Leblon Cachaca
Leblon Cachaca is a 40% ABV (80 proof), 750mL Brazilian cachaça from Maison Leblon at Patos de Minas, in the highlands of Minas Gerais — distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, never molasses, which is what sets cachaça apart from rum. The cane is hand-harvested and gently pressed within hours; the juice is fermented and distilled in small batches in traditional alambique copper pot stills under master distiller Gilles Merlet, a Cognac-region Frenchman who applies winemaking technique to cane; the spirit is then rested for up to six months in French XO Cognac casks and blended across batches. It won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for nine consecutive years, 2006–2014, with Double Gold and Best Cachaca honours in 2007 and 2010–2013. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US bottling)
- Style: Cachaça — fresh sugarcane juice spirit, clear to very pale straw
- Production: Hand-harvested cane, gently pressed; small-batch distillation in alambique copper pot stills
- Resting: Up to 6 months in French XO Cognac casks, then blended across batches
- Awards: SFWSC Gold nine consecutive years (2006–2014); Double Gold / Best Cachaca 2007, 2010–2013
- Producer: Maison Leblon, Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil — brand launched 2005; master distiller Gilles Merlet
Fresh Cane, Copper Pots, a Cognac Touch
Leblon was launched in 2005 to show what cachaça could be when it was made like a fine wine: estate cane from the Minas Gerais highlands, pressed gently rather than squeezed for yield, distilled in copper alambiques, and polished in the Cognac casks master distiller Gilles Merlet brought from his native tradition. The short cask rest keeps the spirit clear and cane-fresh while rounding its edges — fruit, spice and a gentle sweetness instead of raw fire. Find it on the Leblon vendor page or explore the rum and cachaca shelf where the store files it.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Lively and fruity — fresh-cut sugarcane, spice and fruit (producer notes). Palate: Warming, with a gentle sweetness mid-tongue; spice, toffee and banana in retailer notes. Finish: Ultra-smooth, light-to-medium bodied.
How to Enjoy
The canonical serve is the Caipirinha — Leblon, lime and sugar over crushed ice, Brazil's national cocktail. It also pours neatly on its own, or stands in for tequila in a Margarita-style serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cachaça the same as rum? No — cachaça is distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice; rum is made from molasses or other cane by-products. (Del Mesa files this bottle under its Rum type for shelving.)
How is Leblon made? Hand-harvested Minas Gerais cane, gently pressed, fermented, and distilled in small-batch copper pot stills, then rested up to six months in French XO Cognac casks.
How strong is it? 40% ABV (80 proof) in this 750mL US bottling.
Brazil's national spirit, made the slow way — order Leblon Cachaca from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.