Beleza Cachaca

[LCchemist]

I had never tried Cachaca before, so I bought a bottle of Beleza Pura as it was the only one in stock at the liquor store. I took it home and made a Caipirinha. The flavor was like a smokey white tequila to me. So it this a typical flavor for Cachaca, or did I pick a peculiar brand?

[RobertBurr]

that flavor profile is typical of many expressions of that genre.

[VicZinc]

Beleza does have that raw vegetative aroma reminiscent of agave. It is often noted in Cachaзa - at least the ones that are smooth enough to let you notice.

I have been nursing this bottle of BPSP for several days just sipping away and thinking of the tequila flavor. Today I wanted a cocktail and - ouch , I am out of limes. Hmmm...whats this? A bottle of maraschino cherries and, hey, orange juice!

I am now sipping a mock Cachaзa sunrise. Hey - its not half bad!

[Scottes]

I reviewed the Beleza Pura last year, comparing it to leblon and Fazenda Mae De Ouro.

http://scottesrum.com/category/comparisons/3-cachacas/

I also tried caipirinhas made with each:
http://scottesrum.com/2007/08/05/3-caipirinhas/


In short, I liked the Fazenda better than the Beleza, but the Beleza is quite good. Since those reviews I've had about 6 or 8 cachacas, and all of them seemed to be "Americanized" by making them closer to vodka by double- and triple-distilling. (The Leblon, mention in the reviews above, is one of those.) They lost much of the flavor that makes cachaca unique. While I could taste all those unique cachaca tastes in each, they could not compare to the Beleza or Fazenda.

I can't call myself any form of cachaca expert, having had only 10 of the 5,000+ cachacas made in Brazil... But the Beleza is pretty darn good in my book.

[LCchemist]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I'll have to try the Fazenda Mae De Ouro.

[Scottes]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I'll have to try the Fazenda Mae De Ouro.
Luckily you should be able to get it, as they distribute in NY. Let me know if you can't find it.

[LCchemist]

I did finally find the Fazenda Mae De Ouro, and tried caipirinhas made with this and the Beleza side by side. I couldn't agree with Scottes more. The Fazenda makes a much more balanced drink and I enjoyed it immensely. Also after repeated sampling of the Beleza, I don't taste the smoke as much as I remembered from my first tasting, and the flavor is definitely starting to grow on me.

[Edward Hamilton]

As you explore different styles of sugar cane spirit expect to be surprised by the different flavors you discover. And as you proceed on the journey expect your expectations to change. Revisiting the first bottles you tasted may surprise you.

[Tiare]

Revisiting the first bottles you tasted may surprise you.

A good advice that, Ed! Btmup.gif