Cupping Panama Esmeralda Special 2010

Completely my fault, but was a bit slow in signing up for this year’s Esmeralda Special auction and samples so the Grumpy Mule  team has only just got around to roasting and cupping them. The auction – the second Hacienda La Esmeralda has held for their Esmeralda Special coffees – is next Tuesday on 18th May 2010.

This year there are 7 unique batches of this amazing coffee. We also roasted the “Best of Panama” Esmeralda Special sample we had here in the lab to compare with the 7 on offer through the auction.

Louise and Ian were on hand to help me offer a few thoughts on each of the samples. Cupping these coffees always takes me right back to tasting at Hacienda La Esmeralda HQ back in 2008 – I have fond memories of that brief visit up to Boquete.

Mario Carnaval (floral and very clean), Mario San Jose (sweet and orangey), Baru (jasmine, big berry fruits) and the Best of Panama (wine gums, very zesty) lots came out top for us - all delightfully varied - although the Colga batch seems very flavoursome and bright this year too, even though it's from the lowest altitude.

Producer details of each batch below below:

1. Mario Carnaval
Harvested in February from the Jaramillo farm (1500-1650m)

2. Mario San Jose
Harvested in March from the Jaramillo farm (1500-1650m)

3. Mario Enero
Harvested in January from the Jaramillo farm (1500-1650m)

4. Baru
Harvested January-March from the Cañas Verdes farm (1500-1650m)

5. Caballeriza
Harvested in January-March from the Jaramillo farm (1500m)

6. Naranjo
Harvested in January-March from the Jaramillo farm (1450m)

7. Colga
Harvested January-March from the Cañas Verdes farm (1400m)

8. Best of Panama Lot
Winner of the Best of Panama competition 2010