We’re always looking for coffees that clearly express place, variety and processing, and this lot from La Isla is a great continuation of that. Having worked with this producer before, we were excited to see how SL28 performs on the farm. It stood out for its structure and clarity, bringing a more vibrant, fruit-forward profile while still holding that balanced, sweet character we’ve come to expect from La Isla.

La Isla is a young, fast-rising farm in Naranjo, run by the Jiménez & Padilla family, and already making its mark with a 6th place in the 2024 Cup of Excellence Costa Rica. Grown at 1500–1700 MASL, this SL28 benefits from the region’s volcanic soils and stable climate, offering a slightly different expression of a varietal more commonly associated with Kenya.

This lot is processed as a natural, with cherries handpicked at peak ripeness and dried slowly in their whole form. The result is a more fruit-driven and syrupy profile, while still maintaining clarity in the cup.

On filter, expect a bright, juicy cup with notes of cling peach and a clean, structured acidity. As espresso, the profile becomes more rounded and syrupy, with rooibos-like notes coming through. With milk, it softens into a smooth, dessert-like cup, with a caramel cake sweetness.