Clement 5 Year PX Sherry Finish Single Cask Agricole Rum
by Clement
$74.00
For many drinkers, Clement is the gateway to Martinique, their first taste of Agricole Rum. As regular rum fans will already be well aware, Rhum Agricole, made from fresh sugarcane rather than molasses, is really a totally different category unto itself, a distinct spirit from the Rum that the majority of the world produces. The first sip of Agricole can be a shocking experience, often compared to a Tequila drinker's first sip of Mezcal, or even a Bourbon drinker's first sip of Islay Scotch. It's big and different, and you'd easily be forgiven for not knowing what to make of it the first time around. Clement, however, has always been our favorite gateway to this world, showcasing a genteel, elegant side to the sometimes divisive spirit, with a profile that balances accessibility and complexity beautifully.
Many of our all time favorite private barrels have come courtesy of Spiribam, the parent company of Clement, through the likes of Rhum JM and Chairman's Reserve, but this year we were able to get our hands on our first ever private store pick of Clement, and of course we knew it had to be a Rum Club feature. Much like the barrels on offer for JM and Chairman's, there was an impressive array of options, many with intriguing cask finishes (Japanese Sake casks certainly piqued our interest), but the one we couldn't resist from first nosing was the 5 year old bottling aged in new "Alligator Char" American oak, then finished for a year in PX sherry casks.
Both of the cask influences are immediately apparent on the nose, which is big and rich with vanilla cake frosting, sweet blackberry jam, musty log cabin, tawny port - you'd be forgiven for thinking this was whiskey if it weren't for the faint whisp of bright sugarcane grassiness on the edges. On the palate, the sweet blackberry note follows through alongside raisin scones, maple syrup, orange marmalade, corn silk, grape must, and a hint of black pepper. The finish takes that black pepper spice and runs with it, as the sweet notes dry out on tart cherries and raisins, leaving you thirsty for more. Bottled at cask strength - 62.1% abv.