Juan José Ernesto Menéndez Argüello, or as he likes to be called 'Neto', has become one of our most special friends at origin. Ernesto, more than anyone else, has gone above and beyond the call of duty to find us the most wonderful coffees he can; from Finca Alaska, to Finca La Ilusion, to the wonderful Cascara we have all been enjoying.

We have been sitting on this as a special treat for a while now. A tiny 80kg lot, this is the natural processed lot from the now very famous la Ilusion. This is the coffee that was used by this year's World barista champion for his cappucino set.

In the cup there is the biggest hit of spicy liquorice I have ever tasted, but there is also an underlying sweetness. So, think in terms of those liquorice pipes with the sugar 100s and 1000s on them and you're in the right place. This coffee is complex, deep, interesting, and super rare.

This is a must try: it's a must have. I encourage you to dive in and try it while it's here, if for nothing else than to experience the amazing variety of coffees this great man can grow.

 

 

Liquorice, spice, complex, deep, rare

Sweetness: 6/8

Acidity: 6/8

Total Score: 93/100