Americans have been enjoying the Pumpkin Spice Latte every autumn or fall for years, but the drink never jumped across the Atlantic. That was until this year (2012), when Starbucks UK announced on their Twitter that the Pumpkin Spice Latte was officially being released in the UK on September 1st. Also announced was the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino which we reviewed.

I sampled the new release within the fantastic Starbucks Truro Victoria Square branch in the city centre located in Cornwall. I hadn't tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte previous to this, so I didn't really know what to expect.

To start with the beverage smells like Autumn, with a warm spicy cinnamon aroma that is very pleasant. The appearance is well presented with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spices on top.

The flavour is truly unique. Full of autumnal ingredients, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Smoothed with steamed milk and a signature espresso shot delivering a thicker consistency than a regular latte. It's perfect for this mellow time of year. The normal latte taste is intensified by the spices and there is a depth of flavour which does seem to intimate the changing of the seasons, the leaves turning on the trees and the darkening evenings drawing in coldly.

As others have found, once tried it can become quite addictive - it has a taste which is not like any other and one that Starbucks have perfected, adding yet another original and seasonal beverage to their lexicon of drinks.