Artist Reserve: Colombia Carmen Montoya - Multi-Stage Washed Chiroso

Description

ARTIST RESERVE: Alex Strohl COLOMBIA CARMEN MONTOYA - MULTI-STAGE WASHED CHIROSO DENSE PEACH, MANDARIN, CARMEL CANDY, LAYERED Carmen Montoya is the queen of Chiroso. For years, she's quietly become one of the most influential producers behind this remarkable Colombian variety, helping establish the clean, intensely aromatic profile that has made Chiroso one of the most sought-after varietals in the world. Bright and crisp with layers of juicy peach, sweet mandarin orange, and caramel candy. It's expressive and sweet —an elegant, multi-stage washed coffee that keeps unfolding as it cools. This release marks an exciting new collaboration with Alex Strohl. Alex has long been one of Color Coffee's biggest supporters, and we've admired his photography for years. His work—capturing wild landscapes, quiet moments, and a deep sense of place—felt like the perfect fit for one of Colombia's most unique places and coffees.  Follow Alex's work: instagram.com/alexstrohl BEAN DETAILS: ORIGIN: Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia PRODUCER: Carmen Montoya ELEVATION: 2,000 masl PROCESS:  Multi-Stage Washed 12-hour whole cherry fermentation Depulped 72-hour fermentation in stainless steel tanks Washed 8-day patio drying VARIETY: Chiroso TASTING NOTES: juicy peach, mandarin, caramel candy ROAST TYPE: Light   Farm Level In Partnership with Unblended We're also excited to bring this coffee to you through our friends at Unblended, whose sourcing philosophy aligns closely with ours: finding remarkable producers, celebrating transparency, and building long-term relationships that allow exceptional coffees to reach more people. Partnerships like this expand our ability to source extraordinary coffees while remaining focused on the producers and stories that matter most. About the Producer The Chiroso Queen of Urrao Few producers have had a greater influence on Chiroso than Carmen Montoya. A coffee farmer for more than 23 years, Carmen grew up surrounded by coffee. Her parents instilled a love for farming from an early age, and over time she became fascinated with processing and the remarkable potential of a little-known variety growing on her farm in Urrao. That dedication paid off in 2014, when she won Colombia's prestigious Cup of Excellence with the coffee she had affectionately named Chiroso. Carmen was one of the first producers to cultivate and champion the variety, helping establish the reputation that has since made Urrao one of the world's premier destinations for Chiroso. Today, her Bella Vista farm sits at 2,000 meters above sea level and remains one of the oldest Chiroso plantings in the region. The five-hectare farm, supported by a small team of four employees, has become both a source of exceptional coffee and a place of learning. Producers from neighboring farms regularly visit Bella Vista to study Carmen's farming and processing methods, many adopting her techniques to elevate quality throughout the community. Carmen's ambition extends beyond her own farm. She continues to mentor other producers while working toward a shared goal: making Urrao Chiroso recognized around the world not only for its extraordinary quality, but for the people whose knowledge and dedication made it possible.