Following in the tracks (track?) of Monorail Espresso, Starbucks has introduced their own Maple Macchiato to mark the arrival of Fall. Winning points in my book for making the otherwise-sickly-sweet flavor of Maple Syrup palatable in non-pancake environments, the drink I consumed this morning on the Ave (purchased at full retail price, disappointingly) lived up to its billing as “maple-drizzled” and left me feeling like I had licked a tree in Vermont. Altogether a good effort, but I’m reserving final judgment until I try the Iced variety. Wonder if the decreased temperature will cause the maple flavoring to congeal into a sap-like resin, or if the petrochemical stabilizers will keep it nice and fluid? Further updates as events warrant.