Avuá Cachaça

As with rhum agricole, Brazilian Cachaça is created by distilling pressed sugar cane instead of molasses. This gives the spirit a more vegetal and funky character. There are generally two styles of Cachaça made in Brazil, white or gold. The unaged or white is sometimes bottled directly after being brought down to proof without resting in a stainless steel tank and can often be harsh and fuel-like in character. Better versions are rested in stainless steel tanks for several months in order for the harsh edges to smooth out. The aged versions are sometimes rested in exotic South American woods giving them a totally unique flavor unlike anything else in the world.

Avuá Cachaça utilizes the best of both styles. Their Prata is rested in stainless steel, and their Amburana is aged in casks of its namesake wood. Amburana has some characteristics similar to American oak and cherry wood, but is spicier than either. Interestingly, there are a few Brazilian beers who also use Amburana wood chips in their brewing process.

Avuá Cachaça Prata (84 proof)
Visual: Clear.
Nose: Slightly floral and almost grassy notes with a tart buttermilk edge.
Taste: Light, but with a masculine air. The distillate is not overdone to the point of a blank palette, you’ll find a hefty dose of terroir here.
Finish: There is an almost yogurty aftertaste that is both creamy and slightly sour.
Overall: A very amicable Cachaça that is perfect for a caipirinha.
GSN Rating: B+

Avuá Cachaça Amburana (80 proof)
Visual: Very light pale gold.
Nose: Dark, sandalwood-like aroma with characteristic cachaça funk.
Taste: An unusual Indian cooking spice flavor wrapped around a creamy sugar cane base.
Finish: Medium-long with additional notes of woody spice on the sides of the tongue and tannins in the back of the mouth. The sweet cane essence holds everything together.
Overall: The Latin American Amburana wood used in aging, gives this spirit a robust and highly spiced flavor. Perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks with a small squeeze of lime juice; this is a cachaça that begs to be experimented with in cocktails.
GSN Rating: A-

For more information go to: Avuá Cachaça

Massachusetts-based M.S. Walker is introducing two new rums under the Ron Virgin brand. The first, Ron Virgin Black Spiced, marks M.S. Walker’s entrance into the fast-growing high-proof rum segment. Retailing at $19.99 a 750-ml., Ron Virgin Black Spiced is a 94-proof, heavy-bodied dark rum from the West Indies blended with exotic spices. It’s joined by fellow newcomer Ron Virgin Bold, a 70-proof coconut rum suited to tropical cocktails that retails at $17.99 a 750-ml.

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Single malt Scotch The Dalmore Selected by Daniel Boulud is being extended into national distribution. The 44%-abv malt developed in collaboration with the renowned chef retails around $200 a bottle, of which 1,000 are making their way to market. It’s also on offer for $50 a glass at each of Boulud’s six New York City restaurants, where it first appeared in a limited rollout this spring. The Dalmore is part of the Whyte & Mackay Americas portfolio.

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Brazil’s Avuá Cachaça has expanded its presence in the U.S. First launched in New York in April, the single-estate, small-batch brand has since entered the Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles markets. The range currently includes Avuá Cachaça Prata ($35 a 750-ml.), which is rested in steel tanks for six months prior to bottling, and Avuá Cachaça Amburana ($50 a 750-ml.), aged for up to two years in Amburana wood casks. The brand is self-imported by New York-based Avuá Imports.

Brown-Forman’s Collingwood Canadian whisky brand has released Collingwood Rye 21-year-old in select U.S. and Canadian markets. Made with 100% malted rye and spring water from Ontario’s Georgian Bay, the new, 80-proof offering is matured for 21 years in oak barrels and then rested in toasted maplewood prior to bottling. Limited quantities of Collingwood Rye 21-year-old are currently available in 16 U.S. markets and Ontario starting this month, priced at $69.99 a 750-ml.