Panama — Lamastus Family Gesha

Tastes Like — 🍇 Sparkling Red Grape • 🍷 Chardonnay • 🫐 Wild Blackberry

DETAILS

• Producer: Lamastus Family
• Farm: El Burro Estate
• Region: Boquete, Panama
• Varietal: Gesha
• Process: ASD Natural (Anaerobic Slow Dry)
• Altitude: 1600–1700 masl
• Lot: #16
• Size: 100g

INTRO — Legendary Terroir Meets Bold Fermentation

The Lamastus Family name is synonymous with Panamanian coffee excellence. Since Robert Lamastus founded the first estate in 1918, the family has been at the forefront of quality coffee production, cultivating some of the most sought-after lots in the world. El Burro Estate, one of the southernmost coffee farms in Panama, represents the family's commitment to pushing boundaries whilst honouring exceptional terroir.

This lot showcases the Lamastus family's skill with bold, expressive fermentations that remain thoughtful and precise. Their Anaerobic Slow Dry (ASD) process amplifies El Burro's unique characteristics—volcanic soils, extreme elevation, virgin rainforest surroundings—creating a natural Gesha that's both powerful and elegant.

THE PRODUCER — Lamastus Family Estates & El Burro

The Lamastus Family Estates comprises four properties established across generations: Elida Estate (founded 1918), El Burro Estate (founded 1925), and the more recent Luito Geisha Estate and Trompo Geisha Estate. Each farm occupies a different microclimate in Panama's highlands, resulting in distinct flavour profiles that reflect their unique terroir.

El Burro Estate holds a particularly special position in the family's portfolio. Part of the farm lies within Baru Volcano National Park, where coffee trees grow at extreme elevations in young volcanic soils. The estate experiences remarkably low temperatures, a pronounced dry season (unlike other Lamastus properties), and heavy precipitation during the wet season—averaging 3,200mm annually. The farm is surrounded by virgin cloud forest, and the cold nights extend the cherry ripening period by an entire month, allowing for exceptional bean development.

These unique growing conditions—high elevation, volcanic soils, temperature extremes, pristine forest surroundings—combine to create a terroir that's virtually unmatched in the coffee world. When you add the Lamastus family's generations of experience and their willingness to experiment with innovative processing, the result is coffee that pushes the boundaries of what's possible.

Wilford Lamastus, who represents the latest generation of family leadership, has become known as one of specialty coffee's most genuine and passionate producers. His commitment to quality and innovation has earned the family numerous accolades and the trust of roasters worldwide.

THE PROCESS — Anaerobic Slow Dry for Maximum Expression

The Anaerobic Slow Dry (ASD) process is the Lamastus family's signature natural processing method, designed to enhance the coffee's inherent characteristics whilst adding layers of fermentation complexity. The technique is deceptively simple but requires precise control:

• 🍒 Selective Harvesting — Only fully ripe cherries are picked at peak maturity
• 🔬 Sealed Tank Fermentation — Whole cherries are placed in sealed anaerobic tanks
• ⏱️ Three-Day Slow Dry — Cherries dry slowly inside the sealed environment for 72 hours, allowing controlled fermentation whilst moisture is gradually removed
• ☀️ Completion of Drying — After the anaerobic phase, cherries complete drying to proper moisture levels

The sealed environment creates anaerobic conditions that encourage specific fermentation pathways, developing the coffee's fruit characteristics and adding complexity. The "slow dry" aspect prevents the rapid fermentation that can create overwhelming funky notes, instead producing a cleaner, more refined expression of natural processing.

THE CUP — Elegant Structure with Bold Fruit Expression

This is natural Gesha done with confidence—loud and expressive, yet structured and refined. The complexity unfolds gradually as the cup develops, revealing different layers of fruit and fermentation character that keep the experience dynamic from first sip to last.

Flavour Notes

• 🍇 Sparkling Red Grape — effervescent, juicy, with a subtle sparkle that adds vibrancy
• 🍷 Chardonnay — elegant, crisp, wine-like complexity in the opening notes
• 🫐 Wild Blackberry — darker fruit layers that emerge as the cup cools, adding depth and juiciness

The cup opens with an elegant, crisp quality reminiscent of a fine Chardonnay, then shifts into deeper, sparkling red grape notes with subtle effervescence. As the coffee cools, darker fruit layers emerge—wild blackberries adding depth and a lush, juicy quality to the experience. This is natural process coffee at its finest: expressive and fruit-forward without being overwhelming, complex without losing clarity. For lovers of bold natural coffees, this offers plenty of exciting flavours to explore from start to finish.