Clément V.S.O.P Rhum (or rum) may heighten your standards for future rum purchases. This isn’t the $5 bottle of rum you purchased for your Long Island Ice tea creation in college, this is for those looking to sit down and really experience a distilled beverage for its heritage. This spirit expresses its flavor profile and message in the unique tastes that make it stand apart from many other rum offerings.
It will probably be found for middle-to-high $40’s which positions itself with some of the higher end rum offerings. I’ve had many of those offerings and never have received such a sweet leather component so, for that, this is a worthy experience. The lack of massive oak is quite interesting as well because it brings other flavors to the table that do not distract from its neat leather-like finish.
From a cocktail perspective, I’d focus my Clément V.S.O.P at something that’s going to highlight the rum component, perhaps a Side Car cocktail to underscore the very flavor of the Clément and really kick up the quality of your classic cocktails. I’d refrain from using it in a cocktail with too many juices or excessive spirits. Have fun with it, experience something new and expand your horizons.
3 Comments
Francois
April 26, 2012 at 12:16 pmYou’re right, Clément is french, its a popular firstname here. If you try to translate ” rhum agricole ” into english, you’ll find something like ” old dark rum “. A rhum agricole is not a dark rum, it means that the rum is made from cane sugar. Also, ” vieux ” means that the rum have to stay for at least 3 years in a less than 650 liters barrel.
I agree when you say that water is usefull to bring aromas, but I dont think ice is a good idea. I think it brings too much water and the rum gets too cold so the aromas are less powerfull.
Xanx
May 29, 2012 at 4:31 pmThis rum is excellent in a Mai Tai as well!
Some time ago beachbum berry posted a recipe on his website: http://beachbumberry.com/how-to-make-a-mai-tai/
Delicious if you can get a hold on both rums (VSOP is around 28euro’s in europe).
Steve
September 13, 2012 at 12:39 amAgricole means it is made from fresh crushed, free run sugar cane juice that gets fermented and then distilled instead of rum made from molasses. The Rhums from Martinique are also AOC certified by the same French agency that does the certification for Cognac, Armagnac and Champagne. Agricole produces rhum that is more floral and aromatic and deeper in body and depth of character than regular molasses rum. Hope that helps.