Heyler Guerra

Hailing from the Southern Tolima region in Colombia, this exceptional offering showcases the dedication and expertise of Heyler Guerra, the proud owner of Finca Russilandia. Delve into the distinctive regional characteristics, discover the remarkable individuals involved, and experience the unique qualities of this extraordinary lot.

Located at an elevation of 1550 meters above sea level, Finca Russilandia enjoys an idyllic location near the border of Cundinamarca and a mere 5-hour drive from the city of Bogotá. However, this lower altitude poses challenges, including increased pest risk and favorable conditions for leaf rust-causing fungus.

In response, Heyler Guerra employs a strategic cultivation approach, predominantly cultivating the resilient Castillo varietal. Developed by the Colombian coffee research institute CENICAFE in 2005, Castillo emerged as part of a government-backed initiative to combat the devastating leaf rust outbreak of that time. Thus, the hearty Castillo varietal thrives in coffee-growing regions throughout Colombia.

Heyler Guerra’s unwavering commitment to quality is exemplified through his meticulous fermentation techniques, aimed at accentuating the exquisite flavors present in each cup. For this particular lot of Castillo, Heyler embraces a controlled natural method he refers to as “anoxic pre-fermentation” or low oxygen fermentation. Employing this process, the cherries undergo thorough floating to retain only the most robust and highest-quality fruit. These selected cherries are then placed in a sealed container, enabling a 72-hour fermentation process devoid of oxygen. Within this precisely controlled environment, lactobacillus bacteria flourish, utilizing the cherries’ natural sugars to generate lactic acid, accompanied by an array of esters, alcohols, and phenols contributed by the wild yeast present. This symphony of flavors and aromas imbues the coffee with a complex and captivating profile. Furthermore, Heyler and the team theorize that keeping the cherry attached prevents seed germination, preserving the seed’s vitality and resulting in a remarkably clean cup.

The result is a lot that offers bright acidity, ripe dark fruit notes, high levels of complexity, a full body, and heavy sweetness.

Farm details:

Farmer: Heyler Guerra

Farm: Russilandia

Region: Tolima

Country: Colombia

Altitude: 1550m

Process: Low 02 Natural

Varietal: Castillo

Flavor profile:

Aromatics: Guava, Orange Zest, Strawberry Jam, Concord Grape

Taste: Strawberry, Plum, Molasses, Guava, Citrus Zest, Jam, Winey

Acidity: High/Bright

Sweetness: Medium/Jammy

Body: High/Full