SWAN SONG - Colombia

Colombia, Quindio Varietal: Castillo Process: Washed (Cherry Co-ferment) Altitude: 1,400 - 1450masl

Cherry Tangfastics, Dr Pepper, Cherry Liquor

Santa Mónica is a specialty coffee farm in Armenia, Quindío, Colombia, managed by Jairo Arcila. Under his leadership, the estate has transformed into a hub for innovative coffee processing , notably producing a Castillo washed coffee with added fresh cherries that yields a highly complex, nectar-like sweetness. The farm sits at 1450 to 1500 metres above sea level and benefits from volcanic ash soil , with meticulous post-harvest practices that include a 48 hour dry anaerobic fermentation and 10 days of controlled drying. His success has been closely tied to a collaboration with Cofinet, a company that has helped bring this unique lot to the specialty market. This partnership, combined with the use of the rust-resistant Castillo variety, has not only provided greater economic stability for smallholder farmers but also empowered the operation to pursue an environmentally sustainable footprint by naturally purifying all processing wastewater through a green filtration system.

This washed Castillo from Dark Arts Coffee showcases the Quindio region of Colombia through a cherry co-ferment process. Grown at 1400–1500 masl by Santa Mónica, the lot balances the varietal's inherent characteristics with the fermentation technique's influence. The roaster identifies prominent cherry notes alongside cocoa-forward sweetness and subtle licorice hints, creating a profile that feels both fruit-driven and structurally complex. This combination suggests how processing decisions can amplify or redirect a varietal's natural expression, making it an interesting reference point for understanding how regional conditions and technical choices converge.