Leblon - Cachaça (750ml)

"We produce Leblon Cachaça at our distillery in Patos de Minas, in the heart of Minas Gerais, Brazil (think sugar cane fields). 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."

Inside the tall, distinctive lime-green bottle, look for a faintly yellow-tinged liquid with pungent, ripe tropical fruit aromas. Though it s a little intense straight up, with brown sugar sweetness fading into a long fruity finish, it stands up well in a long drink with soda, like a mojito. - K.N.