Review: Seagram’s Brazilian Rum, Complete Lineup
Review: Seagram’s Brazilian Rum, Complete Lineup
It looks like cachaca is continuing its rise, and now even mass market spiriters Seagram’s is getting into the mix.
Seagram’s (yeah, the gin guys!) new line of Brazilian rum doesn’t say cachaca on the label (and doesn’t offer a whole lot of information about what they’re created from or where, aside from “Brazil”), and that’s probably on purpose: At an ultra-affordable $12 a bottle, this is not intended to challenge the consumer with new and confusing terms but entice him into a new category of spirit while keeping a toe-hold on the familiar. “Brazilian” in the name gets that done.
Here’s how the rum — and its two flavored versions — stack up.
Seagram’s Smooth Brazilian Rum – Yeah, that’s the official name (snicker all you like), and compared to many cachacas it is on the mild, easygoing, yes even smooth side. The trademarks of cachaca — rubber, subdued sweetness — are here, but it’s all very mild. This is actually drinkable on its own — when’s the last time you said that about a $12 rum? — but of course it shines with simple mixers or in a caipirinha. Bonus points for such affordability. 80 proof. A- / $12 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
Seagram’s Citrus Brazilian Rum – Very sweet, with a kind of vague lemon/lime kick. Mostly natural-tasting (and specified as “with natural flavors” on the bottle), but it’s a little overpowering, to be honest, but with the right mixer — try club soda — it can work. Go easy on added sweetener. 70 proof. B+ / $12 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
Seagram’s Raspberry Brazilian Rum – You can’t get away from raspberry these days, and here (also a “natural” per the label it’s just too much for me. Even with a mixer, the raspberry flavor is on the cloying side, though it doesn’t taste artificial, just too, too sweet. 70 proof. B / $12 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
Seagram's Smooth Brazilian Rum
$12
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It’s cachaça neither by name nor design:
http://www.cachacagora.com/2009/03/seagrams-responds-their-brazilian-rum-is-not-cacha%C3%A7a.html
Phil – Good points, but even if it’s not by-the-books cachaca, it’s very close stylistically.
How does Seagram’s Raspberry stack up against something like Captain Morgan’s Tattoo rum? Curious as to whether the Seagram’s would be a cheaper alternative to replace the Tattoo I occasionally use in Long Islands.
Last night I made a caipirinha with Seagram’s brazilian rum, but it tasted more like a margarita, and not in a good way. I’ve never had a caipirinha with cachaca– I typically make caipirinha’s with cane-based rum (Barbancourt).
I purchased a l.75litter, served one drink to my company and they hated it.
Seagrams has such a good name that I’m surprised that the Rum was so bad!!
I will try to return the bottle with receipt to the store, see if they will take it back!!
Unhappy!!!
Mark- In my opinion it will not at all, its a very specific taste, and to everyone I have had try it not a great taste.
This stuff made me ill after the second sip. Absolutely horrible stuff.
HORRIBLE! tasted like bad tequila! made me throw up on my hotel room floor! Blah
Bottom line: Seagram’s Brazilian Rum is absolutely a cachaca and a rather good one.
Hello… Capn Jimbo here, of The Rum Project and Rum Project Forum:
http://rumproject.com/rumforum/
Let me clear this up for you. Unfortunately Phil’s link and citation fails. On this page Ed Hamilton states that cachaca “must be distilled to between 38 and 48% abv”. Yet on his “Rum 101” page he contradicts himself and states it is “distilled to between 38 and 54% alcohol by volume”.
Let me clear this up.
Here’s the real deal: According to Brazilian law, cachaca must be distilled from 38 to 54%, but BOTTLED at 38 to 48%. Bottom line: the Seagrams product is absolutely cachaca in accord with Brazilian law.
Unfortunately until recently in the U.S. any spirit derived from sugar cane must be labeled as a rum – so cachaca imported into the US was called “Brazilian Rum.” This apparently changed recently.
Bottom line: Seagram’s “Brazilian Rum” is absolutely, positively cacahca in every regard.
Hope that helps. Do stop by The Rum Project where we have reviewed a number of cachacas and rums (more than 100)…
where can I buy the rum. I live in pa.
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