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Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb

Kicking Horse CoffeeDark Roast Whole Beans

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 Lb Review: Is It Worth Buying in 2026?

Brewfolia Verdict

This is a dark, whole bean blend for shoppers who want a bold cup with smoky, chocolate-forward notes. It suits dark-roast drinkers who are comfortable with a strong cup. The main trade-off is that its intensity can come across as burned, bitter, or too smoky for some drinkers.

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At a glance

What we like

  • Smoky aroma with sweet vanilla and dark chocolate notes.
  • Chocolate malt, molasses, and licorice tasting notes.
  • Recommended for French Press, Drip, and Pour Over.
  • Foil-lined bag helps keep beans fresh.

What could be better

  • Some bags taste burned.
  • Some bags seem not very fresh.
  • Can be oily.
  • Can taste too bitter or too smoky for some drinkers.

Best for

  • People who like dark, bold coffee.
  • People who want whole bean coffee for French Press or drip.
  • People who may also use an espresso machine.

Key specs

Model number
629070100139
Package dimensions
8.6 x 4.0 x 3.0 inches
Ingredients
Organic Arabica Coffee
Origin
Indonesia, Central & South America
Roast profile
dark
Format
whole bean coffee
Recommended brew methods
French Press, Drip, and Pour Over
Listed sizes
10oz and 2.2lb
Listed version
1 lb

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb overview

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb review: this is Kicking Horse Coffee's dark roast whole bean blend, sold with a bold wake-up message. It is aimed at shoppers who want a dark cup and are comfortable with strong flavor.

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb review

This page focuses on the retailer-listed 1 lb version of KICK ASS, a dark roast whole bean coffee blend from Kicking Horse Coffee. It is a straightforward option for shoppers who want a dark cup in whole bean form.

What Kicking Horse says about this blend

The brand describes KICK ASS as a bold invitation to wake up and kick ass with us. It is a dark roast whole bean coffee blend from Kicking Horse Coffee.

That framing matches the cup style the rest of the listing points to: intense, dark, and built for drinkers who want more punch than brightness.

Design and build

This listing is for whole bean coffee, so you control the grind before brewing. The manufacturer page lists 10oz and 2.2lb sizes, and a retailer listing identifies a 1 lb version of the same blend.

Whole bean format and size options

Because it is sold as whole bean coffee, it suits people who already grind at home or who want to choose a grind for a specific brewer. That makes the bag format practical for several brewing setups.

The manufacturer page lists 10oz and 2.2lb sizes. A retailer listing also identifies a 1 lb version, which is the version this review page is focused on.

Features and performance

The listed flavor profile is dark and direct, with notes that lean toward chocolate and bitterness rather than brightness. Third-party reviewers repeatedly describe the coffee as strong and dark.

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb taste review

The tasting notes are chocolate malt, molasses, licorice, and an earthy lingering finish. On iHerb, reviewers describe the coffee as strong and dark, which fits that profile.

This is the part of the review that matters most if you care about cup character. The notes point to a heavy, dark roast style rather than a smooth, light-bodied one.

Aroma, tasting notes, and roast profile

The aroma is described as smoky, sweet vanilla, and dark chocolate. Its roast profile is dark, so the smell and the cup are meant to line up around intensity.

If you like coffee that signals its roast immediately, that description is clear. If you prefer a cleaner or lighter aroma, this profile may feel too forceful.

Blend, ingredients, and origin

The blend uses Organic Arabica Coffee. The listed origin is Indonesia, Central & South America.

Those are the only ingredient and origin details tied to this product listing, so shoppers who care about bean type and origin range have a straightforward read on what is inside.

Recommended brew methods and espresso use

Kicking Horse recommends French Press, Drip, and Pour Over. A retailer listing also includes cold brew.

For espresso use, the third-party feedback is encouraging but limited: one reviewer said it works well in an espresso machine, and another said it makes a bold and smooth cup in a moka pot.

Cleaning and maintenance

The bags are foil-lined to help keep the beans fresh. The manufacturer says unopened beans hold freshness for 18 months after roasting.

That gives this coffee a fairly clear freshness window for unopened bags. Once opened, the foil-lined packaging still suggests the bag is meant to protect the beans before you finish it.

Foil-lined bags and freshness window

The foil-lined bag is the main freshness-related design detail called out by the manufacturer. Unopened beans are said to stay fresh for 18 months after roasting.

What owners say about the Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb

Owners repeatedly praise the bold, rich taste. The same theme shows up across multiple review sites, along with comments about smoky flavor and a full body. That pattern appears across multiple third-party reviews.

What owners praise most

On Kicking Horse's site, owners repeatedly praise the bold, rich taste and that it stays good from the first cup to the second.

On iHerb, reviewers repeatedly praise the smoky flavor, the fact that it is not acidic, and the rich, full-bodied cup.

Who the Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb is for

This is a better fit for dark-roast fans who want a whole bean coffee with a strong profile. It also makes sense for shoppers who plan to brew with an espresso machine or a French press.

Best for dark-roast fans and espresso machine users

If you already like smoky, bold coffee, the flavor profile here is likely to feel familiar rather than aggressive. The brewing notes also make it a practical pick for several common home methods.

If you usually want a milder cup, the recurring comments about bitterness and smoke are a sign to look elsewhere.

Trade-offs to know

The main downside is consistency. Some bags draw complaints about roast quality or freshness, so the experience may vary from bag to bag.

Common complaints to weigh

A recurring complaint is that some bags taste burned. Other repeated complaints are that some bags seem not very fresh, the coffee can be oily, and the cup can taste too bitter or too smoky for some drinkers.

How we researched the Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb

This review is based on published product pages and customer discussions from Kicking Horse Coffee, a retailer listing, iHerb, and Reddit. Brewfolia did not buy, receive, unbox, or use the coffee, and the write-up stays limited to that published material. No first-hand testing was involved.

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb verdict

If you want a dark whole bean blend with smoky, chocolate-forward notes, this is a straightforward option. It suits dark-roast drinkers who are comfortable with a strong cup. The trade-off is that the same intensity that appeals to fans can read as burned, bitter, or too smoky for others.

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb: frequently asked questions

Is Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb for espresso?
Yes, it can work for espresso. A reviewer said it works well in an espresso machine, and another said it makes a bold and smooth cup in a moka pot.
What brew methods does Kicking Horse recommend for this blend?
The manufacturer recommends French Press, Drip, and Pour Over. A retailer listing also includes cold brew.
Is this sold as whole bean coffee or ground?
It is sold as whole bean coffee.
What sizes are listed for Kicking Horse Kick Ass?
The manufacturer page lists 10oz and 2.2lb sizes. A retailer listing also identifies a 1 lb version.
How long do unopened beans stay fresh?
The manufacturer says unopened beans hold freshness for 18 months after roasting.

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