Cachaça Senhor dos Passos Jequitibá Rosa

This Cachaça from Minas Gerais, a Brazilian state renowned for its high-quality artisanal cachaças, is crafted using a manual process. It involves hand-harvesting the cane, fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and distillation in copper stills. The producer emphasizes strict quality control, using only the heart of the distillate and maintaining copper and stainless steel equipment throughout the process. The still's history began with the patriarch, who balanced a corporate career with his agricultural passion for over 28 years, supported by his wife. This passion was passed down to his children, one of whom studied Agricultural Engineering to continue the legacy. The farm, once dedicated to banana cultivation, shifted to sugar cane production for this drink after a family discussion. The owners pursued training to enhance their techniques, with an agronomist now overseeing production. The name originates from a centuries-old ritual where a sculpture of Nosso Senhor dos Passos is bathed in cachaça on Ash Wednesday, with the liquid shared among the faithful for its purported healing properties. Legend claims the cachaça preserves the sacred artifact and prevents wood deterioration, as it's the only sacred item in the church's history not affected by time or insects. Tasting notes: Pale yellow, clear, aromatic, with balanced alcohol and acidity, and a sweetness from the sugar cane.