Marlon Bolaños - Aji

Producer: Marlon Bolaños 
Origin: Acevedo, Huila, Colombia
Elevation: 1670 MASL
Variety: Aji
Process: Washed
Roast Level: Light
Importer: Unblended Coffee
Flavor Notes: Lime, Orange Blossom, Blackberry, ZING

Let's gooooo! This coffee comes with a ton of hype and excitement behind it.  Introducing our first release from Marlon Bolaños via our homies of Unblended Coffee.  This is the first of a few releases we have queued up from Marlon and this washed lot of the Aji variety is such an insane starting point.... in the best way.

As told by Unblended: Marlon grew up knowing coffee as his family’s livelihood, but it wasn’t until a barismo course at 17 that he began to see its deeper potential. What started as curiosity became commitment: planting differentiated varieties, refining fermentation through trial and error, and building 'Three Coffee Farmers' alongside his two brothers. From the spring water filtered through rock on his farm — now known among competitors as “champions’ water” — to his dream of producing a winning auction lot, Marlon represents a new generation of producers shaping their future with intention, patience, and vision. Marlon is responsible for quality control, fermentation protocols, sampling and part of the logistics operations. Marlon has also competed and won in several barista and brewing competitions over the last several years, taking spring water from his family's farm for brewing. It's especially suited for coffee due to the natural trace mineral composition, and now coveted by peers after earning the name "Champion's Water."

The Three Coffee Farmers farm sits at 1670 MASL and is 10 hectares in size growing Aji, Gesha, Pink Bourbon, Chiroso and Caturra.  This Bourbon Aji follows a straightforward, clean process designed to highlight the natural attributes of the variety. The cherries are harvested and pre-selected to remove any unripe fruit, then floated to separate defects. After depulping, the coffee is placed in open plastic tanks for 12 hours, where light oxidation allows microorganisms to naturally enhance its complexity. It is then washed and moved to the drying phase. Marlon crafted this process with the intention of bringing out the variety’s finest qualities: a tropical sweetness reminiscent of pineapple and mandarin, a creamy body, and a lingering floral finish.  

This cup is electric.  One of the most fun acidity profiles we've had in a coffee in years.  Bright and vibrant lime notes dance on the pallet as florals and tart jammy qualities balance it out.  Orange blossom, lime, blackberry and ZINNGGGGGGG!  Marlon's Aji has complexity and clarity for days.  Truly, a super special coffee right here.  

Grab a bag of this special lot of the Aji variety and get hyped on the insane skills of Marlon Bolaños.  More to come, peace.