AGUARDENTE COMPOSTA COQUEIRO AZULADA

The sugarcane aguardiente known as Azuladinha originates from Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, and has been made for over 150 years. However, legislative changes in Brazil at the start of the 21st century halted its registration and ended a tradition. Azuladinha, also called Laranjinha Celeste, is a blue aguardiente made from sugarcane and is the oldest on record. Its blue color comes naturally from distilling with tangerine leaves inside the still. The Laranjinha Celeste brand is now used by Cachaça Maria Izabel from the Santo Antônio farm in Paraty. Other producers make this aguardiente but, to get registered and sell it, they had to swap tangerine leaves for an extract with the same substance, which removed the blue color. The Coqueiro brand uses this extract and its aguardiente isn't blue. To get the original blue version, you need to go to Paraty and find a different maker. Tasting profile: vibrant and clear, fragrant, citrus hints, sugarcane sweetness, green and herbaceous notes, pleasing coolness, alcohol is noticeable but well-balanced, lingering finish.