74Black Honey lot with Rosewater, Blackcurrant Wine Gum, and Agave in the cup.
Quảng Trị, VN · Black Honey
LightRoseBlack CurrantAgave
Well-reviewed roaster
$3.17/oz
Roaster
Pilot Coffee Roasters
Toronto, ONwww.pilotcoffeeroasters.com ↗
- Coffees in catalog
- 15
- Also available
- 1
- Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
- 70.3
- Reddit sentiment
- 75/100
FreshnessRoast cadence not disclosed
OriginsGTCRCOBRVNKE
How Cherry’s Index is calculatedavg coverage 33% · limited data
Coverage is below 50%. Most of this roaster’s lots are scored off roaster-level signals (Reddit + YouTube) without per-lot SCA grades, Coffee Review entries, or published buyer reviews. With limited signal, scores are also pulled toward a neutral 50 baseline by the Cherry’s Index methodology, so lots can read flatter than the actual cup quality differences between them. The avg Cherry’s Index reflects general reputation more than per-lot quality.
Roaster signals
Apply to every lot from this roaster.
- Reddit75/100weight 18%
- YouTube80/100weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 15 in-stock lots.
- SCA gradenot on file · weight 25%
- Coffee Reviewnot on file · weight 20%
- Buyer reviewsnot on file · weight 12%
- Cherrybook reader ratingsnot on file · weight 5%
- Transparency44.7/10015/15 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- sprudge15/15
- editorial cluster15/15
- stale decay13/15
Base components are renormalized over whatever signals are available for each lot. SCA + Coffee Review are capped at 40% combined to keep the cupping story from dominating. Bonuses (accolades, awards, editorial coverage) and freshness decay are applied on top.
Community reputation · Reddit
Well-regarded· sentiment 75/100
Pilot Coffee Roasters is a well-regarded Toronto-based roaster frequently mentioned alongside other top-tier Canadian roasters like Hatch and Ethica. While some enthusiasts feel their profile leans heavily toward espresso, they are widely recognized for their quality and are a go-to option for many in the region. Feedback is generally positive, with users appreciating their in-house cafe experiences and the consistency of their beans.
Toronto stapleespresso-focused profileshigh-quality beansfrequently recommended in Canadacafe experience with flights
Threads cited (10)
- r/Coffee · ↑ · I spent 40 hours on the road rating gas station coffee.
- r/espresso · ↑ · Visited Pilot Coffee Roasters in Toronto.
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Alright, upped my game significantly. Timmemore C2, Pilot specialty coffee and Aeropress.
- r/roasting · ↑ · Our first ever batch
- r/Coffee · ↑ · This Week in Coffee; Tuesday 15th of August '23
- r/pourover · ↑ · Canadian Looking to expand their taste
- r/pourover · ↑ · Good Ontario/Canada coffee roaster for pour over?
- r/roasting · ↑ · Probatone 12 Gas issues
- r/roasting · ↑ · Probat Pilot Roaster Shop Help (Part 1 as I am sure there will be more in the future)
- r/roasting · ↑ · Green Coffee Buyer
Press · Sprudge
- British Airways Doesn’t Let Their Pilots Drink Coffee In Public2025-09-15·sprudge
These are not the friendly skies.
- Verve Coffee Begins Pilot Program With Eco-Friendly Terracotta Cups2024-04-24·sprudge
Verve Coffee and GaeaStar have teamed up for 3D printable cups made of terracotta.
- Coffee Design: Pilot Coffee Roasters In Toronto2023-08-11·sprudge
A fresh new look for Toronto’s Pilot Coffee Roasters.
On YouTube
2 videos · 4k combined views
Outside coverage highlights the long history of Pilot Coffee Roasters, noting their transition from equipment service to specialty roasting. Reviewers emphasize the company's commitment to blending traditional methods with modern specialty practices. The restoration of vintage roasting equipment serves as a central element of their brand identity.
Historical evolution from equipment serviceRestoration of vintage roasting technologyIntegration of traditional and modern methodsLongstanding presence in the coffee industry
Flagship cafe
Yonge + St. Clair
1 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON
Open in maps →Listed first among many Toronto-area cafe locations.
The catalog
15 in stock · 4 archived
74
74Clementine, Cantaloupe, and Honey on a washed build.
Embu County, KE · Washed
MediumTangerineMelonHoney
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.98/oz
74Expect Vanilla Bean, Praline, and Cane Sugar from this washed.
Chiapas, MX · Washed
MediumVanillaPralineSugarcane
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
73Stewed Pear, Cacao, and Grape Jelly on a washed build.
Cusco, PE · Washed
MediumPearCocoaGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
72Natural lot with Almond, Brown Sugar, and Caramel in the cup.
Alta Mogiana, BR · Natural
MediumAlmondBrown SugarCaramel
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
72Dark Chocolate, Dates, and Creamy on a pulped natural build.
BR · Pulped Natural
MediumDark ChocolateDateOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
70Expect Fruit Punch, Gummy Bear, and Juicy from this natural.
GT · Natural
Medium-LightTropical FruitCandyOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
70Almond, Nectarine, and Creamy on a washed build.
GT · Washed
MediumAlmondNectarineOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
70Expect Milk Chocolate, Brown Sugar, and Familiar from this natural.
Huila, CO · Natural
MediumMilk ChocolateBrown Sugar
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.70/oz
68Think Mulberry, Kumquat, and Lively.
Medium-LightBerryKumquat
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
68Cupping notes point toward Toffee, Milk Chocolate, and Creamy.
MediumToffeeMilk ChocolateNutty
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.61/oz
68Think Milk Chocolate, Nougat, and Syrupy.
CR
MediumMilk ChocolateNougatOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
67Cupping notes point toward Cocoa, Molasses, and Full Bodied.
Medium-DarkCocoaMolasses
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.61/oz
67Roaster flags Tangerine, Caramel, and Bright in the cup.
MediumTangerineCaramel
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.61/oz
67Roaster flags Red Plum and Pecan in the cup.
GT
Medium-LightPlumPecan
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.79/oz
Also available · subscriptions, sample packs, gear
71Taste data is still sparse; open the detail page before judging this lot.
Well-reviewed roaster
—
Archived (4)
74Gingerbread, Chai, and Comforting on a experimental build.
CO · Experimental
LightCinnamonCloveBrown Spice+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$3.74/oz
Out of stock
72Expect Cashew, Tangerine, and Creamy from this white honey / producer:.
Central Valley,, CR · White Honey / Producer:
Medium-LightCashewTangerineOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.89/oz
Out of stock
71Think Watermelon Candy, Green Apple, and Complex.
GT
Medium-LightMelonAppleBlack Tea
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.69/oz
Out of stock
71Roaster flags Almond, Black Cherry, and Cacao in the cup.
CR
Medium-LightAlmondCherryCocoa
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.53/oz
Out of stock
For roasters
Cherrybook runs a monthly Roaster Spotlight Series featuring one roaster with an editorial piece and a giveaway. Interested in being featured? See the format or email josh@cherrybookcoffee.com.