Progress

Finca El Paraíso, Diego Samuel Bermúdez's small family farm in Piendamó, Cauca, made headlines at Colombia's 2018 Cup of Excellence when its 10th-placed lot sold for twice the price of the winner. This Castillo uses the same double anaerobic fermentation as that lot: two anaerobic fermentations, then the farm's own "thermal shock" washing at 40°C and 12°C, and drying in its patented Eco-Enigma dryer. Juicy and floral with osmanthus, lychee, peach and strawberry.

Osmanthus, lychee, peach, strawberry, brown sugar

"The Standard", bought directly in February 2026 — only four bags exist. Luis Joaquín Lobo works exclusively with washed processing and places at Cup of Excellence year after year, again this year. Bright orange acidity and gentle sweetness, a round smooth texture and a long brown-sugar finish.

Orange, brown sugar, smooth, long aftertaste

Bought directly. Samuel Salaverría's El Cambalache took 1st place at Cup of Excellence Nicaragua 2025 and 1st at The Best of Maragogype 2026. Only ripe cherries are fermented anaerobically in the cherry for 24 hours, then again for 48 hours after pulping at 17–20°C to a final pH of 4.00, before 24 hours in direct sun and about 15 days on African beds.

Stone fruit, caramel, chocolate, almond

Bought directly by Progress's owner. El Jardín has been farmed by the same family for three generations since 1987; Luis's mother won 1st place at Cup of Excellence in 2006, and Luis has since spent years standardising anaerobic, aerobic and carbonic fermentations. This rare Pacamara is carbonic-macerated, borrowing a winemaking technique, for a lush, grape-and-berry aroma and dense sweetness.

Yellow peach, chamomile, grapefruit, brown sugar

Bought directly. Luis has spent years matching each variety to the best spot on his farm, producing coffees with red-fruit sweetness and remarkable cleanness. Roasted dark: roasted almond and milk chocolate with a silky body.

Roasted almond, milk chocolate, silky

Bought directly. Eduardo Guillén's Los Pirineos placed at Cup of Excellence 2025 and 14th at The Best of Maragogype 2026. Nicatopia is a new variety found as a single tree in the farm's Gesha plot and officially recognised in 2024. Pulped cherries ferment anaerobically for about 38 hours in sealed GrainPro bags, are washed in channels and slow-dried in shade. Elegant and balanced, with a nuance reminiscent of Ethiopian landraces.

Lime, almond, black tea

Bought directly. A young farm founded six years ago in Mozonte that placed 4th at Cup of Excellence with its very first harvest, 20th in 2024 and 14th in 2025. Carefully washed for a flavourful, aromatic cup of orange, cacao and spice.

Orange, cacao, spice