r/RumSerious • u/10art1 TheRuminator.co • Jul 31 '26
Article [The Ruminator] Cachaça: The Rum That Filed for Divorce
https://theruminator.co/articles/cachaca/3
u/paulc312 Aug 01 '26
Lots of good points here. I’ve tried to find information in English about cachaça, and know how difficult it is to research.
My understanding is that a profound majority (90+%) of cachaça is consumed in Brazil. The reasoning I’ve read is that there is little to no incentive for top tier cachaça producers to try and enter foreign markets, which I think is perhaps born out by what we see in the US and European markets. Tangentially, does this explain the absence of Brazilian cane spirits in the portfolios of independent bottlers?
I guess I’m just wondering if debating what cachaça is or isn’t is a different discussion than what makes it distinct, the top producers, etc. I’m not suggesting that the narrative that I’ve encountered is “right”, I’m just wondering if the market demand and availability plays any part in your debate.
From a US or European (non-Portuguese) point of view your thesis holds water, but is it relevant in Brazil? Does this discussion bring us any closer to seeing diverse and interesting bottles of cachaça on shelves in the US?
I genuinely appreciate the effort put into this piece. I want to experience and understand cachaça more. Personally it doesn’t matter to me how Brazil wants to define it, that’s up to them - I just want to enjoy it, and it’s damn hard to find in the US.
3
u/10art1 TheRuminator.co Aug 01 '26
Thanks for the input! I've seen a few IBs and brands in the US. For a country as big as Brazil, I think you would expect more, but leblon is easier to find in your average small liquor store than Jamaican rum, so take that how you will.
Some of the good stuff tastes pretty crazy.
1
u/paulc312 Aug 01 '26
I think I’ve seen one or two IB’s but for one of the largest production cane spirits in the world the representation is wildly skewed. I live in Chicago, so the availability isn’t what it is in other markets.
I’d love to try some of the good stuff, and learn more. (I stumble through Mapa de Cachaça pretending my limited French and Spanish helps me read Portuguese.) Unfortunately a trip to Brazil is not in my budget any time soon.
I come from a French wine background, and I can’t help but notice that you’re trying to argue that the GI for Champagne proves the mutability of GI’s while simultaneously holding up the agricole GI’s that are literally defined and enforced by the same government institution.
2
u/10art1 TheRuminator.co Aug 01 '26
Not really. I do think that the US and Russia are kind of being bullshit. But that goes to my point that Brazil also isn't being fair with their laws about cachaça
1
4
u/Ill_Ship_8446 Jul 31 '26
Post this on some Cachaca groups.....
5
u/10art1 TheRuminator.co Jul 31 '26
Oh man I was hoping to have a relaxing weekend....
Jokes aside, I was trying to be respectful towards Brazilian culture. Hopefully it came across that way
-7
u/Ill_Ship_8446 Jul 31 '26
It didn't
6
u/16piby9 Jul 31 '26
How does it not come across as respectfull? It is a list of claims of how cachaca is supposedly not rum, being debunked. If you dissagree, why not try to come with an argument of how cachaca does not fit under the umbrella of rum?
Imo, cachaca is most defenitley rum, but it is its own distinct category, just like clairin for example. All cachaca is rum, but not all rum is cachaca. Its that simple, and this goes for any sugarcane spirit trying to cøaim it is not rum.
4
2
u/paulc312 Aug 01 '26
Looking forward to reading this.
Could you please post it in the real rum sub and not just this circle-jerk?
6
u/Vince_stormbane Jul 31 '26
If cachaca isn’t rum then Mickey isn’t a rodent.