Whiskey Jack Tasting Set Dial

Whiskey Jack Tasting Set

Whiskey Jack as a tasting set is designed to embrace innovation and experimentation while preserving one of the foundational ways that coffee is processed. Unique and extreme fermentations exaggerate and highlight the fruit-forward characteristics of natural processing. The results challenge the norms of coffee while respecting its history.

You can expect complex, layered, and fruit-forward cups from this set that features two carbonic macerations and one yeast inoculated natural.

The experimental fermentation on these coffees causes them to brew quite quickly while still achieving high extraction percentages. We are recommending the Sibarist Fast filters for this set to maintain clarity and complexity, but you can expect faster than usual brew times, even for these unique filters. A sub-2:30 brew time on a Hario V60 was very normal for these coffees, and still delivered on well-extracted cups.

I recommend brewing these coffees in the following order: Interstellar, Enigma, Symmetry. You should find that transitioning from one to the next requires just a small adjustment finer, with Interstellar being the coarsest and Symmetry being the finest. I also recommend waiting just a little longer than usual to begin sipping these coffees. They really open up and reveal their complexity when they’re warm but not piping hot.

Finca Deborah Interstellar 

Dose: 20 g

Ratio: 1:17

Grind: Slightly Coarser than Neutral

Filter: Sibarist Fast

Brew Time: 2:10

Extraction: 20.5%

Sensory Description:

A well-dialed cup of Interstellar is bursting with fruit flavors. At first, you’ll experience a lemon-lime acidity that sparkles on the palate. This is followed by a strawberry syrup note, combining the slightly effervescent acidity yet syrupy sweetness of a fresh strawberry. The texture is quite juicy and reminds me of very ripe cantaloupe and watermelon candy. The sweet red berry note lingers pleasantly on the aftertaste.

Dialing Notes:

Under-extraction on Interstellar resulted in a cup that was a little thin compared to the juiciness of a well-dialed brew. It lacked some sweetness as well, reminding me more of strawberry sparkling water as compared to strawberry syrup. It did not present with the usual sharp acidity of other under-extracted cups, so I would recommend paying more attention to the texture and sweetness when evaluating your brew. If lacking in both, try grinding slightly finer for the next cup.

Over-extracted cups of Interstellar fell a little flat, robbing the coffee of its acidity and sparkling qualities. There was an abundance of cocoa-like notes that while still pleasant, are not the unique and complex fruit notes this coffee is capable of. In this instance, I recommend grinding a little coarser and trying again.

Finca Deborah Enigma 

Dose: 20 g

Ratio: 1:17

Grind: Slightly Coarser than Neutral 

Filter: Sibarist Fast

Brew Time: 2:10

Extraction: 20.1%

Sensory Description:

Well-extracted cups of Enigma are rich and decadent, a unique experience compared to the typical delicate and tea-like nature of Gesha coffee. While not overly bright, there is still a very noticeable blackberry and cherry-like tartness. However, these notes are very sweet like blackberry compote and cherry cola compared to their fresh fruit counterparts. An underlying note of port wine holds the cup together, making this coffee reminiscent of a dessert wine.

Dialing Notes:

Under-extraction on Enigma maintained more of its syrupy texture than I would have expected. It did, however, present with a very punchy acidity that leaned a little into sourness. Rather than the tart and sweet complexity of a blackberry, I perceived something more like lime juice right on the front of my palate immediately after sipping. In this case, I would grind finer for the next brew.

Over-extracted cups of Enigma had cocoa-like notes similar to over-extracted cups of Interstellar. The slightly drying sensation of cocoa powder combined with a muted sweetness was an indication that I needed to grind a little coarser to get less extraction.

Finca Deborah Symmetry 

Dose: 20 g

Ratio: 1:17

Grind: Slightly Finer than Neutral 

Filter: Sibarist Fast

Brew Time: 2:15

Extraction: 19.9%

Sensory Description:

Well-extracted cups of Symmetry are full of red- and dark-fruit complexity. You’ll get notes of light red wine like Pinot Noir, cherry limeade, and sangria. Mango nectar combines with darker fruits like dried plum and dates to create a permeating sweetness. You can expect a syrupy liqueur-like texture with a lingering red wine aftertaste.

Dialing Notes:

Under-extraction came across as a little thin and sour, pretty typical attributes of an under-extracted brew. Similar to Enigma, I detected some citrus acidity that didn’t have quite enough sweetness to make it feel complex and balanced. The fermentation on this coffee can make fruit notes very apparent, so be sure not to settle for unbalanced even though you’re detecting fruit. The cup should be bright and sweet at the same time.

Over-extracted cups of Symmetry were a little dull and papery, although they maintained some red fruit characteristics. The coffee was not as lively as I knew it could be, and also had a lingering chocolate syrup aftertaste, which while pleasant, was not the red wine flavor of a better extracted cup. In this instance, I would grind a little coarser for the next brew.

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