A Journey of Discovery and Connection
When Gab Tan set foot in Panama earlier this year, he carried with him two crucial missions: source exceptional coffee for his 2025 Australian Barista Championship routine and handpick premium lots for our Pinnacle Series. What unfolded was far more than a buying trip—it became a transformative journey of discovery that would reshape his understanding of coffee excellence.
The Mission begins
Accompanied by Jack Allisey, Veneziano's Green Coffee Buyer, Gab embarked on this strategic expedition with clear objectives:
- Championship Quest: Discovering the perfect coffee to elevate his 2025 Barista Championship performance
- Pinnacle Pursuit: Identifying exceptional lots worthy of our prestigious Pinnacle Series
- Relationship Building: Transforming the last few years of remote collaboration into face-to-face connections with Panama's finest producers
Into the Heart of Coffee Country
The journey from Panama City into the cloud-kissed mountains of Chiriquí revealed why this small Central American nation punches so far above its weight. Across seven intensive days spanning Boquete and Volcan, Gab and Jack navigated a carefully orchestrated discovery mission—10 farms, over 300 coffee tastings, and countless conversations that would prove instrumental to their goals.
Meeting legends like Rachel Peterson of Hacienda Esmeralda and Kai Janson of Janson Estate wasn't just about reconnecting—it was about unlocking access to the very lots that could define championship success. At Mt Totumas Coffee Farm, surrounded by hummingbirds and the elusive quetzal, Gab discovered firsthand the meticulous post-harvest processes that create competition-worthy profiles.
Eureka Moments and Breakthrough Tastings
Every great journey has its defining moments. For Gab, tasting a washed, fermented gesha from Lerida Estate became one such revelation—a cup so perfectly structured with watermelon, floral, and strawberry notes that it instantly elevated his championship strategy. These weren't just tastings; they were discoveries that would directly fuel both the Pinnacle Series selection and his competitive edge.
Staying with Kai at Janson Estate and touring Los Alpes—a legendary competition lot—provided Gab with invaluable insights into what separates good coffee from championship coffee.
Mission Accomplished: Bringing Panama Home
While Panamanian coffees represent less than 1% of global production, Gab's discoveries proved their championship potential. "The sheer hard work that goes into producing these coffees has deepened my gratitude and sharpened my focus," he reflects.
His Panama journey yielded more than just exceptional coffee samples—it delivered the knowledge, relationships, and specific lots needed to achieve both missions. The Pinnacle Series selections are now secured, and his championship routine has found its perfect foundation.
The Discovery Continues Gab returns from Panama with his missions accomplished and a renewed perspective that he's already applying to origins across Ethiopia, Colombia, Bolivia, and Timor Leste. This journey of discovery has set the stage for what promises to be his most competitive championship performance yet.
Stay tuned as these Panama discoveries make their way into our Pinnacle Series and onto the championship stage.