Thanksgiving Turkey: Maple and Brandy Brined Turkey With Redeye Gravy - Coombs Family Farms

Ingredients

• 3 cups brandy
• 3 cups maple syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups kosher salt
• 4 bunches fresh thyme
• 8 bay leaves
• 1 gallon water plus 1 gallon ice water, reserved
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped sage
• 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped thyme
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (10- to 15-pound) fresh unprocessed turkey, rinsed and patted dry, giblets and neck removed
• 1 small bunch thyme
• 1 small bunch sage
• 1 large peeled shallot
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed with the flat side of a knife
• 5 tablespoons rendered bacon fat (a pound of bacon equals about 1 cup fat)
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups duck or chicken stock
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/3 cup brewed black coffee
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste