The cavalier eccentricities of my youth fade further into oblivion. I don’t drink, smoke cigarettes, or take unprescribed drugs. I get up early, exercise daily, and try to watch what I eat (unless it’s Girl Scout Cookie season). Save for the occasional cigar with the guys, I’ve nearly zero vices left to exploit. But I do have one Death Wish.
In 2014 artistic wild man Joey Feldman introduced me to Death Wish Coffee. Joey swore by the stuff and routinely gassed up on it before attacking his canvases. Back then, I worked 16-hour days on music videos and drank so much Starbucks I’d go to bed grinding my teeth into dust. “Not with this stuff,” Joey promised, and he was right.
I switched from drinking five or six mermaid drip and cold brews to one French press of Death Wish. I would still crush each production day, then sleep without one Starbucks shimmy or shake. For years Death Wish Coffee was my jet fuel. Then came the pandemic. With no long days, I switched to tea and the occasional boujee brew that came with a take-out meal.
Now I’m a mere four chapters away from finishing Deconstructing the Boogieman. I’m on a mission and want anything to keep me focused and motivated. So I’m back to the old bean and loving it. Note that Death Wish’s kick doesn’t come from added caffeine. It’s all about the quality of beans and roasting time. That’s why I can crash out at the end of the day and not stare at the ceiling worrying about chipping a tooth.
The dark roast flavor is a bitter-sweet chocolate which I prefer cutting with cream or milk. It’s best when hot, tending to turn sour as it cools. It amazes me how a couple of morning cups get me through a whole day, which never happens with other brands. So now I’m even cutting my coffee consumption, which technically means this Death Wish is a healthy choice.
This has been my favorite coffee for the past 5 years. xo
Influential old school Charles Bronson flick.