Abu – Geisha GH-4135

Our relationship with José Luttrell and his wife Bibi began at World of Coffee in Athens in 2023. What started as a shared appreciation for exceptional Panama Geisha has grown into a beautiful friendship, making this our fourth year working together. Since that first meeting, we have had the pleasure of visiting their farm in Cañas Verdes and sharing some truly remarkable coffees with the Sweven community.

Abu Coffee is a deeply personal family project rooted in Hacienda Cañas Verdes, nestled on the volcanic slopes of Barú in Boquete, Panama. José established Abu alongside Bibi in honour of his father, José Guillermo Luttrell Tedman, a third-generation coffee producer whose dream was to cultivate an exceptional Geisha. The name Abu comes from abuelo, the affectionate nickname his grandchildren gave him, and reflects the family's commitment to preserving his legacy.

The farm sits at approximately 1,600 metres above sea level, surrounded by native forest and rich volcanic soils. Its distinctive microclimate combines mountain sunshine with the gentle Bajareque mist, creating favourable conditions for slow cherry maturation and the development of complex, aromatic coffees.

Over the years, José and Bibi have continued refining their approach to cultivation and processing, establishing Abu among Panama's most respected boutique Geisha producers. Their coffees have received repeated recognition at the prestigious Best of Panama competition and have appeared on international competition stages, reflecting the precision and dedication behind every harvest.

What makes this relationship particularly special to us is everything that has developed beyond the coffees themselves. From our first conversations in Athens to walking through Hacienda Cañas Verdes together, we have come to appreciate not only José and Bibi's remarkable commitment to quality, but also the warmth and generosity with which they share their work.

Four years into our journey together, every new release feels like another meaningful continuation of that friendship. This extraordinary Geisha is one we are especially proud to share.

Cultivated at Hacienda Cañas Verdes in the highlands of Boquete, this exceptional Geisha represents a particularly refined interpretation of Abu Coffee's progressive approach to processing. The farm's fertile volcanic soils, native shade trees and distinctive mountain microclimate provide an ideal environment for developing the delicate florality, vibrant acidity and layered sweetness associated with exceptional Panama Geisha.

For this GH-4135 lot, José employs a carefully structured Double Phase Honey process, combining an extended dry aerobic fermentation with a shorter wet anaerobic maceration using Geisha mosto. The process is designed to build aromatic complexity and sweetness while preserving the elegance and definition of the variety.

Only perfectly ripe cherries are selectively hand harvested before undergoing the first fermentation stage. The whole cherries remain in open tanks for 120 hours, allowing naturally occurring microorganisms to develop the coffee's fruit character and sweetness under aerobic conditions.

Following this initial fermentation, the cherries are depulped and transferred into sealed tanks for a further 24 hours of wet anaerobic maceration. During this stage, Geisha mosto, a liquid derived from the coffee's fermentation, is introduced to rehydrate the cherries and encourage further flavour development. This second phase builds additional sweetness and complexity while maintaining the clarity and aromatic character of the Geisha.

Once fermentation is complete, the coffee is carefully transferred to raised beds, where it undergoes approximately 25 days of slow sun drying. This patient final stage allows the developed flavours to integrate, creating a beautifully structured and balanced expression of the variety.

In the cup, expect yellow peach, mandarin and osmanthus. Exquisitely sweet and refined, the profile unfolds with delicate, layered citrus acidity and luscious stone-fruit sweetness. A soft, silky texture carries captivating honeyed floral aromatics, with osmanthus bringing a particularly beautiful dimension of perfume and depth to the lingering finish.

This is a remarkable expression of Panama Geisha, bringing together the inherent elegance of the variety with the precision and creativity of Abu Coffee's signature fermentation approach.