Uncommon · Brazil Cerrado

Shot 2 on this Uncommon Brazil Cerrado — you jumped from the failed grind 35.5 (choked immediately) all the way to 41.5, and the machine ran. 28 seconds, 25.8g yield, slightly bitter with no linger. The first shot was a failure, so this is your real baseline. You missed your ristretto target by 1.2g short on yield and ran longer than the 20–25s target window, but the extraction itself is readable.

Time is Normal at 28s. Ratio is Ristretto at 1.43 — you came in just under your 27g target. Balance 5 (slightly bitter) with no linger is a decent sign for a dark natural: the bitterness isn't compounding, it's just the roast character showing. Flow from edges-to-center with a late start at 12 seconds is healthy naked PF behavior — no channeling flag here. Lag was 5g this shot, consistent with this equipment and bean.

Dark natural from Cerrado at 10 days post-roast — you're right in the peak window for a dark roast, so freshness isn't a factor. Dark chocolate, walnut, dried fig profile is consistent with the slightly bitter, full-bodied read you got. Mellow acidity is also confirmed — no brightness to wrestle with here. This is a forgiving bean profile-wise; the question is whether the flavor actually appeals to you. Your note 'not sure I'm a fan' is worth taking seriously — dial it in one more shot before deciding.

Big grind jump (35.5 → 41.5) to escape a choke was the right instinct and landed you in a workable range on shot 2. That's solid recovery decision-making.