Orange Bourbon
CM Washed
Finca El Mirador

Tastes Like: Key Lime Pie, Guava, Basil Blossom

Origin: Finca El Mirador, Huila, Colombia

Variety: Orange Bourbon

Producer: Elkin Ferney Guzman Vargas 

Elevation: 1,550–1,750 masl

Process: Carbonic Maceration Washed

Elkin Guzmán, the owner of El Mirador, has been immersed in coffee since birth. His family has long been involved in various aspects of the coffee industry—from cultivation to trading and retail. Together, they have celebrated over 70 years in coffee, including more than 12 years dedicated to researching post-harvest processing techniques. This extensive experience has led Elkin to apply a range of processing methods tailored to each specific lot, including Coffee Maceration, Lactic and Acetic Natural processes, and Natural Hydro Honey.

Orange Bourbon is a natural mutation of the traditional Bourbon variety, distinguished by its vibrant orange-hued cherries when fully ripe. Known for its elegant acidity and layered sweetness, this rare cultivar offers a distinctive cup profile that shines with careful processing.

At El Mirador, the team applied a refined Carbonic Maceration Washed method to highlight the unique attributes of this variety. The process begins with harvesting cherries at peak ripeness, not too underripe or overripe. The cherries are first floated in water to remove hollow defects, then hand-sorted to further remove any overripe fruit.

Next, the whole cherries undergo a 60–96 hour fermentation in sealed plastic tubs. After this, they are pulped and returned to the same tubs along with the juice from the initial fermentation, also referred to as mosto— which is rich in sugars and native microorganisms. This helps initiates or kickstart the second fermentation phase, which occurs in a sealed environment that traps CO₂, creating the conditions for carbonic maceration. Over 80–120 hours, the microorganisms break down the mucilage’s sugar chains, enhancing complexity and clarity.

The coffee is then fully washed and slow-dried for 18–25 days, allowing the nuanced flavors to fully develop. This carefully controlled method accentuates the Orange Bourbon’s natural sweetness, fruit-forward character, and clean, expressive finish.