Campari America Re-introduces Brazil’s Top Cachaça to American Consumers
Campari America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), announced the highly anticipated, reintroduction of the Sagatiba® Cachaça portfolio in select U.S. markets in time to celebrate International Cachaça Day (today, June 12). Embodying the rich history and unique flair of its origin, Cachaça remains the number-one sugarcane spirit in Brazil and a favorite signature ingredient in the Caipirinha cocktail. Sagatiba, a coveted premium cachaça, is now available in New York, Florida, Southern California, Northern California and Nevada.
Formerly referred to as “Brazilian rum” in the U.S., cachaça (pronounced ka-SHAH-sa) is a spirit made from sugarcane juice, which differentiates it from rum made from molasses. Fusing more than 500 years of Brazilian cachaça-making tradition with an insatiable appetite for innovation, Sagatiba is made using hand-cut sugarcane that is matured 12-18 months, then naturally fermented with proprietary yeast, and then distilled without any additives. The name Sagatiba is derived from the Nordic suffix saga translated as “legendary search” and Brazilian native Tupi word tiba translated as “everlasting.” Bridging the gap between the past and the present is the contemporary artwork featured on Sagatiba’s packaging. The imagery pays homage to the rich history of cachaça, along with Brazilian culture by artistically incorporating pot stills and column stills; the Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro; a star, which is part of Brazil’s coat of arms; and the face of a woman, within the bottle design.
“Cachaça is the third-largest spirits category in the world and is quickly becoming one of the hottest, fastest growing categories in the U.S. market,” said Umberto Luchini, Head of Marketing, Campari America. “We’re excited to share one of Brazil’s favorite exports with American consumers.”
Founded by Brazilian entrepreneur Marcos de Moraes in 2004 and purchased by Gruppo Campari in 2011, Sagatiba’s portfolio offers consumers two expressions of high quality cachaça. Pura (pronounced Poor-Ra) is an un-aged cachaça primarily marketed towards a demographic that loves mixed drinks. Their second offering, Velha (pronounced Vel-Ya), is aged for two to three years and is for those who prefer drinking dark spirits ‘neat’ or ‘on-the-rocks.’
· Sagatiba Pura (SRP: $24.99/750ml): Delicate aroma of fresh cut sugarcane with a clean, smooth mouth feel , and a slightly lively botanical flavor. It is highly versatile and mixable given its clean, pure flavor. Ideal for the classic Caipirinha or a fresh fruit Caipirinha. It can also be used in place of vodka for many cocktails.
· Sagatiba Velha (SRP: $29.99/750ml): Smooth, layered with notes of butternut and plantain. Savor it neat, as a chilled shot, or as an alternative to aged rum or tequila in many classic cocktails.
Signature Cocktails:
Sagatiba Pura Caipirinha
· 2 1/2 ounces Sagatiba Pura
· Half a fresh lime (cut into wedges)
· 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar
Directions: Squeeze and drop lime wedges into rocks glass. Add sugar and muddle. Add Sagatiba Pura, fill with ice cubes and stir. Get creative and replace lime with any fresh fruit for a unique twist on the classic Caipirinha.
Sagatiba Velha Strawberry Shot
· 1 chilled shot Sagatiba Velha
· Strawberries
· 1 hot pepper
· 1 cup powdered or granular sugar
Directions: Slice pepper and muddle with sugar. Soak strawberries in muddled mixture. Drink chilled shot of Sagatiba Velha and follow with bite of strawberry.
In February 2013, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a final ruling recognizing Brazil’s national spirit as an official spirit and a distinctive product of Brazil. Under the final rule, products that meet the identity standards for cachaça may be labeled as such and no longer need to include the term “Brazilian Rum” on the packaging.
