Batdorf & Bronson vs other espresso blends

[duodelaney]

I am curious how many of you have tried Batdorf & Bronson Dancing Goats blend Espresso and how it compares to other espressos. Comparing it as straight espresso not in milk and its characteristics compared to others.

I love the smell and taste of B & B in milk, and have never tasted it (done well) straight. I am working with this espresso with my new machine and dialing it in as I just set it up 3 days ago....I am getting much closer to a good extraction but have to admit, I have never experienced a truly good tasting straight shot of espresso.

For those who have experienced B & B in this way, what are your thoughts? How do you compare it to others you have tried....is it a roast and taste that competes well with other espressos?

Interested to hear what you experiences are!

[Fred]

I tried a pound of Dancing Goats once, over a year ago. Like you, I drank it as straight espresso--no milk, sugar, etc. It's hard to recall now exactly what I didn't like about it, but it was one of my least favorite blends. Overall, I tend to prefer Northern Italian style blends for straight shots. Favorites include Rocket Reserve (unfortunately no longer available) and Taste of Milan and Tribal Blend (both from Coffee Emergency). Sorry I can't be more specific!

[jasonmolinari]

B&B is my regular roaster here in Atlanta, but i don't like the Dancing Goats. Too dark and spicy for me. I like their Omar's Organic, or Grasslake Organic.

[k7qz]

I love the smell and taste of B & B in milk

I would suggest that in the final analysis, your tastebuds are the only ones that should matter.

and have never tasted it (done well) straight.

Once you get your new machine dialed in, you will!

A couple of FWIW's for you. Don't underestimate the convenience of having a decent roaster in your neighborhood. At least if you're in the Olympia area, you'll have the luxury of driving down to Batsdorf and picking up freshly roasted beans on a regular basis. I don't have a roaster as such in my area, so I'm at the mercy of Mr. UPS being able to get beans which are roasted elsewhere delivered to my doorstep in a timely fashion. The shipping charges in many cases nearly double the cost of a pound of beans for me.

Second, I think that you will find that the bar is constantly being raised for your palate. Blends which I used to rave about in times past now seem, well, ho-hum to me- still good but no longer what I now consider great. Perfection in the cup is an elusive mistress-

I would vote since you "love the smell and taste", go with it for now!

[duodelaney]

I agree Batdorf is quite spicy. I think once I get some good straight shots with it on my machine, I may start experimenting with other blends....I hear a lot about Black Cat from Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters......lots to chose from!
What do you think would be a good starter qualities in an espresso for someone who is new to straight shots? More chocolaty and sweet? More bright and berry?

[woodchuck]

Tom, both Black Cat from Intelligentsia and Toscano from Counter Culture Coffee are good "chocolate bombs" to start with. I think this is a good starting point for espresso. That said, I've found over the past year or so I've moved to more "complex" blends like Aficianado from Counter Culture or Kid O's from Intelligentsia. A more reserved chocolate base with some nice nut and berry flavors on top. Lots of choices out there and some great roasters coming into the market. Experimenting is half the fun!

Cheers

Ian

[jamhat]

Hi Tomi Marie,
I am fan of Batdorf and Bronson. I live in Atlanta, where B&B has a second roastery. I started using Dancing Goats blend early on in my espresso journey (Actually, I guess I am still a newbie!) and still enjoy it. It is a little spicy and less smooth than other blends, but to me, it is still pretty smooth.

Another B&B blend is definitely smoother and has more cocoa notes - Omar's Organic. I think you may get a little more pleasure out of straight shots with that blend. It's also a smidge darker than the Goats.

Also, I would encourage you to talk to the B&B employees. Everyone I have talked to in Atlanta has been very willing to help and share their knowledge of coffee (and most know their stuff). They can help you find a blend that suites you.

If you try Omar's, please let me know what you think of it.

Jamhat

[duodelaney]

Thanks Jamhat for you insight. I also am trying B & B's Vesuvio blend, which I think I like better than Dancing Goats as straight espresso. It is smoother. My next order of coffee will be interesting with all of the great suggestions I have been hearing. Omars organic....I will have to give that one a try too! Watch our taste buds...here we go!

I am hearing a lot about Black Cat and Kid O's so I am certain those will be in line to try next!

[cannonfodder]

Counter Cultures Toscano is very chocolaty, noticeably more than several months ago.

[The_Mighty_Bean]

Counter Cultures Toscano is very chocolaty, noticeably more than several months ago.

Agreed, and I like it better than I used to. Yum!


I recently went through a half-pound of Dancing Goats, trying a variety of temps and doses. I was left feeling like I never quite "got it". I don't think it's easy to pull right. It is forgiving, in that the shots were inoffensive and fit the roaster's description of "Dark, sweet, spicy and smooth". Still, the spices were always muted to the point of being difficult to detect and I never got any interesting complexities of flavor out of the shots. Just an understated semisweet chocolate.

I know it's gotten some raves, but I just couldn't get it right.


I am a huge fan of Black Cat, Kid O, also love Liquid Amber and just had a great S.O. Sumatra Golden Mandheling from Terroir.


-Bean