Cachaca

WHAT IS CACHAÇA?

Cachaça is a Brazilian spirit distilled from sugar cane juice. It is the third most consumed spirit in the world behind only vodka and soju/shochu, the asian distillates from rice. Historians date the initial creation of Cachaça between 1532 and 1550 in Brazil, predating the date of creation of rum (1651 in Barbados) by more than one hundred years. Unlike Rum, which is usually made from molasses, Cachaça can only be made from the fresh cane juice found in Brazil. 99% of Cachaça is consumed in Brazil – over 1.3 billion liters per year. Brazilian law requires that Cachaça be distilled no higher than 54% alcohol by volume, and bottled between 38% and 48% alcohol by volume. That being said, most export Cachaça has an alcohol content similar to vodka, tequila, rum, or gin.

ABOUT THE DISTILLERY

We produce Leblon Cachaça at our distillery in Patos de Minas, the heart of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We combine traditional approaches with creative European winemaking techniques to create a Cachaça that is extra special. Gilles Merlet, famous master distiller from the Cognac Region of France, takes Cachaça to a whole new level with his ‘French touch,’ transforming our distillery in Patos de Minas to the state-of-the-art Maison Leblon. Gilles produces small batches using alembique copper potstills, then polishes the Cachaça in XO Cognac Casks for an ultra-smooth taste. The Cachaça is then blended across batches for flavor complexity, body, and aroma.