Panama Esmeralda Private Collection Geisha Washed

About Panama Esmeralda Private Collection Geisha Washed

Arrived July 2024 in vacuum packages by airfreight direct from the producer. Supply, as always, is limited.

Panama Esmeralda Private Collection Geisha represents a bargain in one of the world's most expensive and sought after coffees - Hacienda La Esmeralda Special - which is sold only through privately held, international auctions for roasters. Each year for the past several years, Hacienda Esmeralda has held a private auction of their prized Geisha varietal, each Esmeralda Special lot coming from a specific plot of land on their farm. Altogether there is not much coffee, only about 20,000 pounds, which must fill a big demand from all corners of the world (this may sound like a lot but is only half of one shipping container). Competition for the coffee is fierce and prices go very high. Their 2024 auction fetches average price per pound (green) of well over $200.

Fortunately, for the past decade or so Esmeralda has released their "second coffee", the 100% Panama Esmeralda Private Collection Geisha. As in the wine world where the second wine of the very top chateaux are fabulous wines in their own right, still costly but a relative bargain. Lafite-Rothschild has its Lafite Rothschild Carruades de Lafite; Chateau Latour its Les Forts de Latour. These wines would be great in anyone's book, but they are withheld, often for a tiny detail, from being in the rarified top lot. The same holds true for Esmeralda Private Collection Geisha. This is a wonderful coffee, exhibiting much of the same lovely jasmine, floral and lemony tones witnessed in the auction lots but at less than the price. Private Collection Geisha has crept up in price too and is difficult to acquire. It still represents an excellent value considering its flavors and pedigree.

There is only a very limited supply of this coffee too. It comes from three growing plots on the Hacienda Esmeralda farm which range in altitude from 1450 to 1800 meters (4750 to 5910 feet).  The plot we have selected this year is their Jaramillo lot, which is often where their top and winning lots come from.  At this price, Panama Esmeralda Private Reserve Geisha may not casually seem a bargain, but it is considerably less than half the price of its sibling and almost the same taste experience. We really feel that the Geisha varietal is well represented in this coffee and that you will thoroughly enjoy it.

We visited Esmeralda in June 2024 and spent some enjoyable hours cupping there.  Barry has enjoyed a long relationship with the Peterson family.  Price, the company founder, along with his wife Susan, has been a great influence in the specialty coffee industry and in Boquete in particular.  Their son Daniel is credited with the re-discovery of the Geisha variety nearly two decades ago and is involved in day to day farm management while their daughter Rachel oversees sales and marketing.  Their coffee is vibrantly sought after internationally. 

Naturally, every detail of growing and processing has been done at the farm to produce this fine, washed coffee. The finished green beans just arrived at our warehouse in vacuum packed boxes, ready for you to roast and enjoy.

Cup Characteristics: Very lush and delicate sweet floral notes, especially Jasmine and coffee blossom, with pronounced lemon-lime citrus acidity. Generously fruit filled and light candy flavors. Soft, lush, refined and light chocolate mouthfeel. A coffee with obvious pedigree and extremely approachable.

Roasting Notes: Keep it light and we recommend pulling this roast just after first crack or extending development time with low to no heat for 60-90 seconds. Depending on the roaster you use and its controls, it is good to ramp up quickly. On a Behmor, this means P1. This will best preserve the delicate Geisha citrus and fruit flavors, which can be masked if roasted darker.

Rachel and Daniel Peterson