Blind Assessment: Profoundly intricate yet balanced, complete. Roasted cacao nib, saffron, jasmine, candied mango, blood orange in aroma and cup. Delicately rich, balanced acidity; silky mouthfeel. Jasmine and saffron in particular carry into a long, resonant finish.

Notes: This is an auction lot of the celebrated Gesha (also spelled Geisha) variety of Arabica from Hacienda La Esmeralda, the producer that first introduced the Gesha variety to the world. With its generally elongated beans and distinctive floral and crisp, often chocolaty cup, Gesha continues to distinguish itself as one of the world’s most unique coffees. This is a dry-processed or “natural” version, meaning the beans were dried inside the fruit rather than after the fruit has been removed, as is the case with wet-processed or “washed” coffees. Based in the San Diego area, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is a retailer and wholesaler focused on organic and socially responsible coffees; it was awarded the “2012 Micro Roaster of the Year” title from Roast Magazine. Visit www.birdrockcoffee.com or call 858-551-1707 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: A dried-in-the-fruit Gesha with all of the depth, range and complexity of the type held in a structural matrix of accessible balance and restraint.