Category: Reviews / Coffee Beans
Transparency Note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Meeting the people behind the coffee always adds a special layer to the tasting experience. Last week at Coffee Fest in New York, we had the absolute pleasure of finally meeting the team from Kafiex Roasters in person. Having followed their journey on Instagram for a while, stopping by their booth was high on the priority list—and they did not disappoint.
While they are based all the way on the other side of the country, tasting their lineup made us seriously hope we get the opportunity to visit their physical location in the near future. Knowing they were recently crowned the 2026 Micro Roaster of the Year gave us complete confidence in selecting their beans, and we absolutely want to try more from them soon. The standout of the day? A mind-blowing Colombian Pink Bourbon.
Jhoan Vergara – Las Flores – Pink Bourbon
- Roaster: Kafiex Roasters
- Origin: Colombia
- Farm & Producer: Las Flores – Jhoan Vergara
- Varietal: Pink Bourbon
- Process: Thermal Shock / Washed
- Tasting Notes: Floral, Candied Citrus, Green Apple
The Tasting Experience
The moment this coffee is brewed, the floral aroma completely takes over the room. It’s what drew us in immediately at the festival. On the palate, that floral introduction gives way to a vibrant, crisp green apple sweetness, wrapping up perfectly with a clean, candied citrus finish.
The true testament to how exceptional this coffee is, though, comes from Sue. She doesn’t usually gravitate toward light roasts, but this Pink Bourbon completely won her over. It is officially the bean that is making her fall in love with lighter, more delicate coffees. It was a fabulous experience getting to share that moment right there at the Kafiex booth.
Brewing at Home
- Brewer: Chemex 8-Cup Classic
- Filter: Chemex Natural Coffee Filters, Square
- Kettle: Bodum 27oz Bistro Gooseneck
- Grinder: Cuisinart Coffee Grinder dbm – 8
Since bringing a bag home, this has been our go-to for the morning pour-over. We’ve been running it exclusively through the Chemex. I will be the first to admit that my Chemex technique isn’t always flawless, but this bean is incredibly forgiving. Despite any minor inconsistencies in my pouring, the aroma and the taste in the cup come out absolutely perfect every single time.
If you ever have the chance to get your hands on a Thermal Shock processed Pink Bourbon from Kafiex, don’t hesitate. It’s a game-changer.
Meeting so many passionate roasters was the highlight of Coffee Fest, and Kafiex set the bar incredibly high. I’ll be rolling out more reviews of the other standout beans we brought home over the next few days, so stay tuned for more great coffee recommendations!
