What is the Difference Between Rum and Cachaca?

The main difference between rum and cachaça lies in the raw materials and the production process. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

1. Raw materials: Rum is usually made from molasses, a by-product obtained after boiling cane juice to extract as much sugar crystal as possible. In contrast, cachaça is made from fresh sugarcane juice, which is fermented and distilled.
2. Origin: Rum is a global spirit that can be produced anywhere in the world, while cachaça can only be made in Brazil. The Brazilian government protects the term "cachaça" and strictly limits its production.
3. Production process: Cachaça is a more rustic spirit, with the production process involving fewer transformations compared to rum. Rum goes through more refining, and its production has a more global reach.
4. Flavor: Cachaça retains a grassy, sulfurous, earthy quality due to its distillation from raw sugarcane, while rum is sweeter with more notes of vanilla. This is because rum is made from molasses, which brings out the cooked sugarcane flavors.
5. Alcohol content: Rum can contain between 40% and 60% alcohol by volume, while cachaça is limited to 40%.

In summary, rum and cachaça are distinct cane-based spirits with different raw materials, production processes, origins, flavors, and alcohol content. While they share some similarities, they are unique spirits with distinct characteristics.

Comparative Table: Rum vs Cachaca

Here is a table comparing the differences between Rum and Cachaça:

Rum is made from molasses or sugarcane juice and is produced in various countries, while Cachaça is a Brazilian spirit made exclusively from sugarcane juice. Additionally, rum's alcohol content typically ranges from 40% to over 50% ABV, while Cachaça's alcohol content usually falls between 38% and 48% ABV. In terms of flavor, rum's profile can vary depending on the style, but Cachaça is known for its fresh, grassy, and slightly sweet taste. Both spirits can be aged or unaged.