hopkin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 129 Location: Vancouver, Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Synesso Drip: Clover
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2005, 3:09am Subject: Esmeralda Special
Hacienda La Esmeralda, Panama This rare coffee set an auction record when it sold for $21 dollars a pound green wholesale on June 29th, 2004. It placed first in the "Best of Panama" cupping competition in April with a score of 95.6 out of 100 and first in the Rainforest Alliance "Cupping for Quality," on March 14-15, 2004.
We have about 3 pounds of Esmeralda fresh roasted by John Sanders of Hines Public Market Coffee - and we will be brewing it complementary all weekend, and every weekday at 5pm, until there is no more.
this coffee is not for sale!
Alistair Durie The Elysian Room 1778 West 5th Avenue @ Burrard Street
jim_schulman Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 3,772 Location: Chicago Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2005, 3:45am Subject: Re: Esmeralda Special
I'm a moderator, and in that role, this post may be a commercial come on ...
But I'm also a coffee lover, and this come on ain't spam; it's pate foie gras. I had some of the Esmeralda Geisha last year; and it could be the best coffee I've ever had -- a great Ethiopian varietal prepped to Panamanian standards of excellence.
If you're in the vicinity, get over there and try it. And if the cafe makes some extra money from the traffic; well, sometimes the free lunch is so good, we don't mind it ain't free.
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 4,663 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2005, 10:05am Subject: Re: Esmeralda Special
Alistair told me his plan last night, which I thought was amazing.
This is a post I'd definitely let slide - a once in a lifetime kinda thing for vancouverites for sure.
And you know, now that I come to think about it a bit... in a way, he did kinda "buy adspace" as well.
Alistair gave me as a gift, an amazing, perfect gift for someone like me. He gave me a Taylor Fladgate 30 year old tawny bottle last night. I don't even know how he got a hold of it - BC Liquor is not importing ANY 30 year old tawny. You should have seen my eyes bug out. I've only ever had a 30 year old tawny once, and it was in a bar from a bottle that had been open for gawd knows how long (it was very flat). I'm just overwhelmed.
And on top of that, he gave me enough of the Esmeralda to brew a 5 cupper vacpot with this morning (mmmmm!) which Beata and I are enjoying as I type.
Folks, haul your butts down to his cafe to give this extremely generous coffee a try. He's doling out roughly $190 worth (retailed priced) coffee gratis, and that's if you buy the stuff yourself and brew at home. At "Service" prices, some of the Esmeralda cafe buyers have been selling it for $9 a cup or more!
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2005, 10:45pm Subject: Re: Esmeralda Special
I dropped into the ER today to pick up my weekly stash of beans. Alistair was kind enough to let me enjoy a complimentary cup of this ridiculously expensive coffee. I was VERY impressed. I am not a coffee professional (I have never even "cupped" coffee before), so I cannot wax on about the nuances of the underlying flavors, but I can say that this certainly was an incredible tasting beverage. The best way I can describe it is "extremely smooth".
I strongly urge Vancouver area geeks to head down to try this stuff before it is all gone. The ER also offers other beans roasted by Hines. I have been indulging in Hines espresso blend for a few weeks now, and absolutley love it. I have also been enjoying some single origins using a french press and vac pot. Earlier tonight, I made a press brew using a wonderful Niceraguan organic fair trade bean. It went down very well with a few pieces of Lindt "85% cocoa" dark chocolate. Between the coffee and the chocolate, I am probably going to be up all night. Other Hines beans that I have recently enjoyed include a Guatemalan and my favorite (so far) a Costa Rican.
Alistair - thanks again for giving me a chance to sample a coffee that I would probably never be willing to pay the going rate for.
vinoboy Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 121 Location: steveston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Espresso Grinder: Rocky Doser Vac Pot: na Drip: French Press Roaster: PI and PII
Posted Sun Jun 26, 2005, 4:32pm Subject: Re: Esmeralda Special
I too was lucky enough to get a sample cup of the Esmerelda. It was a terrific cup of coffee, and the staff at the Elysian room were very friendly and we had a good chat about the coffee, and the Hines espresso beans I picked up.
The Esmeraleda was a deep, rich coffee (two rules, according to the staff: no milk and no sugar).
Without a doubt the smoothest, best cup of black coffee I have ever had.
bradinvancouver Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2004 Posts: 165 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: LM GB5(anyone need an... Grinder: LM Swift/Mazzer Major Drip: Fetco coming soon/Capresso... Roaster: Gothot from afar
Posted Tue Jun 28, 2005, 7:14am Subject: Re: Esmeralda Special
Alistair,
Thanks a bunch for this awesomely generous gesture. That was a fabulous cup of coffee (and you say the batch before was even better??), really makes a case for marketing more like wine.
If it's not too late, you should set aside 12 grams for your next cupping, not warn anyone and wait for a reaction...
hopkin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 129 Location: Vancouver, Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Synesso Drip: Clover
Posted Thu Oct 6, 2005, 3:30am Subject: Re: Esmeralda Special
Today we have received a special shipment of Panama auction lot coffees from Hines Public Market Coffee. Esmeralda Special and Carmen Estate, farms who won the #1 and #3 spot in the Best of Panama 2005 cupping event. In auction they sold for $20.10 and $8.60 respectively.
Come over to the Elysian and ask for a press pot of these top rated rare coffees.
Its on us.
The last turnout for this offer was so small, I don't think more than 3-4 people for the whole week, even though we had a write-up posted in the store. Where are all the coffee connoisseurs in this city?
Alistair Durie Elysian Coffee 1778 West 5th Avenue
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