Coffee Details

• Name: El Burro
• Lot: Lot #16
• Expression: Jasmine, Red Grape, Strawberry
  
• Producer: Wilford Lamastus
• Origin: Panama
• Varietal: Gesha
• Process: Natural
• Format: 100g

Processing Information

This natural Gesha from El Burro Estate comes from the 2026 harvest, picked on 15 February and grown at 1,600–1,700 metres above sea level. The cherries were carefully selected at peak ripeness and rested overnight before being laid out whole and intact on raised drying beds.

Rather than introducing a separate fermentation stage, the process relies on slow, controlled drying of the intact fruit. Over approximately 20–35 days, the cherries are turned regularly to encourage even moisture reduction, allowing the coffee to develop through the interaction of the fruit, time and airflow. Once the target moisture level is reached, the coffee can be stabilised before milling.

El Burro’s natural process typically produces a generous, rich body, reflecting the character of its forested growing environment. In this lot, that richness is complemented by a brighter floral dimension, bringing greater complexity to the cup. The result is a natural Gesha that balances sweetness and depth with a more delicate aromatic character.

Producer Background

Lamastus Family Estates is one of Panama’s most established coffee-growing families, with a history dating back to 1918. Today, three generations of the Lamastus family - Thatcher, Wilford and Wilford Jr. - continue that legacy across Elida Estate, El Burro Estate and Luito Geisha Estate. Based in the highlands of Boquete, their farms have become internationally recognised for their exceptional Gesha coffees, distinctive terroirs and meticulous approach to cultivation and processing.

El Burro occupies a more secluded position on the slopes of Volcán Barú. It is the southernmost of the family’s Geisha estates in Boquete and the most forested of their growing environments. At 1,600–1,700 metres, this lot sits slightly higher than some of El Burro’s other plots. The combination of its forest-edge setting, natural processing and elevation contributes to the estate’s characteristic depth and generous body, while the higher position of Lot #16 brings a brighter floral dimension.

We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Wilford Lamastus in Panama and have been purchasing coffees from his farms for several years. It has been rewarding to follow the family’s work across successive harvests, as they continue to explore the differences between their estates and refine their approach to producing exceptional coffee.

Their competition record reflects that consistency. In 2023, Elida Estate’s Torre Washed Gesha placed second at the Best of Panama with 95.38 points. In 2024, the family won the Natural Gesha category with 95.13 points and also took the Panama Cup, awarded to the producer accumulating the most points across the competition. Most recently, in 2026, Elida Estate secured first place in Washed Gesha with 96.25 points and third place in Natural Gesha with 95.25 points. These results reinforce the family’s position among Panama’s leading producers, while each estate continues to express its own character.