Leblon Cachaca Dazzles Europe By Winning First-Ever Cachaca Master 2010 and 'Best of Class' IWSC Awards

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Leblon, producer of Brazil's handcrafted Cachaca (pronounced ka-SHA-sa) today announced two first-place spirits awards wins in Europe.  The first award, Cachaca Master 2010, was presented by The Spirits Business Magazine.  It was the top award at this competition that was the first in the U.K. dedicated exclusively to the Cachaca category.  Leblon was deemed the best tasting among 18 other brands, encompassing both aged (over three years) and non-aged (white) spirits.  The second award, sponsored by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), was for "Best of Class" in the Cachaca category.  The IWSC is one of the oldest and most revered independent spirits competitions in the world.  Entries are judged blindly and then undergo vigorous technical analysis to assure their quality when purchased by consumers.

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"We are honored to have received these two prestigious awards," said Gilles Merlet, Master Distiller, Leblon.  "At Leblon, we have dedicated ourselves to elevating the quality and the overall experience of Cachaca, Brazil's noble spirit.  We are proud that our efforts have been recognized by these respected U.K. organizations.  The fact that Cachaca was given its own award category by The Spirits Business Magazine really shows its irrefutable popularity.  Moreover, it's here to stay."

"I'm delighted that the U.K.'s spirits experts have given Leblon their highest seals of approval," said Tony Conigliaro, legendary mixologist and owner of 69 Colebrooke Row in London's Islington district.  "Through my work with Gilles over the past few years, I have grown to respect his incredible palate and knowledge.  It's our most requested Cachaca.  We use it in one of our drinks called the "Lime Plus +," a kind of Cachaca lime sour, which is enormously popular at the bar."

About Leblon Cachaca

Leblon is a handcrafted Cachaca (pronounced ka-SHA-sa) produced at Maison Leblon in Minas Gerais, Brazil's agricultural heartland.  Distilled from freshly pressed sugar cane juice, Leblon is then rested in XO Cognac casks and blended to create superior complexity and taste.  Leblon is the leading Cachaca brand in high-end establishments and is the premier base spirit of the Caipirinha (pronounced kai-pur-EEN-ya), the national cocktail of Brazil.  

Available in all 50 U.S. states, Leblon recently won the "2010 Rising Star Growth Brand" Award by the Beverage Information Group and "Best Cachaca" with a Double Gold Medal Award at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, its fifth Gold Medal win to date.  

Leblon's quality is recognized around the world.  In 2010, the spirit earned the top ranking of "Cachaca Master 2010" from the The Spirits Business Magazine, based in the U.K., as well as the IWSC's "Best of Class."  Leblon also garnered "Best in Class" at the Rum Experience International Tasting Competition – London.  Leblon is also available in Brazil, France, the U.K., Italy, Ireland, Canada, Thailand, Spain and Portugal.  For more information, visit www.leblon.com.

SOURCE Leblon Cachaca