Leblon Cachaça

This was the first cachaca I found at my local store. It's obviously a beginner cachaca, but it works quite well in mixed drinks (especially a Caipirinha). It can be a little too sugary for my preference, but considering the cost, it's a decent value. The aroma suggests sweetness and also offers hints of pineapple. The taste is very sweet, with a touch of lime zest, vegetal notes, wood, and pepper. The finish disappears fast and though there's a little spice, the sweetness is the most prominent aspect. This cachaca is intended for cocktails. I'd recommend different brands if you plan to sip cachaca straight (like Avua or Novo Fogo), but if you're just making cocktails with it, it's worth having on hand.

It has a grassy character and tastes of tequila, as others have observed. This would make an excellent Paloma. Despite its low cost, it is considerably better than common cachaças like Pitú. Leblon is produced in Minas Gerais, which, according to individuals I know from Brazil, is a necessary criterion for cachaça to be palatable. It is quite good with a bit of curaçao and a large, round ice cube. I plan to prepare a few Maria Sangrentas this weekend.

It starts with abundant fruit reminiscent of tequila and concludes with vanilla and raisin. The finish is similar to Appleton rum, but smoother. I find it delicious on its own and complex enough to still be noticeable in a caipirinha. I think it would also be great with ginger beer or in a margarita.

A very interesting spirit. There were hints of sugarcane, but it wasn't very sweet. Some bitterness was present, but mostly a vegetal quality – like cooked asparagus or wilted grass. On the aroma, there were hints of plantain or unripe banana, but that was lost in the flavor. Still good, despite how it sounds.

"Grassy" definitely captures the essence. It's sugary, vanilla-like, syrupy, leafy, herbal, and tangy, with a prominent white grape flavor, but the grassy aspect is dominant. No one would realistically drink this straight, but it truly makes an outstanding caiparinha.

An intense Cachaça from Brazil, made from 100% sugar cane juice. It begins with an aroma of sugar cane and earth, leading to a complex life and a long, bold finish. November 2016 / June 2017