HACIENDA LA ESMERALDA GESHA

I opened the bag expecting another pricey coffee, but at 1800 meters from Boquete, this washed Gesha is genuinely something else. Brewed it as a pour-over and the cup was so clean and layered I actually paused mid-sip. Worth every penny for a special occasion.

The washed process really lets the Gesha's floral character shine through—I've never tasted anything this clean and aromatic from a filter brew. Even at 1800 meters, the body stays surprisingly round and sweet.

I brewed it as a filter at 1800 meters altitude—the clarity from the washed process is unreal, all floral and tea-like without any harshness. Even the dry grounds smell like jasmine. Pricey, but this is the Gesha reference point I'll judge every other cup against.