Lamastus Family Estates

Lamastus Family Estates represents a century of coffee heritage in the Chiriquí Province of Panama. Founded in 1918 by Robert Lamastus, the family business has evolved through four generations, with leadership passing from Robert to his son Thatcher, grandson Wilford Sr., and great-grandson Wilford Jr. Today, the family operates five distinct estates across the highlands of the Volcán Barú, including their flagship Elida Estate, as well as El Burro, Luito, and Lulo. This continuity of family management has allowed them to refine their agricultural practices over decades, focusing on the unique microclimates of the Panamanian cloud forest.

The geography of their farms is central to their success. Elida Estate, for instance, sits at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,200 meters above sea level, nestled within the Volcán Barú National Forest Reserve. This high-altitude environment, characterized by rich volcanic soil, frequent mist, and significant day-to-night temperature fluctuations, forces the coffee cherries to mature at a much slower rate. This extended maturation period is critical for the development of the complex sugars, floral aromatics, and high-clarity acidity that define their signature Geisha coffees.

Innovation in processing has been a hallmark of the Lamastus approach. While they maintain traditional washed and natural methods, they have also been at the forefront of experimental techniques. A notable example is their Anaerobic Slow Dry (ASD) process, which involves fermenting cherries in sealed tanks for extended periods—sometimes up to 120 hours—before drying them in thick layers over several weeks. This meticulous control over fermentation and drying allows the family to push the boundaries of flavor, resulting in highly sought-after profiles that often feature notes of tropical fruit, grape, and champagne.

The family’s commitment to quality is perhaps best evidenced by their performance in the Best of Panama competition. They have accrued more awards than any other producer in the history of the event, including the prestigious Producer of the Year title in 2022. Their record-breaking success includes consecutive victories in both the Washed and Natural Geisha categories in 2018 and 2019, where their lots consistently achieved some of the highest scores ever recorded in the competition's history.

Beyond the farm, the Lamastus family is deeply integrated into the global specialty coffee community. Wilford Lamastus Jr. has represented Panama on the world stage, including a notable performance at the 2019 World Brewers Cup, where he placed 5th in the Open Service round using his family’s ASD-processed Geisha. This active participation in both production and competition has helped the family bridge the gap between high-end agronomy and the final cup, influencing how roasters and consumers perceive the potential of Panamanian coffee.

For the roaster and the drinker, the Lamastus name serves as a hallmark of traceability and excellence. By maintaining control over their own processing and logistics, they ensure that the specific characteristics of their micro-lots are preserved from the farm to the final brew. Their work continues to define the 'Panama Geisha' category, setting a standard for what is possible when high-altitude terroir is paired with rigorous, science-backed processing methods.