One of the most enjoyable parts of my job as Spirits Buyer is getting to try products from all over the world, many of them unique to specific regions, countries, or even smaller locales. It is fascinating to experience the variety of flavors and aromas that can be achieved from the same set of base ingredients. Some of these flavors admittedly did not appeal to me at first. But it’s funny how time and experience can change that.
When I was first introduced to rums made from sugarcane, the wildly vegetal “funky” flavors (e.g. overripe fruit, grass, brine, petrol) were hard to wrap my head around. How on earth do people like this? I suppose it’s like how as a younger man I thought Sam Adams Boston Lager was “too hoppy”. For those who know, it’s not. It took having a few more beers in my life to understand what hoppy really meant.
Eventually you have that “aha” moment, when your understanding of something changes. It’s funny, but this affordably priced bottle of pot-still Brazilian Cachaça was that moment for me with sugarcane rum. It packs a ton of delicious, unique flavors: plantains, green banana, and mango skin with a refreshing hint of vegetal grassy, olive brine funk. It makes for a very tasty and subtly complex caipirinha.
Our liquor specialist Chris will be pouring Magnifica at his Tiki Tasting Bar this Saturday from 3-6pm so please stop by for a sample!
