Frequent Coffee Sets New Record with 94-Point Decaf Score

Frequent Coffee, a San Diego–based specialty coffee brand focused on elevating decaf, has earned a 94-point rating from Coffee Review for its Red Bourbon Wilton Benítez Decaf, the highest score ever awarded to a decaffeinated coffee in the publication’s history. This milestone reflects the growing quality and recognition of decaf within specialty coffee.

The review appears in Coffee Review’s April 2026 tasting report, which highlights a growing shift in both quality and perception within the decaf category.

Produced by Wilton Benítez at La Macarena farm in Cauca, Colombia, and roasted by Frequent Coffee in San Diego, CA, this coffee was recognized for its complexity, bright citrus and floral character, and balanced structure. Coffee Review summarized the coffee as:

“Soaringly complex, exhilaratingly citrusy decaf cup.”

— Kenneth Davids, Coffee Review, April 2026

“We’re incredibly grateful for the recognition. This is meaningful not just for us, but for decaf as a category,” said Mark Gano, co-founder and Head Roaster of Frequent Coffee. “For a long time, decaf has been treated as an afterthought. This shows what’s possible when the same level of care is applied at every stage, from farming and processing to roasting. We’ve always believed decaf can be super fun and complex, and this moment is a reflection of that.”

The Red Bourbon lot is produced using a highly controlled double-anaerobic fermentation process with yeast inoculation, followed by sugarcane ethyl acetate (EA) decaffeination, a method known for preserving the coffee’s inherent structure and clarity. The result is a decaf that preserves both origin character and expressive aromatics.

Frequent Coffee was also featured among a small group of roasters highlighted in the report for pushing innovation within decaf, reflecting a broader industry shift toward higher-quality, traceable, and more expressive reduced-caffeine coffees.

Frequent Coffee continues to focus on sourcing and roasting decaf coffees that prioritize clarity, structure, and flavor, offering both experimental and more approachable profiles to meet a wide range of preferences.

About Frequent Coffee

Frequent Coffee is a San Diego-based specialty coffee brand dedicated to advancing the craft of decaf and reduced-caffeine coffee. By sourcing coffees from innovative producers and prioritizing thoughtful roasting, Frequent Coffee aims to make decaf as compelling, diverse, and enjoyable as its caffeinated counterparts.