Los Mandarinos - Colombia, Natural

This release is something truly special—a super rare varietal from Colombia. San Bernardo is a natural mutation of the Typica varietal first identified in Guatemala. Few farmers cultivate it, as the trees are low yielding and less resistant to disease than common varieties like Castillo. But for those who do, the reward is a cup profile unlike anything else. This lot comes from Adaiber Peña Mora at his Los Mandarinos farm in Huila, grown at 1,720 masl—a region known for producing some of the country’s finest coffees.

The coffee was processed naturally with an extended fermentation: 45 hours in open-air (aerobic) conditions, before being dried on the cherry for 10 days. This extra care has created a classically sweet natural process coffee with an added layer of depth.

It’s the first time we’ve had the chance to showcase San Bernardo at Blue Sky, and it does not disappoint. Expressive and exotic, with notes of grape soda and liquorice presented with a winey body and a long aftertaste.