When you own a small coffee company, you start noticing patterns in what customers order. At The Lawman Coffee Co., one pattern has become pretty clear: Bourbon Pecan is our #1-selling flavored coffee, and customers who enjoy it often find their way to our Maple Bourbon too.
That makes sense. Both are smooth medium-roast flavored coffees with warm bourbon-inspired character, but they are definitely not the same cup. So if you are trying to decide between them—or already love one and are wondering what to try next—here is how I describe the difference.
What Does Bourbon Pecan Coffee Taste Like?
Our Bourbon Pecan Coffee combines roasted pecan, warm bourbon-inspired flavor, and smooth vanilla over a balanced medium roast.
For me, the pecan is what really makes this coffee work. You get that roasted, nutty character without turning your morning coffee into something overly sweet. The bourbon-inspired flavor adds warmth and depth, while the vanilla helps smooth everything out.
Our customers have made Bourbon Pecan our #1-selling flavored coffee, and it continues to be one of those flavors people come back for.
What Does Maple Bourbon Coffee Taste Like?
If you already enjoy Bourbon Pecan, Maple Bourbon Coffee is one I would tell you to try next.
Maple Bourbon takes the flavor in a different direction with sweet maple, creamy vanilla, caramel, and a subtle smoky-oak finish. It has a sweeter, richer profile than Bourbon Pecan, while the smoky-oak character helps balance the sweetness and adds some depth to the cup.
It is similar enough to appeal to a Bourbon Pecan drinker, but different enough that it does not feel like you are simply drinking another version of the same coffee.
Bourbon Pecan vs. Maple Bourbon: What Is the Difference?
If you are trying to choose between the two, here is the easiest way I can describe them.
Bourbon Pecan is the choice if you enjoy a warmer, nuttier cup. Roasted pecan leads the flavor, backed by bourbon-inspired warmth and smooth vanilla.
Maple Bourbon leans sweeter, with maple, vanilla, and caramel, followed by a subtle smoky-oak finish.
Both are medium roasts. Both have bourbon-inspired flavor profiles. But they have their own personalities, which is probably why we see customers who enjoy one also trying the other.
A Little Cream or Milk Can Bring Flavored Coffee to Life
Here is one of my favorite tips with flavored coffee: try adding a little cream or a splash of milk.
You certainly do not have to. Plenty of people enjoy flavored coffee black. But a small amount of cream or milk can help bring some of those flavor notes forward.
With Bourbon Pecan, it can bring out the roasted pecan and vanilla while complementing the warm bourbon-inspired flavor. With Maple Bourbon, it plays especially well with the maple, caramel, and vanilla, and can give the cup an almost dessert-like richness.
The key is not to drown the coffee. Start with a splash. You can always add more.
And this is not limited to these two coffees. It is worth trying with any flavored coffee. Sometimes that little splash is enough to bring out flavors you were not noticing when drinking it black.
Does Bourbon-Flavored Coffee Contain Alcohol?
No. In Bourbon Pecan and Maple Bourbon, “bourbon” describes the bourbon-inspired flavor profile. You are getting those warm flavor notes without alcohol in the coffee.
Of course, what you decide to put in your coffee after dinner is between you and your coffee cup.
Which One Should You Try First?
If you have never tried either one, I would start with Bourbon Pecan. There is a reason our customers have made it our #1-selling flavored coffee.
If Bourbon Pecan is already in your cabinet and you want something different, Maple Bourbon is a natural next choice. And if you are already a Maple Bourbon drinker and have not tried Bourbon Pecan yet, go the other direction and give our bestseller a shot.
Sometimes the easiest answer is to keep both around.
Flavored Coffee Should Still Taste Like Coffee
One thing that matters to us is that flavored coffee should still taste like coffee. The idea is to start with a smooth cup and add flavors that complement it, not simply cover it up.
That is especially important with Bourbon Pecan and Maple Bourbon because a lot is going on in both flavor profiles. You should still know you are drinking coffee.
Small-Batch Coffee From Our Family Business in Maryville, Tennessee
The Lawman Coffee Co. is a small family-owned coffee company based in Maryville, Tennessee. Our coffee is small-batch roasted in the USA, and our coffee is independently laboratory tested for mycotoxins, mold, and yeast.
Those are things we wanted in the coffee we drink ourselves, so they are also things we wanted in the coffee we sell our customers.
Ground Coffee or K-Cups?
If you enjoy brewing a pot in the morning, both flavors are available as ground coffee. If convenience is more important, we also offer Bourbon Pecan K-Cups and Maple Bourbon K-Cups in multiple-count options.
That can be especially handy when only one person in the house wants flavored coffee. Everybody can brew what they want without making an entire pot.
The Bottom Line
There is no complicated explanation for why we continue carrying Bourbon Pecan. Our customers made the decision for us.
It is our #1-selling flavored coffee, and one of the patterns we have noticed is that customers who enjoy that roasted pecan and bourbon-inspired flavor often enjoy the sweeter maple, caramel, vanilla, and smoky-oak character of Maple Bourbon too.
So if you are already a Bourbon Pecan fan, give Maple Bourbon a try. If you are new to The Lawman Coffee Co. and wondering where to start with flavored coffee, start with the one our customers have already put at #1.