Objective Notes

Very Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth). 

Leblon cachaça is clear in color, just as you should expect from an unaged rum.  The aromas reveal nothing artificial, just cut and skinned sugar cane, earthy and more grassy than sweet, with pear a touch of anise. The alcohols are gentle.

Initial tastes of raw cane are as expected, but with a welcome distinction: a reduced sweetness makes way instead for a more leafy cane flavor.  A medium and clean body is more robust than you’d expect from an unaged cachaça that’s intended for mixing, but culminates in a slightly anise finish, becoming slightly sweet of cane stalk at the very end.

Anecdotal Notes

Leblon is produced in Minas, often regarded by Brazilians as their premier cachaça producing region. Leblon cachaça originates from fresh cane juice, then proprietary yeasts are introduced.  The resulting must is fermented for about 15 hours, then distilled in a French style using alembique copper pot stills.  The spirit is further refined in casks previously hosting XO Cognac.  What sets Leblon apart in the USA from the other up and coming spirits that are trying to steal a slice of the (vodka) cocktail crowd, is much more than their contemporary marketing; Leblon delivers a spirit with delicious natural flavors.

Tasters’ Opinion

Dave - Thankfully, the Leblon group are serious about introducing new cocktail recipe’s to expand the party, not just steal a page from the typical bartender’s recipe book.  The makers got it right:  their cachaça seems purposely distilled to achieve flavors that cry our for lime, mint, and a little sweetness, with especially agave nectar being a particularly nice complement.  I tried Leblon cachaça in three very different cocktails.  The Leblon Caipirinha was my favorite, followed by the Piranha, a close third was the Mango Passion. While I could drink anybody’s caipirinha’s on hot afternoons, s

tarting with Leblon makes the cocktail that much more enjoyable.  The other drinks expanded my cocktail repertoire to better suit the mood of my guests.  Finally, Leblon cachaça is flavorful and smooth enough to sip. I call that success.

Roger - Leblon is a fine cachaça that is intended to be enjoyed in your favorite cocktail. I tried it in a Brazilian caipirinha and really enjoyed the refreshing flavors I discovered. Leblon cachaça is new to many markets as is cachaça in general to the USA. I encourage you to try it and compare it to your favorite silver or white rum in your favorite cocktails. I’m sure you will get interesting results and have great time. Cheers!

Taster's Rating (10 is best): Dave - 8.5 Flasks; Roger – 8 Flasks 

Most recently tasted by:  Dave and Roger, May 2009 at RnD’s South and North Tasting Rooms, USA.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.