SAN SEBASTIAN NATURAL

Guatemala

Country：Guatemala

Farm：San Sebastian

Section：Concepción Durazno

Cultivar：Bourbon

Process：Natural

Region：Antigua

Owner：José Miguel Falla

Elevation：2,000m

Size：Screen 16-18

COFFEE HUNTERS STORY

The Grand Cru Café was released for the first time in 2008. However, 3 years after, the Bourbon coffee harvested at the Durazno Grande, a prime class field at San Sebastian Farm, went through a natural process and was introduced into the Japanese market. As expected, they made a great coffee due to the drying techniques that San Sebastian farm have with their 120 years of experience in the business. As opposed to the washed process, where separates first the fruit and mucilage (sweet mucilage) then dry it, here the fully-ripe cherries are immediately left to dry, and this process takes up a very long time. It takes approximately 10 days to dry the washed coffee cherries, however, it takes up to 23 days approximately until the cherries have reached the optimal sweetness and take the flavor of the mucilage. Meanwhile, it is important to frequently turn the cherries to prevent them from spoiling. This farm made an excellent job and released one of the best Bourbon Natural to the world. Then, after a long wait, we tried the 2018 Bourbon coffee harvest from the prestigious field Concepcion Durazno. These slowly ripened Bourbon cherries that grew in 2,000 m height are juicy and sweet. All the sweetness soaked through the beans resulting in a fruity and winey coffee.

Vintage characteristics

【Flavor Profile】An intertwined flavor with aroma of various fruits and rich sweetness reminiscent of noble rot wine. The thick mouthfeel and juicy acidity impress leading to an elegant drinking experience.

2021

The experience begins with the flavor of sweet berries reminiscent of “confiture” and an aroma reminiscent of “grissini,” followed by orange-like acidity. An exquisite balance of rich chocolate leaves a feel of elegance.

2020

With its strong impact, the balance of flavor is a composite of elegance and magnificence. The plum-like acidity spreads across the palate like a fan leading to a rich chocolate-like sweetness before fading out like fireworks.

2019

Blessed with the aroma of numerous fruits, it leaves a vibrant, lively juiciness with strong acidity. The overall balance is complemented with a gentle and elegant feeling. It resembles the subtle sweetness left in an empty glass of whiskey or plum wine.

2018

An intense sweetness like ice wine and amaretto-like flavor with a thick texture. At times, a scent like roses can be appreciated. In fact, it should be how the natural processed Bourbon coffee originally tastes.