COLOMBIA AREA 18 STRIPED RED BOURBON
Some coffees stand out because of their processing.
Others because of their variety.
This coffee brings both together.
Produced in the mountains of Cauca, this Striped Red Bourbon is a vibrant and elegant expression of one of Colombia’s most exciting coffee-growing regions. It combines remarkable sweetness with refined acidity, offering a cup that feels both familiar and surprisingly expressive.
It is a coffee that reminds us how thoughtful farming and careful processing can elevate an already exceptional variety.
WHY WE CHOSE THIS COFFEE
We are always looking for coffees that tell a story beyond flavour. This lot immediately caught our attention because it combines three things we deeply appreciate: an exceptional variety, a remarkable coffee-growing region and producers committed to quality over quantity. Striped Red Bourbon demonstrates how genetics and terroir can work together to create a coffee that feels both elegant and incredibly expressive. For us, it represents the exciting direction modern Colombian coffee continues to take.
about the producers
Area 18 is not a single farm, but a community of dedicated coffee producers working across the mountains of Cauca.
Each producer cultivates relatively small plots, where coffee is grown alongside native vegetation under ideal high-altitude conditions. By working together, these farmers are able to maintain strict quality standards while preserving complete traceability for every lot.
Rather than focusing on volume, Area 18 prioritises careful cultivation, selective harvesting and long-term quality improvement, allowing exceptional coffees like this Striped Red Bourbon to reach roasters around the world.
about striped red bourbon
Striped Red Bourbon is a naturally occurring mutation within the Bourbon family, recognised by the distinctive striped appearance of its ripe cherries.
While visually unique, what makes this variety truly exciting is its cup profile.
It often combines the sweetness and elegance associated with traditional Bourbon with vibrant fruit complexity, refined florals and remarkable clarity, making it one of the most sought-after modern Bourbon selections in Colombia.
processing
Only perfectly ripe cherries are selectively harvested before undergoing a traditional washed process.
Following depulping, the coffee ferments under carefully controlled conditions before being thoroughly washed and slowly dried. Every stage is designed to preserve the purity of the variety and highlight the natural sweetness developed throughout the growing season.
The result is a remarkably transparent cup that beautifully expresses both the terroir of Cauca and the character of Striped Red Bourbon.
samurai perspective
Some coffees impress because they are rare.
Others because they are beautifully executed.
This coffee is both.
Striped Red Bourbon reminds us that extraordinary flavour doesn’t come from variety alone. It comes from the countless decisions made by producers throughout the season – from caring for the trees to harvesting only perfectly ripe cherries and processing them with precision.
For us, coffees like this are a glimpse into the future of Colombian specialty coffee: rooted in tradition, driven by curiosity, and always striving to express origin as clearly as possible.
