Spirited Saturday - Pisco & Cachaca

Aug 17, 2024

3 pm - 6 pm

Pisco & Cachaca

Two staples of South America’s spirit and cocktail scene, Pisco and Cachaca are quite different despite their often-similar outward appearance. Pisco is, in essence, a type of brandy, which is to say that it's a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice. Beyond that, it's far removed from, and in some ways even diametrically opposed to, the type of brandy that most people conjure up in their heads, namely, well-aged Cognac. Oak barrels figure prominently, and some would say dominantly, in developing the flavor profiles of aged whiskeys, brandies and rums. However, one of the key regulations of pisco is that it cannot be aged in wood at all.

Much as Mexico has tequila, America has bourbon, and Russia has vodka, cachaça is the spirit of Brazil. Best known for its role in the Caipirinha, cachaça—a spicy, sweet, and fruity clear liquor distilled from fermented sugarcane juice—must, by law, be produced in Brazil and contain alcohol by volume of 38 to 48 percent. Cachaça, rum and even rhum agricole are all distilled from sugarcane. But each spirit is produced through slightly different processes. Technically, cachaça can only be made in Brazil from fresh cane juice, which is fermented and single distilled. Rum, on the other hand, can be made anywhere, and is usually produced from molasses, a cooked byproduct of sugar production, and distilled to much higher percentages of alcohol by volume.

Lapostolle Pisco, Chile 80 proof

Lapostolle Pisco was created in honor of Jean Baptiste Lapostolle, the Frenchman who founded the House of Marnier-Lapostolle more than 180 years ago. Muscat of Alexandria and Pink Muscat from the Limari and Elqui Valleys are vinified, distilled, and aged using techniques adapted from Cognac production. Lapostolle Pisco has the soul of Cognac, the complexity of Gin, and the versatility of Vodka. Exquisite and floral on the nose, with deeper, earthy tones reminiscent of overripe tropical melon and underbrush. Clean and elegant on the palate, it’s tropical and salty at first before a crisp, mineral, and effortless smooth finish

Capurro Acholado Pisco, Peru, 80 proof

Hand harvested single estate grapes, gently pressed a single time, naturally fermented into wine, Copper Pot distilled once to proof by varietal, rested & blended according to family tradition. Capurro Pisco is made 100% of grapes, undiluted, unfiltered, and with no additives of any kind at any step of the production process. The perfect balance of aromatics and texture, Capurro blends multiple grape varietals to make, this, their family flagship. The actual grapes used, and the recipe is a closely guarded secret.

Leblon Cachaca, 80 proof

To make Leblon, the single estate sugar cane is harvested by hand using machetes then gently pressed to extract only the best juice (or caldo de cana in Portuguese). The fermentation and distillation process uses a specific set of temperatures, times, and yeast that set the stage for a well-balanced spirit. The fermented juice is distilled in alambique copper pot stills, and the distillate is aged in used French cognac casks between 30 days and six months. This light aging adds smoothness without giving it too much oaky flavor like older cachaças, which are preferred for sipping. The entire process behind Leblon is designed to give it a notable "fruit-forward" tone that is light and pure, making it an excellent choice for cocktails. After cutting it with water, the cachaça is bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume

Pitu Gold Cachaca, 80 proof

Pernambuco occupies a distinctive place in the sugarcane culture and in production of Cachaça. Sugar cane was first planted in Fernando de Noronha Island, in 1504, and Cachaça was first drunk on the coast of Pernambuco state between 1516 and 1526. Thus, Cachaça was the first spirit made in America. Produced from newly harvested sugarcane cuts, Pitú represents Brazil’s traditional Cachaça. Besides a strict quality control, the product goes through a resting process in marrying tanks, which gives the product aroma and flavor. Gold Cachaca is 100% aged in American oak barrels for at least two years. Remarkable and smooth taste with typical vanilla notes.

Cocktails

El Capitan

2 oz pisco

1 oz sweet vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Combine ingredients, stir and serve over ice with a cherry garnish

Pan Am

2 oz Gold Cachaca

1 oz Triple Sec

½ oz Miletti Amaro

Combine ingredients, shake well and serve over ice with orange peel garnish

Insider’s tip

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