Clement Rhum Agricole
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We have a treat today - not one but two different half casks of French Caribbean rum. For those unfamiliar with Agricole rum, put any preconceived notions aside as it is distinct from more traditional rums of the world. Rhum Clément was first established in 1887 when Martinique political icon Homère Clément bought Domaine de l’Acajou in Le François, Martinique. Homere’s innovative thinking and political influence during the Caribbean sugar crisis resulted in economic success and a unique type of rum from Martinique: Rhum Agricole, distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice (instead of molasses). Today they follow in the footsteps of the “God-Father” of Agricole by continuing to combine tradition and modernity with each bottle of Rhum Clément. Both of these have been aged a little over 4 years in bourbon casks, then 11 months in sherry. The first has been aged in a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask, while the second aged in an Oloroso sherry cask. The effects of the secondary barrel is evident in the end result. While both dense and fruit-filled, the Oloroso adds a bit more depth and spice, while the PX a touch more creaminess and sweetness.
- Creamy on the nose, this one gives thin mint cookies, rich grape concentrate, lots of honey sweetness with ground baking spices and sweet luxardo cherry.
- The palate is silky yet full, plum skin, ripe cherries, worn leather, dark chocolate, with pleasantly lingering pepper, clove, allspice and fresh herbs.
- A medium finish, saturating with bright pops of cherry, allspice, tobacco, and barrel char and a long grassy linger.
Clement Oloroso Sherry Cask Rum
- The nose is dense maple syrup, peanut butter cookies, smoke, ground cinnamon and nutmeg, white pepper, with a smidge of floral and gobs of toasted sugar sweetness. Thick, subtly perfumed with spice.
- The palate is saturating with peanut butter, licorice, rich toasted oak heavy brown sugar coated dark fruits, tobacco and tart cherry. Torched plum, red apple skin, raw cacao.
- The finish is long, long long. Tingling all the way down with well placed peppercorn, cinnamon, dried tobacco leaf and aged oak, never forgetting the deep dark fruits.
