Objective Notes

Extremely Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

Yes, Cuvée Homére Clément is that perfectly exquisite shade of amber coveted by so many other distillers and rums collectors.  The aromas manage to achieve a perfectly elegant balance of sweet and dried fruit, vanilla, pecan, autumn spice and oak, alcohol, fresh tobacco and cane, delicacy and complexity.  In a word; gentle.  Initial tasting elicits deep spicy and wood flavors that build slowly in intensity, opening up to a complex symphony of fine notes, each performing its own brief solo.  A body that is medium-light in weight, almost dances on your tongue as prelude to an encore  finish that goes on and on, fading slowly and peeling back layers of flavor, one after the other, each in turn waving au revoir.

Anecdotal Notes - Production a la Rhum Clément

Rhum Clément is produced from A.O.C.-certified sugarcane grown on premises at Habitation Clément. The fresh cut sugarcane is crushed within the hour, ensuring the pure flavors from the terroir and unique character of the estate-grown sugarcane finds its way into the rhum. The sugarcane is harvested between March and May, and chopped low to the ground where glucose is most concentrated in the cane stalk.

An organic, house strain starter yeast is added to the free run cane juice (vesou) to initiate fermentation, then organic field yeasts found on the outside sheath of the sugarcane stalks take over the process of  converting sugar to alcohol.  Strictly controlled fermentation continues in open-top tanks for forty-eight to seventy-two hours, resulting in a sugar wine (Vin de Canne), with an ABV of five to seven percent.   The longer the fermentation process, the higher the concentration of aroma and flavor.

Clément distills it’s rhum in a Créole single-column copper still, which yields a  spirit relatively low in alcohol (a characteristic of the official AOC agricole method) compared to the industrielle rums from other countries. The length of distillation, the strength of the vin de canne, and the physical design of the still play an important part in the strength of the rhum produced. The Master Blender’s art is employed in balancing these variables, and blending the output of small stills that produce a heavy, low strength spirit, with the higher strength, lighter rhum yields of tall stills.  Clearly, Rhum Clément has perfected the technique of consistently producing rhums with the desired flavors and characteristics.

After distillation, the fresh cane spirit is placed in stainless steel tanks to mellow.  Atop each stainless steel tank is a small-perforated pipe and a release valve to gently stream filtered air through.  The air stream allows tiny bubbles to pass through the rhum, removing distasteful esters.

Recognizing the artistic value of combining human endeavor with acts of nature, Rhum Clément  attributes the distinctive character of its rhums to “the superb alchemy of rhum and wood orchestrated by the cellar master”.  Using oak barrels of two origins – Limousin and American – Rhum Clément manages the barrels to impart their unique fragrance, complex aromas and persisting flavors.

During maturation, tannins in the wood impart an amber color to the rhum, and begins the aging process. Due to the warm tropical climate of Martinique, precious quantities of rhum (known as the “Angel’s Share”) escape through the barrels by evaporation.  Clement admits to gradually losing between 8-10% of its aged rhum each year, typical of Caribbean producers.  To help off-set this loss, each barrel is topped-off continually, guaranteeing that the rhum is always of the same vintage.

The heavy angular square bottle sits in striking contrast to the script label etched in gold on glass, making a beautiful combination that visually rewards the owner of this exquisite rhum with perfect physical dimensions.  Such is the attractiveness of the full bottle, with its deep amber rhum inside coloring the image of habitation Clement etched on the back side of the bottle, that I hesitate to open it and deplete the sculpture.  But of course, the carafe is ultimately a pandora’s box, and temptation fueled by rumor triumphs over restraint.  You do, after all, want to experience the entire rhum.  As you twist off the substantial gold cap, your path of discovery takes another pleasant turn, its metal!  Impressive as the packaging is, the rhum is even better – Cuvée Homére Clément is truly a magnificent agricole.

For a brief history of Rhum Clément, click here.

Tasters Opinion

Dave – Cuvée Homére Clément is an exquisite rhum, in every way a fitting homage to the renowned distillery’s founder, and one that you feel honored to drink and humbled to appreciate.  Superior in every regard, Cuvée Homére Clément has achieved the pinnacle of fine rhums, a quality others can be held against.  The entire presentation is simply outstanding.

Roger - Clément Cuvée Homère is truly exceptional all around.  From the presentation of the dark amber rhum in a unique  and handsomely crafted square bottle with gold metal cap, to the wonderful soft aromas and the complex flavors, and finally to the nice long dry finish. It’s one of my very favorite Agricole Rhums and one that I would offer to a discerning friend who I wanted to show off what an agricole rhum from Martinique is all about. I highly recommend picking up a bottle as it’s available in many places in the USA and worldwide. You won’t be disappointed.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):

Dave - 10 Flasks

Roger – 10 Flasks

Most recently tasted by: Dave and Roger, December, 2009 at RnD's South and North tasting rooms, USA 

*750ml unless otherwise stated.