HemiSam

I don't have channeling issues very often. I do have to play with the grind setting as I purchase new coffee, or adjust a smidge as the beans age but these are very minor tweaks to grind setting (well less than one tick on the Niche). I pre-infuse with the Lelit Bianca at 2 bar for roughly four seconds and then swing the paddle for higher pressure until the gauge hits 9 bar. Seems to work pretty well. One thing I have concluded is I can torture myself with a less roasted bean trying to hit the sweet spot for espresso or I can purchase a bean clearly roasted for espresso (plenty dark) and make my life much easier hitting my marks. Much darker notes on the heavily roasted beans so it's a taste thing. HS

I think the First Omega in Space is a great size, especially if you're a fan of manual winds. I wasn't a huge fan of the lambskin strap so I had a custom alligator one made by the shop that makes the original lambskin ones so the fitment is spot on and the deployant clasp I requested is more to my liking. I agree...shame the Ed White is silly money. Sexy beast... HS

That is chub chub material...thanks for posting, TMoney! HS

This is the one I purchased, but it appears they are out of stock. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1103111404/shot-nanny-elegant-bottomless?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details I saw this one in the feed that looks like it could be the same. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1205499848/espresso-shot-coffee-mirror-50mm-2?click_key=3ea59f7c4e3dca25744ec94a5a9c03a6578bc067%3A1205499848&click_sum=eff1b793&ref=sold_out-6 HS

One of my smarter purchases in support of the espresso maker is a small mirror that is magnetic and rotates. I place it on the espresso maker next to my scale so I have a clear view of the portafileter screen so I can see the stream coming together, etc... Money well spent IMHO. I found it on Etsy and I'm happy to provide a link if anyone is looking for one. HS

This one turned 50.... HS

Godspeed, Christine. Thank you for many a fine song... HS

One thing I started doing after the espresso machine acquisition is placing a couple of small pieces of masking tape between the rotating rings/parts so I could see if they were drifting (require recalibration) given I use the Niche for pour over in the morning and for espresso after lunch. YMMV... HS

On the Niche for espresso machine shots I'm between 9 and 11 depending on the bean and the age of the coffee. I don't clean my Niche that often. When I do, I simply disassemble to get the burr related parts out and use the provided brush. HS

Godspeed, Mssr. Clary... Seminal show for me as a puppy... HS

Godspeed Keith Levene. Founding member of the Clash and member of Public Image... https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63611757 HS

That's the 392 motor in there...should have offered it years ago....saweet!!! HS

^ fun show...we've enjoyed it. I would recommend but would note that a few of the episodes go down some odd path...truly. I would not let that keep me from watching assuming one likes sports centric themes. HS

Godspeed, Coolio… HS

The only thing I'm doing with a darker roast is espresso. It makes using the espresso maker much easier, but I do find it can be a bit much...the heavy caramelization, etc... from an espresso roast. Whereas I have to fight a light/medium roasted Ethiopian to get great espresso, but boy is the result lovely when I do nail it. Gotta love first world problems... HS

Couldn't agree more, gents. Coffee is a personal thing and I say you do you...whatever delicious means to the driver...how can one go wrong? Some of what Mr. Hoffman puts on video has worked as a guide and some I found way too nuanced to be worth the climb. I do enjoy mixing it up my coffee making between the Chemex, the espresso maker (love me a cappuccino / flat white / latte), and on rare occasion these days going back to the French press I used exclusively for several years. The biggest things I have found to make a difference that I can meaningfully identify is quality coffee, type of roast and measuring. Crap in and I get crap out...simple enough. I also prefer a light/medium roast for pour overs... HS

Steve, Please accept my sincere condolences. It looks as if you were a very good friend and mentor. Godspeed, Shaun.... Sam

Depends on the pour. Mostly I drink on ice but for stuff like the Zafra 30 I'll go neat...it deserves the respect. Just needs about 20 min's to air properly IMO. HS

Godspeed, Matt...and best friend. Please accept my sincere condolences for your losses, Brent. Sam

At a neighbor's house and he brought this out for me Friday. Tasty.... He's been a good friend for a long while and surprised me with a nice gift of the Foursquare for a milestone thing. I have not tried it yet...a lot going on there. HS

That's great value for money IMO, n_maher. You can't go wrong. There are some nice rums, Opthimus. 15 yr is good for starters and they go up. I avoid the ones finished in casks other than oak as I find them to be a bit much...there's already a lot going on. Cheers! HS Very nice naamanf! The Barbadian I was sipping on late last week is the Gregarious Grump 16 yr. It's a lot of ABV for me personally. Sourced from FourSquare...they're good but way proud of their products IMHO. I have a bottle of the Grander...it's good. I'm not a big Abuelo fan, but if you can get your hooks in the Panama Pacific 23-yr I think you will not be disappointed. HS

I think we are in the wrong thread…lol i like Panamanian rums very much. Used to love Venezuelan rums as well (four and a half years down there), but quality can be an issue. Diplomatico Ambassador is very good but not worth the $$$ IMHO. Love Zafra 21. Zafra 30 is nectar from the gods…. Flor de Cana 18 is great value for $$$. The 25 is good but not great. I have a lot of rum… HS

I'm chuckling. My coffee doesn't come close to my rum... HS

I drink good coffee on the weekends. 30gr drip in morning and 20gr espresso in the afternoon. One day it will be good coffee everyday 😙 HS

They pissed me off but good a few years ago when they went to the Neimann Marcus packaging and lowered the amount of coffee, n_maher. Stopped buying altogether until I went back recently...this was my second order in years. I agree it's pricey but damn they do a good job choosing and roasting beans... HS