Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Cherry, Sugar

Variety: Colombia

Processing: Washed

Origin: Huila, Colombia

Producers: Hernan Montano

Altitude: 1650m

Cup Score (Importer): 87

Farm Size: 8 Hectares

Hernan and his wife Nancy have been farming at Los Laurales for 35 years, taking over the farm from Hernan's father. The land is located in Northern Huila on the east side of the Magdalena river, near the municipality of Palermo. It's said that this side of the river is more amenable to coffee than the other, with cooler temperatures contributing to slower, sweeter cherry development. Political unrest formerly made it difficult for anyone except large commercial coffee growers to operate in Palermo, but a truce negotiated in 2016 made the area much more accessible, which has allowed growers like Hernan to bolster Huila's already excellent reputation with his incredible coffees.

Hernan grows both Castillo and Colombia varietals on his farm, but this lot is exclusively Colombia. When we brew, we're picking up on bright, juicy blackberry and cherry notes that strike a great balance between sweet and tart. A more smooth, sugary sweetness is present as well - which we've come to count on with coffees from Huila. One of the great things about Colombia is how the coffees can be so different region to region, but all executed at an extremely high level. We're head over heels for this type of lot from Huila, and we hope you'll enjoy brewing along with us.