As someone who likes the stronger, darker roasts (pike's place, Verona, eight o clock) and not a fan of flavored coffees because of the "fake" after-taste, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this one my husband picked out. It still tastes like coffee with just a mild vanilla rather than the flavoring overpowering the coffee. The only thing that would make it better is if the coffee itself were bolder. But mild is the nature of flavored coffees.