Paradise Roasters Espresso Havana Reserve

[HB]

It's vacation time and I wanted something special to enjoy during our sejour. Miguel suggested his limited Espresso Havana Reserve for espresso and the Panama Esmeralda Special for French press. My travel espresso machine is an Elektra Microcasa a Leva, which goes well with the relaxed ambiance of the Carolina beaches:


An impromptu photograph from the balcony of our rented beach house

Miguel describes the Havanna Reserve as "heavy bodied with tobacco, caramel, and spice. We added the infamous Panama Esmeralda Special to add liveliness citrus and floral effervescence as well as elegance and refinement." Perhaps, but the lower brew pressure of the Microcasa doesn't favor high-body shots, preferring instead to pay off in clarity of the flavors. I've never tried Esmeralda as an espresso; this one time, I thought it would make an interesting comparison with the Havana Reserve. Esmeralda as an espresso burst with bright lemon-lime and Yirgacheffe florals, an enjoyable surprise from the usual caramel/chocolates so favored in blends today. The blended Havana Reserve tamed the brightness, added sweetness, but kept the shimmering florals. Tobacco flavors were muted under Elektra's calming influence.

If you would enjoy a summer delight of bright complex flavors, try Paradise's Havana Reserve. Although Miguel says it was based on his regular Havana ("a heavy bodied espresso that's deep and smoky"), the medium roasted blend is only a tip of a roaster's hat to its namesake.

[chelya]

Mine arrives in a few days. I am looking forward to it.
It is good time to be drinking great coffee. I am getting treat after treat after treat with WBC blend, havana reserve, panama esmeralda special, so ethiopia adado... It does not get better than this.

[HB]

I look forward to hearing your impressions. The Microcasa (spring lever) can really produce flavor powerhouses and I wonder how Havana Reserve will play out with a pump-driven espresso machine.

[chelya]

I just opened a bag and tried the full double. I still have to experiment with the dosage and try a ristretto.
So far I did 17g at 93C.

My first thought when I looked at the bag - my bag number was 24. Only 250 bags are available. I am a bit surprised at how long it takes to sell those. I imagined they would have to fly out.

Once I opened the bag - I can swear I could smell panama esmeralda there! Of course it may just be my imagination. I did spend some time with panama esmeralda at grumpy's cupping session. In any case the smell was fantastic.

My first shot was a 20 seconds gusher as I was in the process of dialing it, but even that shot was quite good. Once dialed in I've got the following: heavy mouthfeel, a little tobacco (very little), a lot of lemon, some caramel sweetness and a bunch of other flavors which are beyond my ability to properly recognize.
The aftertaste had a bit more of tobacco, but very pleasant.

Ristretto and updosing with a triple basket may highlight the flavors. We'll see.

[HB]

Once I opened the bag - I can swear I could smell panama esmeralda there! Of course it may just be my imagination. I did spend some time with panama esmeralda at grumpy's cupping session. In any case the smell was fantastic.

Indeed you're correct, it's unmistakably Esmeralda. That's why I compared Havana Reserve against a single origin Esmeralda, i.e., to see how blending affected the flavor profile. I will have to try this blend on my regular setup to see how it compares to the lever espressos.

[jffhn]

I was curious about Havana Reserve and ordered a bag. My expectations were very high, not only because of what's known about Esmeralda, but also the reviews and the price (nearly $24/lb, based on the 14oz bag price). When I did pull a good shot, it was very good, different than what I'm used to drinking. I found it extremely difficult to dial in shots and even on the best ones there is very little crema. So, overall it was a bit of a frustrating (and expensive) experience as I consumed the entire bag without ever really zeroing in on the pull.

[chelya]

I was curious about Havana Reserve and ordered a bag. My expectations were very high, not only because of what's known about Esmerelda, but also the reviews and the price (nearly $24/lb, based on the 14oz bag price). When I did pull a good shot, it was very good, different than what I'm used to drinking. I found it extremely difficult to dial in shots and even on the best ones there is very little crema. So, overall it was a bit of a frustrating (and expensive) experience as I consumed the entire bag without ever really zeroing in on the pull.

I did not experience any problems you describe. There was one day when I just could not make the blend work for whatever reason - I called it bad coffee day.

The taste is somewhat unusual. the aftertaste lasts forever. It's a great blend.

[jffhn]

can you explain the extraction conditions you used to successfully pour this blend? did you realized a good amount of crema?

[Philg]

Dear Mr. Kehn,

Sorry for the off topic question but what kind of cup is that? I've never been much interested in cups (mine were $2 with saucers) and actually let my espresso cool a little, so maybe impractical for me, but it makes that very good coffee look extra good (-:

I think I've found something like it but only sets of 6, I only need one but just in case I decide to buy I wanted to make sure - or, if you can direct me to a source for single cups.

Thanks,
Phil

[HB]

Sorry for the off topic question but what kind of cup is that?

It's the Nuova Point demitasse. If you want only one, call them and ask if they've got an open box. I'm sure they can work something out.

[chelya]

can you explain the extraction conditions you used to successfully pour this blend? did you realized a good amount of crema?

Nothing extraordinary: 93C, 18g. 1.75oz.
I am getting a usual amount of crema, but it may dissipate a bit faster than usual.

[KarlSchneider]

I look forward to hearing your impressions. The Microcasa (spring lever) can really produce flavor powerhouses and I wonder how Havana Reserve will play out with a pump-driven espresso machine.

I just received bag #064 and pulled three shots on my Microcasa a Leva. I agree with Dan that the MCaL produces flavor intensity. I would call it flavor clarity. I confess I did not like the first three shots. All had a bitter end and aftertaste. Someone mentioned a medium roast. This sounds right in my limited experience. I also bought a bag of green Havana Espresso Reserve. My plan was to explore Jim Schulman's comment that he could not match Miguel's taste complexities. I now intend to roast some tomorrow and to take it darker as I always do and see if I like it better. I had the same experience with George Howell's Daterra Reserve.

I am simply saying that my personal taste preference is quite different. I am not suggesting I can compare my roasting in a Hottop to the pro's.

My Havana roast, by the way is 4 days old and probably at the pinnacle.

KS

[HB]

I confess I did not like the first three shots. All had a bitter end and aftertaste.

That's too bad, it was not at all my experience. Maybe the temperature was too high? I pull the first shot when the boiler pressure peaks after a half flush to warm the group. Usually the second shot is the best, though the third is tolerable. If I try more pulls, I wrap a wet towel around the group and run the portafilter under cold water. Or it might be that you're a dark roast lover to the core. If so, Paradise Roasters will disappoint because none of Miguel's coffees are dark roasted.

[chelya]

I have to confession to make: I completely switched to Havana Reserve. This stuff is addictive.

I am still puzzled that it sells at a rate of 10 bags a week. My last week bag was #60 and the latest shipment arrived yesterday with #70.

[KarlSchneider]

That's too bad, it was not at all my experience. Maybe the temperature was too high? I pull the first shot when the boiler pressure peaks after a half flush to warm the group. Usually the second shot is the best, though the third is tolerable. If I try more pulls, I wrap a wet towel around the group and run the portafilter under cold water. Or it might be that you're a dark roast lover to the core. If so, Paradise Roasters will disappoint because none of Miguel's coffees are dark roasted.

Hi Dan,

I suspect the "dark roast lover to the core" is right on target. I am very familiar with the potential overheating of the MCaL and do not think that was the cause although different coffees do react to temp differently. Tonight I will go to the other extreme I can and use my Cremina and my hand grinder. Both give more rounded flavors and not the crystalline quality of the Elektra.

This morning's Hermitaggios [Americani] were very good since they do soften the acids. I got the very deep flavors many praise.

My guess is that the range of responses to this coffee has much to do with the fact that it aims for the unique margins of taste rather than the mainstream. Out there different preferences are dramatic. My preference for SO's takes me out into that region regularly and I know that there some please greatly and some displease greatly.

I did also roast some Havana Reserve green today. I am curious how it will show.

KS

[KarlSchneider]

I had three more shots this evening. The first two were ground in my De Ve hand grinder (conical) and I liked them very much. I used my Cremina. The bitterness that I tasted last night from the Elektra pulls was almost gone. In these shots it gave a very slight touch that was actually very nice. Last night the bitterness overwhelmed all else. Another item here: last night all were ground in my Fiorenzato Doge (63 mm flat burr) which also makes clean bright taste.

After two very nice pulls I switched to the Doge. The bitter finish / aftertaste increased to levels I find objectionable.

Much to learn here.

KS

[Levergirl]

Ahh, the joys of trying new things at Christmastime.

I won a Holiday Delight from Paradise Roasters, which I'm pretty sure was one of the best delights, but hey, you could only win one of those so, clearly it was the best.

HB recommended the Havana Espresso Reserve. Technically, that was not one of the offerings for free espresso, but Miguel was agreeable to sending me green beans as my prize. I may never know how Miguel roasts them, but I roasted them in my Behmor to a nice Full city +, not quite Vienna. Just a faint sheen of oil. I think that's slightly darker than Miguel roasts them, from what I hear. Still have half a pound, so will try a lighter roast just to see how it is.

Absolutely exquisite in the Achille. The first day, on barely 24 hours rest, it was rich, smooth, with a nice espresso bite to it. Not much citrus initially, but on cooling, the citrus and floral were there. On 3 days rest, the tobacco takes over, but still with the citrus and floral on cooling. Today, it was 7 days (I've got a lot of coffee in the house, have had to rotate!). Perfect! Spicy, smooth, but still with that espresso bite. Less floral, but now with a hint of anise.

I'm off to roast some more!