WHOLESALE - El Salvador Lagunetas Reserve

processing: washed  variety: pacas, bourbon  elevation: 1650m - 1750m

location: metapan

tasting notes: apricot, fresh apples and flowers

We’ve been working with our dear friend, Alejandro Valliente, for many years now and for those of you familiar with the Lagunetas coffees from Metapan, this is an annual offering we look forward to. This lot is exceptionally bright and lively, built from all the top microlots milled at Alejandro's mill cafenor, each scoring 86+. The cup here is bright and dynamic, layered with apricot, pink lady apples, navel orange and cane sugar.

Alejandro has worked closely with the producers in this Micro Region of El Salvador on our behalf for more than a decade. And two years ago he began working from his own mill, CafeNor, which is a world class, wet- processing, shade-drying and dry-milling export operation in the heart of Metapan. CafeNor is the only operation of its kind in northern El Salvador; Alejandro runs the entire mill on solar power and continues to provide extensive support to the producers in this community. We are honored to be the recipients of Alejandro’s expertise, hard work and dedication to the farmers in Metapan.

Four Barrel Coffee's El Salvador Lagunetas Reserve showcases the Pacas varietal from producer Alejandro Valliente in Metapan. This washed coffee emphasizes bright, stone-fruit character—apricot and navel orange leading into crisp apple notes, with floral undertones and subtle sweetness. The elevation of 1650–1750 masl contributes to the coffee's clarity and balance typical of higher-altitude Central American beans.

Pacas, a natural mutation known for clean, nuanced cup profiles, performs well in El Salvador's volcanic soils. The combination of careful washing and terroir delivers what Four Barrel describes as a refined, fruit-forward expression with cane sugar undertones—a profile suited to filter preparation that highlights acidity and complexity.