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

Clément Premiére Canne is a agricole rhum that’s crystal clear in color. Aromas of very light hints of agave tequila, dark chocolate, and black tea. Initial taste starts smooth revealing a light body and flavors of  black tea, spice, fruit, and floral notes. Finish is bold but not harsh. Long, dry, crisp, and clean.

Anecdotal Notes
Roger - Premiére Canne Rhum is made from seven varieties of Martinique sugar cane, pressed within a few hours of harvest and distilled from cane juice (not molasses). It’s aged for 9 months in steel where it is refined longer than many other white rums. Premiére Canne was originally produced in response to the feedback from London bartenders who were looking for a lower proof, highly mixable and flavorful, agricole rhum. Première Canne received a silver medal at the 2005 San Francisco Spirit Competition, notably entered in the general white spirits category but not in the rum category.

RnD found Clément Premiére Canne Rhum on St. Barths. We were slipping in and out of air conditioned rhum and wine shops in Gustavia looking for a couple bottles. We walked into a small market to peruse their rhum selection, where we serendipitously  met Marcel-André Clément, the grandson of the company’s founder. He offered some advice on our purchase of fine rums.  He was gracious, happy to give us some advice and tell us a bit about himself.  We ended up buying more than one bottle of Clément rhum! Another convesation with Mr. Clément ensued after our inititial purchase, resulting in him generously purchasing Premiére Canne for me, explaining it was just starting to be imported to the US. I must say I'm glad he did. This is a truly unique spirit worthy of adding to your collection.

Dave – Impressively tall frosted bottle with a watercolor-like picture of Habitation Clément visible through a clear window beneath the label.  A natural cork cap adds an added measure of quality and class to a spirit intended to be consumed rapidly in finer cocktail bars.

Taster's Opinion
Roger - Premiére Canne is a very good, very smooth, Agricole style white rhum. It is very different from most rhums I’ve had, even other agricole rums from Clément. It is an excellent choice for mixed drinks or straight with ice and a generous twist of lime. I'd serve it to friends who like sophisticated premium white spirits, or rum fans who want to try something unique. This isn't your typical mixing rum. There are better and cheaper choices for your rum 'n coke friends.

Dave – Very clean light rhum, crisp and mildly sweet tasting without cloying, aromas of herbaceous cane mixed with a bit of sweet ethyl alcohol, like the juice from sugarcane that was cut only moments before, such that the cane had no time to spoil.  Those flavors continue to finish dry, with a lingering film of sweet cane flavor.  While Premiere Canne is a wonderful white sipping rhum, it’s intended for mixing. Despite it’s sweet taste and low ABV, don’t rule it out of traditional Martinique cocktails - simply create your own ‘Ti Punch Doux or Clement Daiquiri.  Better yet, substitute this refined white agricole rhum for the ubiquitous bulk white rums from Puerto Rico, or instead of caçhaca in a caipirinha, or in imaginative vodka and gin drinks, or …

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Roger - 8.5 Flasks; Dave - 8.5 Flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Roger in June, 2006 and again inNovember, 2010 at RnD's North tasting room in USA, and Dave, January 2011 at RnD’s South Tasting Room, USA.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.