AWARDS
Ernesto Illy Award
for quality espresso coffee
At the end of the 1980s, scouring the rural areas of Brazil, Ernesto Illy proved to local farmers that there was a market willing to pay much higher prices to obtain a higher- quality product, thus giving a new impetus to the entire supply chain and providing coffee farmers with new tools and machines for the success of a new type of product. In 1991, we decided to offer concrete recognition to farmers who agreed to adhere to our quality and sustainability principles. This is why we created an award which, over time, would become the most important award for coffee quality. Since 2008, this recognition has been called the Ernesto Illy Award for quality espresso coffee, to pay tribute to the honorary president of illy.
Ernesto Illy International
Coffee Award
The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award, named in memory of illy's visionary leader, son of the company's founder, celebrates the work that, we have been doing every day for almost 30 years alongside farmers to offer the best sustainable coffee in the world.
Every year we select for you the 9 finest coffees from the most sustainable crops. Thanks to the commitment of an international jury of experts, we celebrate the best coffee crops in the world to give you the privilege of tasting something exclusive every month in our illy stores.
Discover the rare and precious notes of the 9 coffees
Each of them is available only in its unrepeatable vintage and only for one month exclusively in illy Caffès. Some outlets might be closed due to local restrictions.
ITALY
- illy Caffè - Monte Napoleone, Milano
- illy Rinascente, Milano
- illy Caffè - Gae Aulenti, Milano
- illy Caffè - CC Porta di Roma
- espressamente illy - Montecitorio, Roma
- illy Caffè - Giardini Reali, Venezia
- illy Shop - Roma
- illy Ponterosso, Trieste
FRANCE
- illy - Rue Auber, Paris
- illy - Opéra, Paris
GREAT BRITAIN
- illy Caffè - Regent Street, London
- illy Caffè - South Kengsington, London
JULY
GUATEMALA
A full-bodied coffee, recognizable for the perfect balance between acidity and bitterness, is characterized by notes of chocolate and toasted bread.
Producer: Finca El Consuelo
Altitude: 1400-1850 mt
Process: washed
Guatemala 100%: Huehuetenango
"We started to plant coffee in the Fiftees of last century at finca El Consuelo and just before 2000 we met illycaffè, from which we learnt a lot not only about coffee but also in terms of respect of nature"
Jorge Perez
JUNE
COSTA RICA
With a nice intensity of acidity and sweetness, this full-bodied coffee stands out for its fruity notes.
Producer: Coopeatenas R.L.
Altitude: 900-1300 mt
Process: washed
Costa Rica 100%: West Valley
"It is an honor to share this important annual award with the great illy family: Coopeatenas is made up of 1300 small producers and for all of us coffee is passion, pride and hope"
Juan Carlos Álvarez
MAY
ETHIOPIA
A coffee with delicate floral notes of jasmine, enhanced by its particular acidity and sweetness.
Producer:Legesse Sherefa Pvt Ltd Company
Altitude: 1700 – 2200 mt
Process: washed
Ethiopia 100%: Yirgacheffe
“For 45 years we have been exporting our coffee to different parts of the world and when it comes to quality and social responsibility, illy is like a mentor for us.”
Ahmed Legesse
APRIL
INDIA
The coffee is bitterness and full-bodied, with notes of chocolate and caramel.
Producer: Rosewood Estate
Altitude: 1.090 mt
Process: washed
India 100%: Chickmagalur
“Coffee is a passion! For a good quality coffee, there must be a correct application of agronomic practices and post-harvest operations.”
Abul Jabbar
MARCH
BRAZIL
A full-bodied and balanced coffee with a peculiar aroma of toasted bread and caramel.
Producer: Fazenda Sequoia
Altitude: 1200 mt
Process: semiwashed
Brazil 100%: Chapada de Minas
“Brazil has a great history of coffee, which is part of the culture of our country. But making quality coffee is a philosophy: illy values a different product and above all it values us producers.”
Rodrigo Crimaudo
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