Costa Rica Alajuela

Volcan Azul
Anaerobic Natural L28

Microlot Coffee

Notes: Chocolate covered Blackberry, Plum, Date, Rose

Roast: Light (City +)

Varietal: SL28

Elevation: 1600 masl

Process: Anaerobic Natural

Farmer: Alejo Castro

This is our fourth lot from Volcan Azul and it is an absolute show stopper! I've had the pleasure of brewing this coffee at two different pop ups. One in Albuquerque and one in Milwaukee. Like clock work this lot often makes sippers have a double take. The cup is sweet and inviting, silky and gorgeous. Often found in anaerobic processed coffees are the typical notes of graphite and boozy chocolate. NOT the case with Alejo's process. This cup is pure blackberry paleta silk!

SL28 is a varietal that is gathering popularity in the industry and for good reason. With consistent beautiful fruitforward cups as its calling card it is easy to see why. I was curious to how Alejo came across this varietal and here is what he had to say,"We have tested over 40 varieties at Volcan Azul, some of them really successful like Geisha, SL28, some Hybrids but some others that after a few years of testing we decided not to continue planting them. Our main criteria to select a variety is quality, even if the variety is more challenging to manage, for example the SL28 is more susceptible to the leaf rust, we decided to continue working with them because the quality is exceptional. However, this process takes time, I got the SL28 in 2012, we had the first cupping in 2016 and decided to make bigger plantations in 2018."

Today we get benefit from this forward thinking producer and reap the rewards of his work. This lot is hands down my absolute favorite coffee to come across the table this season. Enjoy it while you can, as always with exceptional things in life, it is very limited.