Most Awesome Cachaça Collection I've Yet Seen In North America

I found this treasure trove today at Sam's Wine & Spirits in Chicago's South Loop.

Here, you can see Cachaça 61 (ten better than Cachaça 51, I guess?), Ypióca Ouro and Crystal, Leblon, Rio D, Água Luca, and both varieties — bálsamo and jequitibá rosa — of the absolutely sublime Aroma Brasil. 

The reason why you can only see the bálsamo Aroma Brasil there is because I bought the last jequitibá rosa. The bálsamo was on sale for $19.99, so I grabbed that too. (It's just as good, if not better, than the five-barrel-awarded jequitibá rosa.)

Also took home the Água Luca.

Now that my travel is going to stick to this continent for the foreseeable future, you'll see more results from the tasting lab.

Comments

[Derek Elefson]

Hi Phil,
We've got a lot in common. I'm a cachaça aficionado, married to a Brazilian, (used to) live in Chicago, and travel to Brazil frequently. I've also had the privilege of visiting multiple "alambiques" (distilleries) in Brazil. I am familiar with all of the brands that you've found at Sam's, except Aroma, so I was intrigued by the fact that you rated it 5 barrels. I am now on the hunt for it. -By the way, in case your readers missed it 51 and 61 refer to the year that the distilleries were founded (1951 & 1961). When I first saw 61 I immediately thought it was a cheap attempt at being a wanna be 51, but later learned the truth behind the brand names. Actually there are other brands by numbers in Brazil as well. None stand out as much as 51, which is one of the largest (volume) selling brands of any cachaça. -That is not an endorsement, however, as it is also an "industrial" product. Saúde!
Derek, fellow cachaça hound.

[Phil]

Hey, Derek!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if your travels take you to the Windy City!