Toyomafia - The Clubhouse. 151.880

Ok Cru... back to Irish Coffees

Sorry for not posting any updates on this over the last couple of weeks, but I had a couple of hang-ups in the process. First and most importantly was a delay in aquiring some Tullamore D.E.W. (freakin' state run liquor stores )... anyhow that's been resolved!!!
We also had family in town for a little over a week, which definitely ran some interference w/my free time

So, I want to start w/giving you a list of ingredients, techniques and recipe variations that are going to be sampled...

Let's start w/the heart of the drink, the coffee...

ALL recipes are calling for 'strong' coffee. To me 'strong' doesn't necessarily mean dark or bitter roasts (although I do tend to lean that direction), but what it does mean to me is a high concentration of quality coffee/water ratio (not weak and watered down). Also, any time you are blending ingredients, aromas and oils are important; especially if you are blending in other fats. So, to maximize the amount of oils, etc. being produced by the coffee, it is my opinion that the ONLY option for the brewing process is to French Press... So, this WILL be the technique used to brew all coffee being used in the experiment.

Next up the beans... I have chosen (3) different whole bean coffees to sample: An Italian Blend (dark roast), an Espresso Blend (dark roast), and for a little contrast I went with a Single Origin Guatemalan (medium roast)...

Yes, one must use whole been coffee that is properly ground for French Press, and the grinding must be done just prior to be used in the French Press; preferebly using a ceramic conical shaped burr grinder... Think of this as using a motar and pestle in 'crushing' spices for cooking as opposed to obliterating them in a food processor or blade type (chopping) bean grinder. Remember we just talked about oils, and crushing and smashing is the best way to maintain the maximum availability of oils, aroma, and flavor from the beans. When you use a blade grinder or food processor type machine your are actually 'blending' the beans into a powder and changing their characteristics.

So, keeping in mind the ingredients of an Irish Whiskey, I'm thinking the best 'matched' flavor profiles are going to be either the Italian or the Espresso Blend.

Espresso Blend.... It's dark, strong, and has flavor notes that include rich molasses and caramel. Now even through these are espresso beans, I won't be preparing the coffee using an espresso machine. I'll be using the same course grind and a French Press to prepare the brew. Espresso shots deteriorate quickly (within seconds of being pulled unless they land in some dairy) and become bitter. If you've ever had a mocha or latte that's really bitter, it's generally because the barista pulled your shots, let them sit while they did some other shit, then went back to your drink and dumped the shots into whatever concoction they were making for you; leaving you w/a bitter tasting beverage. You'd also notice that within a shot of espresso, you'll have 'layers' that include the crema, the body, and the heart... but pulling espresso shots leaves you will a 'brew' that is w/o the traditional layers of rich oil found floating on top that provides so much of a coffee's flavor, richness and aroma.


Italian Blend.... It's dark, strong, and has flavor notes that include dark cocoa and toasted marshmallow. It's actually a darker roast than the espresso blend, which allows it to stand up better to heavy additions such as heavy creme (which Italians are known for using in their coffees). Plus how can a coffee that offers toasted marshmallow as a flavor profile not be spot on for mixing w/heavy whipped creme and Irish Whiskey???

S.O. Guatemalan.... This is kinda the contrast that I'm not really sure is going to work well, but if I don't try I'll never know. It's a medium roast, but I'll still prepare it 'strong' in terms of coffee/water ratio in the brewing process. This coffee is known for its floral aromatics and flavor notes that include some mild citrus paired w/dark chocolate. Again, this is not a coffee that I'd normally seek out (I'm not a fan of citrus and floral in my coffee or blond roast type coffees), but we're just going to see if by chance the contrast provides balance to the other flavor profiles of the drink.

Got to run for a couple of minutes, but when I come back I'll knock out the second half of this post and share the whiskies that I'll be sampling

 

Ok, now the whiskies...

I'll be sampling/pairing (3) Irish Whiskies w/the above coffees, and they are Jameson, Bushmills, and Tullamore D.E.W.

While there are regional differences and preferences between Jameson and Bushmills when it comes to Irish Whiskies, there are also many other characteristics and differences w/each brand when it comes to flavor, mouthfeel, aromas, etc...

So here's what to expect w/each of these three and why they have been chosen to be a part of the testing process.


Jameson: A triple distilled blend of pot still and grain whiskies. It's kinda the 'classic' for us here in America... and brings an expectation of pepper, spicy wood, and some light floral/citrus notes...

Bushmills: So, Bushmills is a combination of malt and grain whiskies. It has more of a resemblence to many blended Scotch whiskies (some even thinnk it carries some peatiness with it). Its flavor profiles bring an expectation of grain, barley, honey, vanilla with light fruity and citrus aromatics. To me, Bushmills is a bit more complex than the other 2...

Tullamore D.E.W: Is a 'triple blended' whiskey that's a bit less complex than Bushmills. It has stronger fruit aromas than the other two and flavor profiles that include toffee, caramel, light citrus and barrel wood. It's also here because when Irish Coffee recipes recommend a specific Irish Whiskey, this seems to be the go-to. I'm guessing because it's a bit easier to drink than a malty/peaty Bushmills or a spicy/peppery Jameson


Hang on a minute... since all of these whiskies have some layer of fruit or citrus within their flavor profiles, that Guatemalan coffee may pair better than I was expecting


Ok, next up.... The recipes, beginning of the selection process, and some of the methods and reasoning behind my madness

 

Recipes for Irish Coffee are pretty basic for the most part...

They call for coffee, Irish whiskey, whipped cream and brown sugar.

Some variations call for the use of Irish Creme liquor (such as Bailey's) and in these recipes the sugar is either omitted or significantly reduced.

So in my testing process, I'll be using homemade whipped cream and homemade brown sugar (I did not know this, but apparently brown sugar is made w/molasses which ties back to some of our coffee and whiskey flavor profiles...

In creating the 'perfect' Irish Coffee, the first part of my selection process will be finding the perfect pairing of coffee to whiskey. At this point, I will not be worrying about any of the other ingredients. I just want to find the absolute best balance possible between the 2 main ingredients before adding anything else.

Yes, I understand that the sugar and the cream will offer some 'balance' to the drink, but I'm looking at this from a perspective of, 'if I can find the perfect pairing of the two main ingredients and then just 'tap the rails' a bit w/the remaining ingredients to reach the pinnacle of balance and flavor in the drink, then I'll have a better chance of being successful with the end product. No different than seasoning your food or brightening up your dish w/a nice hit of acid (such as lemon, lime or grapefruit juice) to bring the dish to life....

So, the plan is to 'brew' (french press) each coffee (one at a time) and then make (3) drinks w/that particular coffee (one w/each whiskey) and identify the winner(s); and then repeat w/the other 2 coffees...

I'm thinking that after sampling these 9 pairings, I should be able to identify the best 3 or 4 combinations of coffee and whiskey that will move on to the next round

 

Shit's gotten fancy since I took my Mixology class back in 1992... I just looked up the recipe we were taught for Irish Coffee and it's:

1 1/2oz Irish Whiskey
Coffee
Pour into a Veno (large wine glass) and top with whipped cream. Sprinkle top with green Creme De Menthe. Garnish with a cherry.

 

No. Your school failed you.

 

Yeah, I was a little surprised when I looked at the recipe and saw the creme de menthe with the cherry. I'm gonna blame Nirvana for fucking up everyone's taste back then.

 

This is only the beginning for your next career. I can see it now, bar owner who only makes craft cocktails. And the first lesson is that the customer isn't always right.

 

camp at Merus Adventure park. With Texas 1st gens.

 

Looks pretty sic! Hope yall have a blast wheelin and drinkin this weekend.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DARt2GySQwS/?igsh=MTN3ZzgwNWI3NmEwaw==

 

For all you baseball fans out there.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-vEiGDp0SE/?igsh=MWlvN2NxaDI5Nzdlbg==

 

Just your average Dbacks fan.

 

Um, I believe the average Dbacks fan actually has another team they normally cheer for and prefer over the Dbacks but choose to also support the local team… but yes, they do catch the ball, baby, and beer like that.

 

The new triple from ORB released today. Gravity Games. After one, I'm done. I guess they named it aptly. Gravity is winning...

 

Finally got some comet photos tonight

 

Sure did. it was a blast. good fun good people

 

Bon appetit:

 

New Icon slap for the ammo cabinet.

Cheers.

 

It has been quiet around here lately.

Saw this on the road today.



(Insert laughs and funny posts…)

 

Got my beer, got my chair. Aint got no more friends in pasadena. Luckily everyones moved out of this shithole.

Ok, got one. I think i might want a scooter.


Something that i could pack in the truck & ride around town, or to get help, or to scout a trail.

what am i looking for? Foldable, powerful, would prefer gas, but if electric, like 15-20 mile range & 30mph.

just look at how happy this guy is.

 

fat chicks and scooters; fun to ride until your friends see you on one...

 

My friends would finally be able to keep up with me.

 

Is this the same guy? Who lets this guy model scooters? Is this how scooter people show enjoyment? They're just terrified all the time like those crackhead chihuahuas?

 

Btw, not worried about safety. My aux plan is a set of these. But with a hydraulic pump from a garden tractor.

 

I'm not sure your pup would fit in the basket...

 

They call those 'black widow' lifts cuz there's an app for them your spouse or significant other can download to... you know... provide assistance

 

Happy College Football day yall!

Been having some fun this week so I have been distracted to say the least...


Couple quick updates.

We have fireflies right now... this isnt the season for them and I was not expecting them, but we saw bats and fireflies last night. Kinda cool. Here is a terrible pic becuase they are hard to capture:




Also, wife tried the viral pumpkin kid photo... he did not approve



So i gave him a bath and saved him...



Thats all for now, back to working on cleaning some things up and clearing the ol mind!

Hope yall are doing great!