Colombia - La Reserva (Anaerobic Honey)

A unique honey-processed Castillo from Nariño, showcasing a buttery mouthfeel, floral top notes, and balanced fruitiness.

La Reserva is situated in a stunning nature reserve, home to various species, including Andean bears, butterflies, frogs, snakes, monkeys, and ocelots.

Producer and Region

This coffee comes from Antioquia, a coffee region stretching up and down the steep mountains of the Western Range of the Andes. The area benefits from ideal coffee-growing conditions, including altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2000 m, a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees and abundant rainfall.

In 2018, Juan Felipe Ocampo saw potential in this old coffee farm with its high-altitude and fertile lands and bought it. He revitalised this beautiful farm, named it La Rerserva and now grows varieties like Tabi, Bourbon, Chiroso, Geisha and more.

"La Reserva" is named for the nature reserve, where more than 70% of the land (340 hectares) is a protected natural reserve, home to various species, including Andean bears, butterflies, frogs, snakes, monkeys, and ocelots. The farm has two Manantial water sources used for all production processes without contamination. Once the water is used, it is then cleaned before returning to its source.  

Variety

Caturra Chiroso is a unique coffee variety that has gained significant attention in Colombia for its exceptional qualities. Originating from the Caturra variety, the Chiroso variety is known for its elongated beans and a flavour profile that includes bright acidity, floral notes, and a pronounced sweetness, often described as having hints of tropical fruit and jasmine. 

Processing

For this lot the coffee is harvested at its optimal point of ripeness and then the coffee is fermented in its cherry inside bags for 36 hours, pulped and fermented anaerobically in 200-litre sealed containers for 96 hours before being dried for approximately 8 days.

Flavour

It's a very delicate and intriguing profile. It is rich, smooth, almost buttery like mouthfeel, with the sweet and floral notes from honey and blossom. All this is backed up with some solid, well integrated fruitiness.