Intelligentsia Black Cat - Waiting Time

[Viewer]

At Intell last night, a couple of the baristas told me that Intelligentsia is testing a longer waiting period with Black Cat. They recommend about a week after roast date, rather than the couple of days I'm used to. It takes me about a week to go through a pound.

Has anyone noticed a significant difference?

[A2chromepeacock]

Funny you should ask!

I just finished a pound of Black Cat roasted on 2/12. I received it on 2/15, and for the first 5 days I didn't have great luck with it. (barista side of the portafilter issues aside!) I liked it, for sure, but my extractions just weren't great. I did notice a distinct improvement after that, though, and I finished it on the 25th--13 days out. The final extractions were still going strong, in my book,* without signs of getting stale.



*Note that I have a very temp-stable machine that lends itself to mirror-image repeatability.

[Climb14er]

Just about finished with a pound of the 'new and improved' Black Cat and began using it four days after roast date and experienced from that day excellent pulls and espresso all the way twelve days out.

This newer Black Cat is excellent!

[Grant]

While no experience with the new Black Cat, my own local roasteries "Amazing Espresso" is very difficult to achieve a good shot with unless it has matured (staled/aged?) in the bag for about 5-7 days. At about 12 days, it starts to run out of steam as well once opened.

[CambodianBeast]

I picked up a pound of BC yesterday at the Broadway store, roasted 2/26. I'll give it a few shots later today. Unfortunately, the preview double I had while there was not very impressive - thin crema and a little too bitter. I think I'll do better at home.