K26 - Kenya Kirinyaga Auction Lot K72 Double Washed Lot 6185

Notes: Pomelo, rose aroma, floral notes, blackcurrant, tangerine, high sweetness, gentle acidity

The overall expression is clean and bright, featuring the classic crisp acidity and high sweetness characteristic of Kenyan coffee. The initial notes showcase a refreshing citrus aroma reminiscent of pomelo and tangerine, with a gentle, non-sharp acidity that feels bright and delicate on the palate. Subsequently, rose and floral notes gradually emerge, making the aroma even more elegant and layered. In the mid-palate, notes of blackcurrant berry appear, contributing refined fruit acidity and a full-bodied fruit finish. The sweetness carries through to the end, resulting in a clean and clear finish that embodies the bright, delicate, and layered style of high-altitude washed Kenyan coffee.

Region: Kirinyaga, Kenya

Cooperative: Rungeto

Altitude: 1700–1900 meters

Variety: SL28 & SL34

• SL28 and SL34 are Kenya's most representative classic Arabica varieties, renowned for their bright acidity, elegant fruity aromas, and excellent sweetness. SL28 typically offers more vibrant fruit acidity and berry notes, displaying clear flavors of blackcurrant, citrus, and tropical fruits; SL34 possesses better environmental adaptability, delivering stable sweetness and a full mouthfeel in high-altitude, fertile volcanic soil. Their combination gives this coffee the signature bright acidity, delicate floral fragrance, and clear layered fruit notes typical of Kenyan coffee.
• Kirinyaga is located in central Kenya and is one of the country's most iconic specialty coffee-producing regions. Situated on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya at an altitude of 1700–1900 meters, it features fertile volcanic soil, abundant rainfall, and a cool climate, providing ideal conditions for coffee cherries to ripen slowly. The high altitude helps the coffee accumulate more sugars and aromatic compounds, resulting in higher sweetness, brighter acidity, and a cleaner flavor structure in the cup.
• Kii Factory is one of three wet mills under the Rungeto Farmers Cooperative Society. Established in 1997 (formerly known as Ngiriama Cooperative), the cooperative currently has approximately 3,500 smallholder members. The mills under the cooperative include Karimikui, Kii, and Kiangoi. Kii Factory, established in 1965, has long been recognized in the specialty coffee market for its consistent quality and distinct Kenyan flavor profile.

Processing: K72 Double Washed

• K72 Double Washing is one of the most representative methods in traditional Kenyan washed processing. Freshly harvested mature coffee cherries are first sorted and depulped, leaving the coffee beans with their mucilage intact for fermentation. Through an extended multi-stage fermentation process and thorough rinsing, the mucilage is effectively removed, which enhances the cleanliness, transparency, and acidity of the coffee.
• This processing method highlights the bright fruit acidity, clear floral fragrance, and berry aromas unique to Kenyan coffee. Compared to standard washed processing, double washing typically yields a cleaner cup, a more defined acidic structure, and clearer flavor layering. In combination with the high altitude, volcanic soil, and the characteristics of the SL28 and SL34 varieties, this batch exhibits a delicate profile of pomelo, tangerine, blackcurrant, and rose.
• Overall, this Kirinyaga "Top Lot" Kii Factory K72 Double Washed batch is clear, bright, and elegant. From the initial crisp citrus notes of pomelo and tangerine to the floral rose and blackcurrant notes in the mid-palate, and finally the lingering, clean, and high-sweetness finish, the layers are distinct and natural. It is perfect for those who enjoy bright acidity, clean washed styles, floral notes, and the classic fruity expression of Kenyan coffee.