On day 5 of the 2025 advent calendar and Equilibrium fell short of the mark in multiple departments. I’ll start with the good; aromatics. The coffee hits you with notes of syrup and rum and smells incredibly promising, though unfortunately the taste doesn’t live up to the scent. At the first sip, you get an overpowering dark taste, followed by an abyss of bitterness. There is no sweetness, there is no boldness, there is no balance. The aftertaste is that of a gas station coffee from 7-11 or worse, urging you to put down your cup and reach for the nearest palate cleanser.