Woolloomooloo - Toby's Estate
Welcome to the Espresso Idiot's review of the Woolloomooloo Blend available at Toby's Estate. This is one of the espresso blends featured at Toby's from time to time, and as it is normally available in bean or ground form to take home, you can normally taste it if you are considering buying some of the beans to take home. It'll be free if you actually buy some beans to take home we understand. At $2.00 per shot, this espresso comes with a very reasonable price tag.
"Toby's Woolloomooloo Blend is a full bodied espresso that is not to be taken lightly. This blend packs quite a punch, and should not taken in shot form unless you are looking for powerful tastes, and an unashamedly strong espresso. It was such a refreshing change from the mediocre, bland, and boring espresso so often proffered for consumption under the guise of gourmet espresso."
Espresso Idiot, 20 October 2006.
Summary Information
Overall Score: Another superb espresso blend from Toby's. This is a full bodied espresso, not commonly found in espresso houses in the antipodes. A must try. 9 out of 10.
Presentation: Very good in all respects. The espresso shot was viscous, a great texture. 8 out of 10.
Bean Type: 100% arabica. Well selected, blended, and roasted aged beans for extra valour. 9 out of 10.
Crema: An even, thick crema. Caramel coloured, has an oily look to it, but very inviting. 9 out of 10.
Aroma: Strong aroma promising a tasty espresso. Pungent aromatic full bodied smell. Nice. 9 out of 10.
Taste: A powerful full bodied espresso. Very fruity flavours that make you sit up and take notice. Acidic, sharp taste, with plenty of power, but no unplesant bitterness. 9 out of 10.
Review
Toby's Estate has produced a superb blend available as an inhouse espresso in this Woolloomooloo blend. Named after the first (and some say this is Toby's Head Quarters) store Toby's opened in Sydney, this blend is reputedly made from aged beans to give it extra flavour, and contribute to the full bodied flavour of this brew. The Woolloomooloo blend is avaialble to take home in both bean or ground form. This review is concerned only with the espresso that was purchased and consumed in house at Toby's of this blend.
The beans were, of course, freshly ground for my shot. The shots are prepared right by the counter, so for thems that want to watch masters at work, you can. The barista staff are skilled, and prepared my shot without hesitation, delay, and without any of the common features of poorly prepared espresso around Sydney. The machine appeared to be calibrated correctly for the duration of the shot, and there was no spillage or spray from the shot at all. All too often one needs to wipe the cup before you can start tasting your shot - annoying and shows poor form. Not so here, here the espresso was prepared top notch.
The first thing that I noticed about this shot was the aroma that hit me from the outset. As I pulled the shot closer to me from where it was placed on the table, the wafting smell hit my nose and really let me have it. Next up was the actual sampling of the smell from off the shot and it really let me have it that time. There was no mistaking that this espresso meant business, and that a full bodied espresso lay in wait, packing punch in the taste department. There was an earthy hint to the aroma that was very inviting, I knew what to expect and was ready for it.
Next up I examined the crema that totally covered the surface of the shot. The crema was very thick, caramel coloured, and it had an oily sheen to it that was unusual. Fantastic looking cema and I couldn't wait to get stuck into it. I would expect that this would mix well with milk, however to be honest I wouldn't necessarily want this one with milk as it looked so good as an espresso shot. As near to full marks for the crema as I have given so far. Wonderful.
The taste from this espresso is well indicated by the aroma and crema, and you are well and truly ready for it when it comes on. This is important as this is a full bodied espresso, that is very powerful and fruity. The first impression that this espresso made on me when I took it into my mouth was the intensity of the flavour and the powerful punch that this blend created on the palate. The espresso coated the tongue and stuck to it, with the flavours hitting the sides and rear of the tongue. There was an acid taste, but no bitterness. The power of the taste was fantastic, and it lingered in the mouth.
This espresso is a must for anyone looking for a full bodied espresso at Toby's. So far, this is the most powerful espresso that I have tried at Toby's and I liked it very much. It wasn't overpowering, it just had a very powerful taste with an acid hint to it. Wonderful, and a must for anyone visiting Toby's. Great marks for the roasting, blending, and selection that went into this one. Aged beans or not, this certainly delivers on the promised strong full bodied espresso.