.

The barista who looked after us on our first visit was in tune with the Small Batch blend (Candyman), and was able to talk us through the difference between two bags of the same roast. SamW’s parents joined us (being local to the area) and shared our thoughts on the pleasantness of the venue.

Coffee: Short Macchiato. Small Batch Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 16/20

This coffee was bold, bright and tart! Like water through a geyser the roast shot turbulently through the milk. The acidity leant towards blood orange and pink grapefruit, and then settled into a dried apricot and soft chocolate finish. It was quite intense but not unbalanced.

The presentation was a little short, but its saving grace was the small amount of milk and tiny dollop of foam.

Coffee: Cafe Latte. Small Batch Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 14.5/20

This was a good looking coffee showing an attractive dark beige colour. Head was a bit on the thin side though. The flavour was mild, with some nice caramel espresso flavour peeking through, very smooth and creamy with a hint of woody spice. Needed a bit more oompf. Nice coffee all the same.

Coffee: Ristretto. Small Batch Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SimonL
Score: 17/20

After some tussle with SamW about who was going to review the short black and ristretto, I backed down, relinquishing the short black to SamW’s palate. My dominance of reviewing short blacks is beginning to wane.

While ristretto’s can be an intense piece of coffee heaven, it is so damn short…….

I soon found myself savouring this wonderful rich and sweet, quarter mouthful of goodness. Fruity acidity and an even flow of flavour throughout finishing with a graduating bitter chocolate finish…..then it was gone, leaving just a shadow of a memory.

Coffee: Doppio Espresso. Small Batch Candyman Blend
Reviewed by: SamW
Score: 17/20

This coffee was made with a different bag of beans (compared to the other 3 coffees), but of the same roast. It was less bright than the macchiato, so sunglasses weren’t necessary. As a stand alone blend (with no milk), the Candyman showcases some wonderful acidity that acts as a tugboat for the second flavour wave (cocoa and darker fruits). Ripples of acidity and bitterness rolled around my mouth in a tide-like manner.

The pour, presentation and execution of this coffee scored full marks.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 3/5

Busy 2.5/5

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