Hacienda La Esmeralda has secured the three highest-priced sales at the 2025 Best of Panama auction, including a new world-record price for a Washed Geisha.
Lot GW-01 was sold for a whopping US$30,204 (AU$46,304) per kilogram to Dubai coffeehouse Julith Coffee. A total of 549 bids were made on the lot.
Julith Coffee only opened its doors on 1 August 2025 in Al Quoz, Dubai. It is described as a roastery, brew lounge, concept store, and social space. Three-time Turkish Barista Champion and former Turkish Coffee Roasting Champion Serkan Sağsöz is Julith’s Head Roaster.
“Bringing the world’s most celebrated coffee to our roastery in Dubai is a true honour,” says Serkan. “At Julith, we believe that exceptional coffee deserves a global stage, and this acquisition is a bold step towards that vision.”
The estate also sold a 20-kilogram Natural Geisha lot with a score of 97/100 to JD.com for US$23,608 (AU$36,192) per kilogram.
It also sold the most expensive coffee in the Varietals category, with its Laurina lot V-01 fetching US$8040 (AU$12,326) per kilogram from Beijing Specialty Drink Co., Ltd.
Operator and Head of Sales and Marketing for Hacienda La Esmeralda, Rachael Peterson, praised the estate’s hard work in growing the record-breaking coffees.
“In a field full of excellence, we are deeply grateful to have reached new heights. This year’s Best of Panama results are a reflection of many hands, a lot of hard work, and a shared pursuit of something extraordinary,” she says.
The total value of the 2025 Best of Panama auction finished at more than US$2.8 million (AU$4.29 million) with a weighted average price of US$2861.20 (AU$4386).
The Best of Panama is an annual competition for specialty coffee growers, where producers submit coffees for evaluation by a national and international jury. The top-scoring coffees are then auctioned off each year. It is organised by the Specialty Coffee Association.
