HemiSam

Very nice, Aura! Enjoy... I've now had the opportunity to enjoy each of the four Levercraft offerings several times. Very cool to have a TX roaster on the menu. Overall, I appreciate that they do not over roast their beans. The coffees I prefer (I'm a french press and pour over/Chemex type...Chemex new the last few months) are lighter to medium roasts...that's where the beans find the sweet spot. It's the roasters that get this that I'm inclined to prefer and buy from. My favorite by far is the Yemeni. It is pricey, but it really is special. Only beans I have enjoyed more are those select Ethiopians with all heavy blueberry notes. Then I'm split between the Kenyan and Ethiopian beans. Both very nice and approachable. The notes they suggest I mostly pickup which I find satisfying for some reason. Finally, the Burundi. It's a good coffee. It's just not one of my favorites due to the earthiness...what they refer to as cinnamon I believe. Overall, great find. Thanks, @grawk HS

blessingx, Would you share a bit more about your goals / preferences? Obviously you prefer a simple / uncomplicated style...feels a modern take on a military/avaiation watch from my limited experience. I see a round 40mm, that's a bit over 10mm tall, auto, black and white face with hour and minute markers, see through case back, leather and tang buckle, seconds hand but no date at roughly a $750-$1000 price point. Anything to add or correct? I have to say the Sinn is more to my aesthetic than the Flieger. They run a bit large for my wrist unfortunately as I find some of their styles interesting. Perhaps this Oris as an option. Links to Oris site, jomashop one model, and joma several options... https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-55th-reno-air-races-limited-edition/01-752-7698-4194-set-ts https://www.jomashop.com/oris-watch-751-7697-4164bkfs.html https://www.jomashop.com/jomasearch?query=oris big crown pro pilot# HS

I tried the Burundi. The Yemen is light years above it. The Burundi is not bad but definitely not my favorite. The lemon they profile I get. The cinnamon not so much. To me it's a bit on the earthy side...not quite like a Sumatran but some earthiness there that's not my preferred profile. I'll try one of the others tomorrow. It's fun to have so many new coffees in the house. HS

Point well taken, grawk. Just an observation from a value for money standpoint. Lots of places that produce coffee are heartbreaking IMO so that's a tough call vs say an African country like Ethiopia. Having said that, it is an exceptional cup. Kona I like but it's a bit too delicate for how I drink coffee and it is certainly pricey. Had some nice beans when we last visited. The Blue Mountain...I'd have to revisit. I recall liking it very much, but I'm with you...it's really expensive for what it is. Very cool to support an Austin outfit. HS

My Levercraft order arrived. Over a $50 purchase and shipping was free...I reached out and they sent me the code. It wasn't obvious to me on their site. They also updated their store / available coffees after I contacted them as only two were of interest to me that showed in stock. They had a good bit more than the website reflected at first which made purchasing a lot more satisfying. The coffee arrived promptly via USPS and packed well. A few observations at this point as I've only tried the Yemeni. The Yemeni is as described. A lot going on and some very bright tart cherry/wine flavors. Very interesting. Not a pretty bean...smallish and some tan looking ones, but the coffee is top quality. $24 per half pound??? I dunno...that's by far the most expensive coffee I've purchased. The bottles are interesting. My only concern is that when you open one you get the pfffft of built up gases. I'm assuming it's a CO2 build up and why good coffee comes in bags that allow for it's release over time. So not sure about that part. Beans were roasted recently as marked on the bottles which is always a good sign. More to follow as I get on to the next few. HS

Godspeed Lee and Brian... and the Cohens....that's the real deal! HS

I hit up levercraft for four different types of beans including the Yemen. I'll report back once I've had a chance to sample them. HS

I'm ready for some java and automatically went to DoubleShot. Caught myself and have started a cart on Levercraft. They have pretty slim pickings. I can order the Burundi which is in the cart and I like Ethiopian so that's in the cart. They are out of the Columbian and the Kenyan. I'm not a fan of Mexican origin coffees so I guess that's about it. I'll try to call them in case something is not showing up on my screen. HS

Rest in peace, Mr. Willner...thank you for all the entertainment. Stirling Moss....oh my! Truly one of the greats. Fearless and those were different times when apparently safety was overrated. Godspeed, Stirling....hope you are going around a track of your liking in the sky... HS

It is not uncommon for spectators to be struck there. Definitely a bucket list event. 24 Hours of LeMans night racing....most definitely bucket list. Watching the sun come up at the event is something I need to experience before the party is over... HS

Isle of Man is all balls....balls of steel. Motorcyclists are the most untethered. They lose someone every year. Some of the most exciting racing there is! HS

So sorry for your loss, Brent. Godspeed, Ms. ZoeBelle... We should all be so lucky in the end. Sam

RIP Ms. Blackman and Mr. Kaline. HS

Wow. Too young. Godspeed, Mr. Dempsey... HS

grawk, The NFC disc for the Niche Zero showed up. A few images....well, trying. They are HEIC so I'm going to have to get creative. The Niche is very nicely constructed, as it should be given they are proud of it. HS

Godspeed, Bill.... HS

The first step is embracing you have a problem... HS

I tried the Hoffman french press method just now. It is a very good cup of coffee. Perhaps a bit less bitter than my usual method. I generally use between 31 and 33 grams of coffee to ~16oz of water so not far off his recommended dosage. The method I've used of late: 1) freshly medium coarse ground of 31 grams of good coffee into a double walled steel french press (Freiling unit that has been great for many years) and I start a 4 minute and 30 second kitchen timer; 2) add roughly 8 oz of just under 200 degree filtered water from my fridge heated in a Bonavita gooseneck kettle that's really grown on me; 3) stir with a tablespoon steadily and not too fast for a 5 count; 4) add the remaining 8 pz of water and stir another 5 seconds steadily; and 5) plunge steadily and slowly once the timer goes off. Method stolen from George Howell's Terroir Coffee site. Happy caffeinating.... HS

Very interesting, Aura. Thank you for sharing. I'll give this a run over the weekend. Fortunately, I have a double walled stainless steel press. What I'm wondering about is how long the brew is left to sit and without cover to help retain heat. Definitely worth a spin. Great to see different techniques being explored. HS

I was drinking DoubleShot's Panama Hartmann Natural #4 today. Good stuff! HS

Do they roast in a medium style generally, darker or does it vary by bean? I'm off the super roasted stuff, but do love me a quality medium roasted whole bean. Generally stick to Central and South American and African grown. French press and Chemex now. No fancy espresso machine yet. Maybe in retirement with a bigger kitchen... Have to say I've really enjoyed the Niche Zero. It's over the top from a cost perspective but WTH... HS

Nice find. I went to the website and could not find the Yemeni. Some other interesting coffee on there as well. HS

Godspeed, Kenny! HS

I don't see the Yemeni, grawk. I just had a couple of pounds delivered on top of one I had already from DoubleShot, but I'd like to take a look at these folks as they are not too far from me. HS

The Niche Flow Control Disk is available for order. Cost of shipping basically. Happy caffeinating... HS