On the hunt for rare Colombian microlots
Here is something truly special from Colombia’s southern Pacific regions. We’ve traveled there in person to take part at a regional festival and auctions, carefully selecting exceptional, award-winning microlots from remote, conflict-affected communities. Purchased directly from farmers, including women, these coffees celebrate the remarkable diversity and unique character Cauca has to offer.
The goal behind introducing these microlots is to celebrate the best that Colombia has to offer while having positive social & environmental impact. We purchased these lots directly from farmers rebuilding livelihoods after conflict, at a regional festival and an Auction for Peace, where we cupped and selected competition-winning Geishas, Pink Bourbons and Caturra-Castillo lots. The idea is to celebrate the diversity of this region's coffee by going to lesser known farms, some of which have not exported before, and helping to promote these farmers.
We also collaborated with Tecnicafe, the world’s first and only coffee innovation & research hub located in Cauca, to assist with hulling, selection and transport.
These are not just one-off purchases – we aim to build long-standing relationships with these farmers, acting as a bridge between them and the UK market.
Here is an overview of each coffee: expect flavour profiles ranging from incredibly tasting winey and floral Geishas through to complex and juicy Bourbons and crisp, citrus-layered washed lots.
Miller Bravo Daza
from Florencia, Cauca
We purchased Miller’s coffee at the Auction for Peace / Subasta por la Paz in Bolívar for $21.50 per pound. His lot placed 7th in the regional competition, first evaluated by local Q graders and later selected among the top 10 by a panel of international roasters. It stood out as our favorite during the cupping, impressing us with its distinctive wine-like character, more reminiscent of a natural process coffee. Participating in the auction represents meaningful recognition for these farmers and also sends an encouraging signal to the next generation.
Geisha Wash
In the Top 10 coffees in Cauca - Auction for Peace
Process: Wash (48h fermentation in cherry, 30h anaerobic process)
Altitude: 1850m
Flavour Profile: Wine, cherry, sangria, dark chocolate
Cupping notes: Fragrance/Aroma: winey, floral undertones, passionfruit, cherry, raisin, nutty. Flavour: Winey, spicy, sangria, dark chocolate, good sweetness throughout increases on cool, tropical, passionfruit. Acidity: Juicy malic acidity, raspberry-like. Body: Medium, smooth. Aftertaste: Med length, lingering sweetness. Balance: flavour-forward cup with juicy acid, complex structure.
Q Grade: 88.06
Size: 72kg
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Eulices Fabian Quilindo
from Páez, Cauca
Eulices Fabián is one of the few if not the only farmer in Paez to have exotic varieties processed using innovative methods. We purchased his Geisha Honey for $29 per kg and Bourbon Natural for $36 per kg — coffees that placed among the region’s best, with his Bourbon Natural winning 2nd prize in the natural category. It is our mission to support farmers like Fabian as coffee is a powerful force for peace in a region long affected by conflict and destructive monocrops.
Pink Bourbon Natural
2nd prize in the Natural category for Cauca region
Process: Natural (double fermentation, 96 hours)
Altitude: 1720m Flavour
Profile: Blackberry, grape, cocoa
Cupping notes: Fragrance/Aroma: hints of cocoa, blackberry, berries, floral. Flavour: blackberry, grapes, cocoa, honey notes. Aftertaste: lingering berries. Acidity: malic. Body: medium. Cup: clean, uniform, balanced and very complex.
Q Grade: 87.58
Size: 40kg
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Geisha Honey
Process: Honey (double fermentation, 96 hours)
Altitude: 1800m
Flavour Profile: Peach, lemongrass, floral
Cupping notes: Fragrance/Aroma: fruity, honey notes, blueberries, floral. Flavour: floral, lemongrass, peach. Aftertaste: lingering mint. Acidity: delicate and juicy. Body: delicate Cup: clean, uniform and balanced cup.
Q Grade: 87.25
Size: 42kg
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Carlos Alberto Quiñones Collazos
from Bolívar, Cauca
The Gemelos twins run a farm in Bolívar, Cauca, where their Geisha and Bourbon washed coffees have been recognised among the best in the region. Most recently, they earned third place in the suave lavado (washed mild) category at the 2025 Cauca Coffee Festival. Beyond mastering processing techniques, they are also committed environmental stewards, growing coffee under the shade of endemic trees and fostering biodiversity.
Pink Bourbon Washed
3rd prize in Wash category for Cauca region
Process: Wash
Altitude: 1900m
Flavour Profile: Peach, lemongrass, almond
Cupping notes: Fragrance/Aroma: citrus, caramel, cocoa, lactic.
Flavour: Fruity, peach, lemongrass, almonds. Aftertaste: prolongated mandarin flavour. Acidity: delicate, juicy. Body: round. Cup: clean, uniform, balanced and complex.
Q Grade: 87.17
Size: 47.5kg
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Valencia Herrera Dalila
from Cajibío, Cauca
Valencia is one of Cauca’s distinguished women coffee producers. Her coffee was featured at the women’sonly cupping event during the Cauca Coffee Festival, where it impressed the judges with a profile more reminiscent of a Geisha than traditional varieties. Her secret lies in a sustainable philosophy that regenerates the natural agro-ecosystem. We paid Valencia $18.99 per kg. By buying this coffee you support women in Cauca, strengthening their resilience in a region still affected by violence.
Caturra-Castillo Washed
Showcased at women's-only cupping event at Cauca Coffee Festival - one of the distinguished women producers
Process: Wash
Altitude: 1850m
Flavour Profile: Mandarin, orange, blackberry, hazelnut
Cupping notes: Fragrance/Aroma: chocolate, caramel, aromatic, honey notes. Flavour: fruity, mandarin, orange, blackberries, hazelnut. Aftertaste: lingering citrus. Acidity: medium citrus. Body: medium. Cup: clean and uniform.
Q Grade: 85.92
Size: 27.65kg
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Luz Angela Rojas Prieto
from Oporapa, Huila
Luz Angela’s geisha really impressed us with its complex fruity and floral flavour. The coffee is grown in a regenerative farm, Chorro Alto, under diversified shade system, protecting soil and water sources, and providing habitat for birds and local fauna. The farm is directly committed to generating decent employment in the municipality, involving both local and indigenous families. Women play a fundamental role in the classification and selection processes, contributing their meticulousness to ensure the quality of each lot.
Geisha Washed
Process: Wash
Altitude: 1600m
Flavour Profile: Tangerine, watermelon, orange
Cupping notes: Fragrance/Aroma: floral, rose, tropical fruits, spices. Flavor: tangerine, watermelon, orange. Residual Flavor: short residual tropical fruits Acidity: medium. Body: medium Cup: clean,uniform and balanced.
Q Grade: 86.58
Size: 71.5kg
Certification: Rainforest Alliance
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