Electric Chair Redux - Killer Beans

[Mister Moo]

This is how I see in the morning. Before sunrise I operate between the infrared spectrum and braille. I feel my way to espresso, mostly. Electric chair Blend cuts cleanly through the haze and brings things into razor sharp clarity. It drinks crisp.

MrJerry claims seven beans in EC and I don't doubt it. You can tell by looking that the blend is involved - lotsa things going on in that bag... different sizes of beans and some color variations. Someone has taken the time to combine a lot of beans and commited to a lot of roasting time. In a way that is a good thing because it spreads the flavor out over lots of possibilities and makes it more likely that the taste profile will not vary. And in a way it's a bad thing because all those beans means time and attention and, ultimately cost. EC is (SURPRISE!) expensive. (And so are grinders and tampers and espresso machines and water filters. It's just like cigars.)

The taste is complex. I don't claim a super-sensitive palate but I tasted a range here - everything from bright/winey to musty/deep. This stuff is different. On my first try with EC, over a year ago, it was distinct, complex and like nothing else. Complex can mean overly busy if you're married to a three- or four bean blend like most of us are; a year later it tasted exactly the same. This is not a blend that absorbs all the mistakes and leftovers as many are - someone is obviously making it a certain way and keeping it that way.

Did I enjoy it? "Yep."
Is it good? "Yep again. Very good"
Is it the most expensive and unusual espresso I know about? "Uh huh."

Would I buy it every week? "I roast my own 90% of the time, so - no. I do bump around trying other folks stuff though and EC stands out on its' own. If you make espresso at home it's worth a try to decide for yourself. If you are not financilly independent you may not be buying 2-pounds/week, 52/wks a year."

[SuperT]

Nice little review.

I've wanted to try it for some time, but at about DOUBLE what most others are charging for espresso blends - I won't do it. There is so much good stuff out there, from Metropolis to Stumptown, from Intelligentsia to ____________ (you fill in the blank). It is tough to do. Also, I have a local roaster with a great blend and Uncle Beanz as always been good to me too, I just can't pull the trigger.

Now, if I heard it was the best stuff around - I might get some as a 'treat', but I'll pull a number of shots just to get the grinder dialed in to a new blend/roast and that could cost me $10 right there.

Someday, but not now. . .