BeanBay - April

[LindaD]

Re: BeanBay - April

What is the JBM like?

[robusto]

Re: BeanBay - April

Like, expensive. Yep, expensive.

-Robusto

[Andy]

Re: BeanBay - April

Apart from VERY EXPENSIVE... It’s a reasonably mild coffee that is near perfectly balanced in the cup. Nothing jumps out and grabs you as a particular characteristic or flaw which is one of the Blue Mountain features. The aroma is nearly identical to the flavour (which is the holy grail in coffee) and most other island coffees are compared to it.

The wine analogy of Grange Hermitage Vs a “bottle of red” is fairly close to the mark. I know there are plenty of quality reds that I would prefer over a glass of Grange but unless you have tried Grange how would you know?
(OT: think a big bold Rutherglen Shiraz for my palate)

I guess that really is the punchline.

You would either buy JBM because you:

a. Know and admire its qualities.
b. Want to buy it once just so that you could try it.
c. Would like to buy it for others to try.

Expensive? Yes!
Worth it? Only you can determine that.

[robusto]

Re: BeanBay - April

My first first bottle of Grange -- a 1984 from memory, for a pricely $64 -- was certainly worth it. So smoooooth and well-rounded, like a bowling ball. No sharp edges to it at all, everything coming together to an exceptional degree.

Very few wines since-- no, Ill say none-- have come close in comparison. Brand new, small, American oak casks are an expensive ingredient. Accounting for most of the price tag though is the inflated amount people are prepared to pay. Nothing exceptional in that: a free market economy at play.

BUT, there have certainly been very many other wines which I have also thoroughly enjoyed at less than $300 or so a bottle.

Its all relative.

-Robusto

[nunu]

Re: BeanBay - April

My bowling ball had some sharp edges. Just near the thumbhole where the pinsetter damaged it.

JBM was just a bit too flat for me. Im more into vibrant coffees. The hefty price tag makes it just a bit harder to swallow is all.

Ive had Grange, Hill of Grace, and Dom. Nice they may be, but Im more inclined to enjoy something a bit cheaper.

[Ray_C]

Re: BeanBay - April

I saw the ahla expensive jamaican blue mountain there, contemplated it for a while but found the Indian monsoon peaberry enticing. After reading the banter on the jbm roasting and cupping tips I am happy with my choice, I personally dont go much for plunger although my missus does... Its espresso for me... Happy brewing... Its all good.

[Thundergod]

Re: BeanBay - April

Wow, all that anticipation and by the time I got to my email this evening, all sold out of the two I would like to have tried...ah well, Ill try again next month and be more careful about when I sleep!

Sleep is Mother Natures way of telling you you arent drinking enough coffee.

[hazchem]

Re: BeanBay - April

Im hoping therell still be some JBM later this afternoon when my pay goes through. Not entirely sure what Ill do with them seeing as I havent started to roast yet, but its on the cards for this year so I might as well start stockpiling!

[Sparky]

Re: BeanBay - April


If wine is to be used as an analogy, then Ive had wine sooo nice that Id pay the price any time. eg. 1988 Hillograce and 1988 YY#1. The HoG was so smooth with lovely integrated berry fruit that I would compare it more to a Bordeaux blend than a shiraz. These were so far above most of the wine Ive tried of late and Id easily fork out the cash for a carton if I could find one. But Id need to try before I buy.

On pricey wines, Ive tried a few top end champers, such as Krug, La Grande Dame, Belle Epoc, etc. While the prices for most were extreme, the best and most exquisite was the La Grand Dame 88. The others were an experience not really worth the price.

Im not expecting such outstanding qualities in the JBM mainly because of the extra variables involved in getting it just right. First I have to roast it to an optimal level, then theres the 4 Ms to contend with. But you only live once, and, like wine, Im prepared to pay the price once.

Anyway, should be interesting.

I wonder if it ships with an armed guard?

Cheers,

Mark.

[julsajet]

Re: BeanBay - April

Damn, Oh well, missed out this time. Only JBM left.

Very annoying to have missed it when Id been checking every 5 mins the rest of the week.

Reminder: Must kick sister off computer when she is hogging it for two days in a row and beanbay is pending, grhh.

They all sounded sooo good too, but then again I think that about any bean thats not in my cupboard. I have this strange compulsion to have as many greens as possible...

Juls

[garglebutt]

Re: BeanBay - April

My first first bottle of Grange -- a 1984 from memory, for a pricely $64 -- was certainly worth it. So smoooooth and well-rounded, like a bowling ball. No sharp edges to it at all, everything coming together to an exceptional degree.

Thats odd because Ive tried a few vintages of Grange included a half case of 1985 we cellared and found them to be very robust wines in body and taste. Not really to my liking due to the overtly big red character but my wife inhales the big meaty ones. For $64 it must have been a while ago as even the new releases are high priced. Better value to be had in the Grant Burge range IMHO.

I dont think Id ever buy JBM because I just cant see it being a sufficiently large multiple in quality to match the large multiple in price compared to the normal high quality beans on offer, and I prefer strong beans over mild. Mind you the cask it comes it would make good conversation piece! 8-)

[robusto]

Re: BeanBay - April

Wired, unlike the vintage, my recollection of the Grange is extremely sharp.

There was another bottle, just one year older, which wasnt quite as good by comparison.

These are as you say very robust wines, but with good acid and tannin which makes them develop nicely when aged first in the new small oak casks, then in the bottle. Robust alright, but in James Hallidays own words, velvety smooth. :P


-Robusto

[harrance]

Re: BeanBay - April

Well done Andy and the team once again. (there must be a team).
I have just now received my April BeanBay order.
Fantastic result.

Thanks again.

Harrance.

[lucinda]

Re: BeanBay - April

Wines, yummy. Stayed at Lyndoch over the weekend and visited not Grant Burges but Rick Burge swinery. Wasnt going to buy any wine (yeah right) but came away with a lovely Zinfandier and a White Port.

Reasonably priced and very very nice. Its a right bugger when the BArossa is less than an hour away from where you live.

[hazbean]

Re: BeanBay - April

"Zinfandier". Is that any relation to Zinfandel?