25th Anniversary Coffee - Colombia

To mark our 25th anniversary, we wanted a coffee that truly stood apart, one that reflects the level of quality and dedication we've championed since day one. We chose to work with Finca Cultivares in Huila, Colombia and producer Santiago Noriega, whose ambition and willingness to experiment with processing consistently pushes what's possible in the cup. This Pink Bourbon does exactly that, an exceptional, layered coffee with a complexity of flavour that rewards close attention, from lychee and blackberry compote through to cardamom, crème brûlée and magnolia. It's a coffee that stands out from the crowd, and a fitting way to celebrate 25 years of seeking out the exceptional.

Finca Cultivares is a specialty coffee farm in Huila, Colombia, owned and operated by Santiago Noriega. Situated in the country's high altitude coffee growing region, the farm specializes in rare varieties and innovative processing, with a small, hands on team overseeing every stage of production. Quality, traceability, and environmental responsibility sit at the core of its approach.

For this lot, ripe cherries are hand harvested and floated to remove defective fruit, then undergo a sealed 80 hour anaerobic fermentation followed by a 24 hour oxidation rest in an opened tank. The coffee is then parabolically solar dried for 22 days. This multi stage process results in a complex, tropical and nuanced flavour profile.

To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Clifton Coffee Roasters presents this special release from producer Santiago Noriega in the Huila region of Colombia. This lot showcases the Pink Bourbon varietal, a hybrid known for its distinct appearance and complex cup profile. By utilizing an anaerobic fermentation method, the producer has influenced the final character of the bean, resulting in a profile defined by notes of lychee, blackberry compote, cardamom, crème brûlée, and magnolia.

Anaerobic processing often pushes the boundaries of traditional cup profiles, frequently introducing heightened acidity and unconventional, intense aromatics. When exploring such unique coffees, it can be helpful to reference a flavor wheel to better categorize the intricate layers of fruit and spice present in the cup. This release serves as a testament to the evolving techniques in Colombian coffee production and the roaster's commitment to sourcing exceptional, high-character lots.