We were excited to see the well-known rum authority Matt Pietrek breaking down the difference between cachaca and its closest cousin, rhum agricole from the French colonies.  "Brazil’s forests are a wonderland of exotic hardwoods, some rarely found outside that country. Cachaça makers aren’t shy about using these unusual woods, which impart extremely unique and intense flavor notes you’ve likely never experienced elsewhere." 

https://bevvy.co/articles/rhum-agricole-vs-cachaca-clearing-canefusion/15123