Top 9+ Lavazza whole-bean coffees, ranked worst to best

9. Classico

The Classico was the first of the drip coffees that I sampled for this ranking. It has a moderate intensity, rated as a 5 out of 10, and is made with both arabica and robusta beans. 

This blend, admittedly, didn't do much for me. When I opened the bag, I didn't smell anything particularly fresh or inviting, nor did I notice any distinct flavor notes that set it apart from the other drip coffees that I sampled. The drip coffees in this ranking had to work twice as hard to compete with Lavazza's excellent selection of espresso beans. And unfortunately, Classico was just a little too conservative for my liking. 

There was some maltiness on the palate that I noticed as I sipped, but I couldn't detect any of the flavor notes that would make me consider this coffee "complex." The brand notes that there are supposed to be "dried fruit" flavors present, but all I really got here were hotel coffee vibes. It isn't necessarily watery like hotel coffee though — just uninspiring, and frankly, bland. If someone served it to me at their house, I would drink it with no problem, but it's not a coffee blend that I would seek out for my coffee collection. A cheap Starbucks dark roast has more going on than this Lavazza coffee — and that says something.

7. Dolcevita Classico

I was excited to try this Dolcevita Classico coffee, as my rendezvous with the Classico drip coffee was not one that I would like to have again. The Dolcevita supposedly boasts more roasted nut notes with a little more of a full-bodied flavor, which I hoped would address all of the faults I found in the Classico. 

The arabica and robusta blend has some of the same malty notes as the Classico, but it takes things in a much better direction. The flavor of this blend was certainly full and assertive. While both of the coffees boasted about a dried fruit flavor, the Dolcevita was more successful at delivering on it. I could discern apricot notes here, which was not the case with the Classico. Dolcevita's flavor wrapped my taste buds in a pleasant hug, and I have to say that it was enjoyable to sip on — which is not something I often say about a drip coffee.

But its complexity is limited by the fact that it's a drip coffee. It still leans acidic and light; I would say it's more of a light-medium roast than a plain ol' medium roast. But it's very drinkable. I also think it's one coffee that you could make as a cold brew or pour over ice and not think twice about it. It has enough heft to stand its ground. However, I have had other drip coffees from both Lavazza and other brands that are more assertive and full in the mouth, thus pushing this one down in my ranking slightly.

6. Qualità Rossa Classico

This medium roast coffee blend from Lavazza is supposed to be all about the chocolate notes. It brings together South American arabica and African and Southeast Asian robusta for a flavorful blend that can be made in a moka pot, a drip machine, a French press, or my mode of choice: an espresso machine. 

The coffee had a very sandy and light brown appearance to it when it was ground. The crema was also quite thin compared to the Super Crema and Espresso Italiano that I sampled for this review. When I sipped this coffee, I felt like it was a drip coffee that was trying to fit in with the "cool kids" (read: the espresso beans). It has a weak profile that's a little watery on the palate, though it has enough strength behind it to somehow still push those flavors through. I didn't sense the same bitterness that I did with the Super Crema, which was a refreshing plus. 

I think that this coffee really should be used for drip only because it doesn't have enough body or lingering mouthfeel to make it as an espresso. If I added it to a milky coffee drink, like a latte, I'd expect that the flavor would just slowly dissipate into an acidic nothingness rather than actually elevate the drink and give it character. If you like a medium roast coffee that leans floral, this multi-origin blend could be your jam. But if you're after something more assertive, you're better off looking elsewhere. 

5. House-Blend Perfetto

Was the Perfetto perfect-o? Far from it, but it was certainly still a valiant effort from Lavazza on the drip coffee front. The coffee, which was made as a tribute to Lavazza's founder, Luigi Lavazza, features a medium-roasted arabica blend sourced from Central and South America. The predominant tasting note here is supposed to be caramel.

The one thing I have to note about these beans is that they are very beautiful. They have a beautiful, golden-brown color with a matte coating — which is different from the other slightly greasy and dark espresso beans that I sampled for this review. When I first smelled the brewed cup of drip coffee, I almost thought it was skunky, though it thankfully faded away to notes of burned caramel. 

This coffee puts hair on your chest — not because it's strong, but just because it's well developed. The flavor is punchy and bright — though not acidic like the other two drip coffees I sampled. The caramel notes are sweet and gentle yet still make their presence known with every sip. This coffee really embodies the true definition of a "medium roast" and is something that I would consider stocking in my pantry for when I have guests over and I'm looking for a good after-dinner coffee to brew. However, I don't think the mouthfeel was as full as it was for my other top choices, which gave this coffee a middle spot in this ranking. But it's easily Lavazza's best whole-bean drip coffee.

2. Classico Crema e Gusto

Lavazza's Crema e Gusto is a force to be reckoned with. The brand notes that this coffee's flavor profile is heavily spice-leaning and is made with arabica and robusta beans sourced from South America and Africa. I was amazed that despite having the same intensity rating as my top choice, it had an almost entirely different flavor profile. 

This shot brewed up beautifully and had an impressive crema layer that any barista would marvel at. On the nose, there was almost a cumin-y undertone, which gave the impression that this brew would toe the line between sweet and spicy. I could appreciate that as I sipped because I could easily pick up on the spice notes. The same cumin-like note persisted throughout the sip, but I was also met with anise- and licorice-like flavors as I swirled the espresso in my mouth. 

The one thing that I will say about this brew is that it's strong and slightly abrasive. When the brand says that this coffee is "ideal for milk-based preparations," it means it. It's bitter — but not unpleasantly so — and assertive, yet those spice notes make it wildly complex. It would be delicious in a latte, especially one that was made with cinnamon or even pumpkin syrup. However, I didn't rank it at the top because it didn't really have a creamy mouthfeel to it, and I think that its abrasive nature may be a turnoff for some drinkers.