COSTA RICA, Alejo Castro Khale, Volcán Azul Reserve, Valle Centrale

Producer: Alejo Castro-Kahle. 

Growing altitude: 1700masl. 

Botanical variety: Geisha.

Process: Natural Anaerobic.

Tasting notes: Syrup, apricot, blackberry, vanilla, hibiscus, passion fruit flavours.

Roast date: 5 November, 2026.  

There are coffees that speak of place, and then there are coffees that become the place. Volcán Azul’s Geisha sits firmly in the latter category, a coffee that embodies the altitude, history, and quiet ambition of one of Costa Rica’s most storied estates. That vision was recognised on the world stage as Volcán Azul’s Geisha earned 4th place in the Cup of Excellence, reaffirming its position among the most exceptional coffees on the planet.

For those who know the farm, this achievement feels less like a surprise and more like a continuation of a legacy. Volcán Azul’s philosophy has always been rooted in precision: meticulous picking, intentional processing, and a deep respect for the land that sustains it. Geisha, with its delicate florals, luminous sweetness, and almost weightless clarity, is the variety through which this philosophy shines brightest.

In the cup, the 4th-place Geisha is a quiet revelation, jasmine and white florals lifted by stone fruit and citrus, finishing with the kind of clean, crystalline aftertaste that defines world-class coffee. But beyond the sensory experience lies something more enduring: the decades-long commitment of the Castro family to elevate Costa Rican coffee, season after season, through both heritage and experimentation.

For us at Espressolab, celebrating this recognition is personal. Volcán Azul is not just a supplier, it is a partner whose pursuit of excellence mirrors our own. To share this coffee with our guests is to share a piece of Costa Rica’s finest craftsmanship, shaped by volcanic soils, mountain winds, and human devotion.

Congratulations to Volcán Azul on this remarkable achievement. Fourth place in the Cup of Excellence is not merely a ranking, it is proof that exceptional coffee is born from a harmony between land, variety, producer, and purpose.

“Quality coffee and conservation go hand in hand—this is the future we’re cultivating, one harvest at a time.”

— Alejo Castro Kahle