The Lamastus Family

The Lamastus Family Estates represent a cornerstone of Panamanian specialty coffee, with a history of production dating back to 1918. Founded by Robert Lamastus, the family’s flagship property, Elida Estate, is located in the Boquete region of the Chiriquí province. Over more than a century, the family has expanded their operations to include El Burro Estate and Luito Geisha Estate, maintaining a reputation for quality that spans four generations of growers, including Thatcher, Wilford, and Wilford Jr. Lamastus.

Their farms are situated in the unique microclimates of the Panamanian highlands, with elevations reaching up to 2,060 meters above sea level. Elida Estate, in particular, is nestled within the Volcan Baru National Forest Reserve, an old-growth cloud forest. This environment provides rich volcanic soil, high biodiversity, and cold temperatures that slow the maturation of coffee cherries, contributing to the exceptional complexity and density of the beans produced there.

The family is widely recognized for their mastery of the Geisha variety, which has become synonymous with their brand. They have consistently dominated the Best of Panama (BoP) competition, a prestigious annual event that benchmarks the highest quality coffees in the country. In 2018 and 2019, the family achieved historic success by winning both the washed and natural Geisha categories in consecutive years, frequently setting new records for the highest-scoring coffees in the competition's history.

Beyond traditional cultivation, the Lamastus family is noted for their innovation in post-harvest processing. They have pioneered techniques such as the Anaerobic Slow Dry (ASD) method, which involves fermenting coffee in tanks for extended periods—sometimes up to 120 hours—before drying the cherries in thick layers over several weeks. They also utilize the Dark Room Drying (DRD) method, a meticulous selection process designed to isolate microlots with the highest potential for clarity and sweetness.

These efforts have translated into significant commercial success, with the family frequently breaking world records for the highest price paid for coffee at auction. In a 2022 private auction, a lot of Gesha Aguacatillo from Elida Estate reached a record-breaking bid of $6,034 per pound. Such figures underscore the global demand for their specific approach to terroir and processing, which often yields flavor profiles characterized by intense fruit notes, floral aromatics, and tea-like delicacy.

For the specialty coffee industry, the Lamastus family serves as a benchmark for how high-altitude, quality-focused farming can elevate a producer's standing in the global market. Their work demonstrates the intersection of traditional family heritage and modern scientific rigor. By focusing on the specific microclimates of their estates and pushing the boundaries of fermentation, they have secured a position at the absolute pinnacle of the specialty coffee supply chain.

Today, the Lamastus family continues to operate as a family-run enterprise, with Wilford Lamastus Jr. representing the brand on the international stage, including appearances at the World Brewers Cup. Their ongoing commitment to the Boquete region and their consistent performance in international auctions ensure that their estates remain among the most sought-after sources for roasters and consumers looking for the definitive expression of Panamanian Geisha.