007 - Esmeralda Special

In 2004, Hacienda La Esmeralda and the Peterson family entered the first-ever 100% Gesha lot, dubbed Esmeralda Special, into the annual Best of Panama competition. They would not only win that year but break auction records with a bid of $21/lb and then consecutively break their own record in the years 2006 and 2007 with bids of up to $130/lb.

This abounding success led to deeper research into what had helped create this spectacular coffee, tracing it back to the seeds they had collected from CATIE (The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) in Costa Rica, which had travelled all the way from Ethiopia back in 1936.

Despite the reverence that it receives today, Gesha had spent 70 years growing undistinguished from other varieties, known for it’s disease-resistant properties, but with low-yield and poor performance at lower altitudes

It was the happenstance of perfect altitude and a unique micro-climate on Hacienda La Esmeralda that would reveal Gesha’s incredible profile and aromatics. It was the dedication and passion of the Peterson family, investing and developing the infrastructure needed to support superior lot separation and meticulous processing on the farm, that allowed Esmeralda Special to be consistently marked as the highest-quality coffee in the world, year after year.

Fast-forward to today and Gesha is now a house-hold name in the coffee industry and one of the most sought-after of all varieties. Esmeralda Special continues to be the most exceptional example of how amazing it can be. It is a groundbreaking coffee, it is the Gesha that started it all.

We are incredibly excited to have the opportunity of showcasing this dazzling coffee with you for the very first time as 007 in our Limited Release Rare series.

Orders will be packed and shipped at the beginning of next week.

The 007 - Esmeralda Special represents a pinnacle of production from Hacienda La Esmeralda in the Boquete region of Panama. As a Gesha varietal, this coffee is widely celebrated for its distinct profile, often characterized by exceptional floral aromatics and a tea-like clarity that sets it apart from other cultivars. When evaluating such complex profiles, many enthusiasts find it helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better articulate the nuanced sensory experience found in the cup.

Sourced and roasted by Colonna Coffee, this lot highlights the meticulous standards maintained by the producer. While general expectations for the Gesha variety often lean toward bright acidity and delicate sweetness, the specific character of this release reflects the unique terroir of its origin. It serves as a compelling example of how careful cultivation and precise roasting can elevate a single varietal to a world-renowned standard.