If you want a taste of the Caribbean, rum is the spirit of choice. We’re big fans of daquiris and Dark and Stormy cocktails, and you can’t do a Hot Toddy, Hurricane, or a Mai Tai without rum. Now that it’s officially summer, it’s time to break out the bottles whether you’re a pirate or not, and we’ve been tasting one of the granddaddy brands of rum that you might not know as well as some others.
Rhum Clement dates from 1887, when the founder pioneered a natural style of rum from fresh pressed sugarcane juice known today as Rhum Agricole, on the isle of Martinique. You can now visit the lovely estate and registered French historical landmark, Habitation Clément (formerly known as Domaine de l’Acajou,), and check out where rum has been made for over 125 years. They offer a wide line of options in their portfolio, and sent several bottles to us for tasting.
We can start with what they call the Première Canne– a white rum that is made, like the others, from sugarcane juice. This one rests for just over nine months in a stainless steel vat and is slowly reduced over time with distilled volcanic spring water, and we were a initially a bit uncertain about the lack of oak aging. But, this one caught us by surprise- it’s got a very different, slightly sweeter flavor than others. It’s a little more herbal, a bit grassy, but still tastes like rum and is still rich and delicious. It’s been well-rated and is widely considered the best white rum, and is perfect for a different take on the daquiri or their recipe for a fruity Hemingway, where the clear color can shine through. It also serves as an excellent base, chilled, to get a sense of how the flavors change over time and with oak. $30 a bottle or so.
Our favorite rum were the Grand Reserve line, a limited edition that comes in both 6 year and 10 year aged versions. Like scotch or wine, aging reduces the amount of liquid thanks to evaporation, and what’s left is both more precious and far deeper in character. The 10 year was probably the single best rum we’ve ever tried, and shouldn’t be used in cocktails or mixing, but is perfect straight. Woodsy and boldly spicy, it’s a sultry treat that would be perfect with a fire and a cigar, but we made it work nicely on a recent rainy day. The packaging is very classy, and the cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla aromas will entice just about any drinker. Either one would be a lovely gift, and at $70 a bottle for the 10-year or $55 for it’s younger sibling, they are the perfect gift for Dad on this Father’s Day. They tasted fairly similar- the older a bit darker and richer, with a longer finish, but clearly both from the same hand and place, and both lovely from start to finish. Sip and be transported to an island.
We also tried their VSOP and Creole Shrubb Liqueur d’Orange rums (around $32-$25 a bottle). The former is a cocoa-scented, dark mahogany beauty that already seems to hold a bit of tropical fruit within, and feels exotic and almost peppery, an experience closer to a cognac than your single-note basic rum you might mix. We mixed both together in their suggested recipe for a Creole Old Fashioned, and it was the single best cocktail that we’ve had this summer so far, with folks praising the “balanced citrus notes”, and “surprising hints of orange groves”. Far better and easier to sip or mix than Grand Marnier, the orange isn’t heady or overwhelming on the Creole Shrubb, and we used it as a secret ingredient in a couple of recent baking experiments and even over ice cream to great effect (and many questions from instant fans).
Whether you’re seeing something high-end for a present, or an interesting unaged version of rum that’ll stand out in your drinks, Rhum Clement has you covered. We’ve tried out our fair share of rums, and for your basic Caribbean cocktail these might be a bit much, but they certainly are better than just about any competitors. The aged ones, especially, put rum into a category closer to port or whiskey, and the orange one is a favorite for tasters in desserts. They can be a bit harder to find, but are certainly worth seeking out, and will change your views on rum for good!
