You know guys but I had an almost acceptable shot from a motorway service station (Leicester Forest East, Southbound) about a year ago. To say I was shocked would not be exaggerating.
The machine in question was built into a cupboard and was a superauto. I was in dire need of caffeine after a long drive and would probably have been grateful for instant - but this stuff was actually almost acceptable. I was stunned and so were my family (you know the scene, "what's this, Dad actually likes the coffee
from a motorway service station???!!!
However I did have a very nice shot in Glasgow recently. I was lucky to be able to meet up with Richard ("cleverdic") and Mark ("marks") at Tinderbox, the Matthew Algie place in the West End.
The first shot I had was actually excellent - not the sort of thing I would have blended myself but actually really nice - my palate said lots of Monsooned Malabar, but fruit and funk in balance, extremely drinkable. The second and third shots were slightly less good - I thought they tasted slightly "dirty" as if the machine would have benefited from a quick backflush with clear water - but nonetheless they were both *much* better than anything I could have expected to drink anywhere else I've been in the UK, apart from my own kitchen and that of fellow members.
BTW, many thanks to Richard for setting up a chat with the manager of the Tinderbox chain - a good chap and very interesting to talk to. Also congratulations to Mark, not only for being a fine chap (as are all TMC members I've met so far) but also the father of two really nice kids who sat there as good as gold while the three guys talked coffee stuff. I bet my two wouldn't have been that well behaved at that age!
Anyway, sorry to drag this thread so far off topic. Must be the cask strength Glen Scotia I'm drinking