Nariño is Colombia's southernmost coffee-growing region, bordering Ecuador to the south and Cauca to its north. While each of Colombia's various coffee-growing regions has a distinct character in the cup, Nariño's unique climate conditions contribute to the special, sparkling quality of the coffees there. The dramatic slopes and valleys that comprise the landscape in this department have direct effect on the temperature modulation that creates these high-acidity, supersweet coffees: Warm, humid air collects in the lowlands during the day and creeps gently up the mountainsides at night, a combination that allows coffee to thrive at much higher altitudes than most of the rest of the country, as much as 2,300 meters above sea level. Through the Gran Galope program, coffees from multiple smallholder farmers are brought together, creating a system that supports producers with better market access while preserving a focus on selective harvesting and traditional methods. This lot is a blend of Castillo varieties from 10–30 smallholders, processed using the traditional washed method.These lots are selections from Huila are cupped and purchased in Pitalito; selections from Cauca are cupped and purchased in Popayán; and Nariño Gran Galopes are cupped and purchased in both Pasto and La Unión. In the cup, it offers a versatile and balanced profile with notes of light fruity acidity, rich cocoa, and sweet toffee.
