Colombia Finca Tamana SL28 | Washed

Elias Roa, the producer who owns Finca Tamana, is a very influential producer in Colombia, an innovator in coffee producing and variety diversity, but also in how he treats the people who work on his farm— notably, the people he employs to harvest the cherry. He has prioritized investing in improvements to the quality of life and living conditions of those he employs over that of the coffee and the farm. His coffees are exquisite, as is his legacy and success. He’s an inspiration to many in the coffee producing and roasting worlds alike. 

This lot is in fact a washed coffee, a shining example of clarity and refinement in expertly processed washed coffee. Especially notable is that the varietal is SL28. This is NOT common to the region, as SL28’s were developed in and for East African countries like Kenya most notably. SL28 is a highly regarded cultivar originally developed in Kenya in the 1930s by Scott Agricultural Laboratories—hence the “SL”. It’s prized across East Africa, especially in Kenya and Uganda, for its ability to thrive in high altitudes with limited rainfall, making it well-suited to the region’s diverse climates. Its status stems from its exceptional cup profile, and high scores in international tastings and auctions, making it a staple in specialty coffee circles and producers aiming for high scoring coffees. The variety is often characterized by its bright, wine-like acidity, rich mouthfeel, and very fruit forward profile characterized by notes of dark fruit, citrus, and tropical fruit. It can be susceptible to leaf rust, so it’s not the easiest coffee to grow, especially outside of Kenya, but well worth the efforts in a coffee like this. The convergence of the varietal expression with the Colombian terroir, makes for an exceptionally refined, well articulated cup. Look for notes of Grapefruit, rose hip florals and sweet peach ring candy in the cup. It’s juicy and vibrant, but not overly tart, notably sweet, balanced and nuanced, and dances the line of delicate and juicy.