Best of Panama is Panama’s national coffee competition, organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP). First held in 1996, the 2026 edition was its 30th. Producer members submit their finest lots, which are cupped blind by a national jury and then an international panel before the winning lots go to a global online auction.
How the Competition Works
Best of Panama judges three categories: Geisha Washed, Geisha Natural, and Varietals, which covers non Geisha varieties such as Catuai, Caturra, Pacamara, Typica, and Laurina. Each category crowns its own top scoring lot. A separate Copa Panamá award goes to the producer with the highest accumulated score across every lot they entered, regardless of category, recognizing consistency rather than a single standout lot. The 2026 edition drew 180 lots from 73 participating members.
Past Winners
2026 Geisha Washed: Lamastus Family Estates, Elida Estate, Boquete, Panama. No confirmed retail shop selling roasted coffee as of this writing (their own site sells green beans via private trade auction only); a link will be added if a roaster buyer takes the lot.
2026 Geisha Natural: María Antonella Amoruso C., Finca Lérida, Boquete, Panama. No confirmed retail shop as of this writing (Finca Lérida’s own site is a hotel with no coffee retail); a link will be added if a roaster buyer takes the lot.
2026 Varietals: Familia Altieri, Altieri Specialty Coffee, Boquete, Panama
2026 Copa Panamá (highest accumulated score): Hacienda La Esmeralda, Boquete, Panama. No confirmed retail shop as of this writing (their own site is a green bean trade auction, not a consumer shop); a link will be added if a roaster buyer takes a lot.