Glenlyon Colombia Pink Panther

Pink Bourbon has become a staple of Colombia in recent years, standing out for its consistently sweet profile. This sweetness is reminiscent of what Colombians know as 'Melao,' a syrup made from melted panela and water, used to sweeten desserts. In this way, Pink Bourbon is like a dessert in a cup, full of sweetness and character.

This variety is widely spread in the southern part of the department of Huila and is now making its way north and into other departments. According to producers, Pink Bourbon originated on a farm in the “vereda” of San Adolfo in the municipality of Acevedo, Huila. There, the plant began to exhibit unique traits, such as its famous pinkish hue with stripes when ripe. When cupped, it revealed a distinctive, unique, and consistent profile, which led to its growing popularity. From the original farm, seedlings were sold to other producers and, in some cases, gifted to friends.

Many coffee producers in Huila have planted Pink Bourbon over the past 10 years, as it consistently produces high-quality cups. It has adapted well to climatic changes and has not been significantly affected by pests and diseases such as leaf rust, maintaining a good production yield.

Several DNA studies have shown that Pink Bourbon is closely related to an Ethiopian landrace, though the exact details remain unspecified. The name "Pink Bourbon" became popular because early producers thought the tree resembled a Bourbon variety and noted its distinct pink hue. The name stuck and is now widely recognized.

The coffee producers of the south of Huila are mostly second-generation, with some third generation and a few first-generation farmers. Coffee is both a passion and a business for them, which is why they continually seek to improve the quality of their coffee to achieve better prices. Many of these producers have experimented with different fermentation times, vessels in which the coffee is fermented, and other techniques. They also introduce new varieties to consistently achieve better results and ensure quality. This is why they have decided to introduce Pink Bourbon to their farms.