The Rum Collective: Rhum Clement X.O.

All of us think about the time will come when there will likely be no extra time. Like an older relative or liked one, we perceive there will likely be a degree at which, their life will finish, once we will obtain a telephone name from a member of the family, informing us of the anticipated, but in any other case unimaginable. We try to know what it could be like, however do not actually wish to know. Then, that time arrives and the seemingly infinite period of time on Earth is immediately fastened; you hold up the telephone and are left with recollections and a void. You can’t change what has occurred, however discover an ache deep inside, figuring out such occasions will not be. That is how I felt after listening to that Rhum Clement X.O. had died.

Composed of the perfect vintages (1952, 1970 and 1976) Martinique has ever seen, its aromas and flavors have been effectively acquired and impacted many. These vintages, regardless of their most interesting qualities, have been produced in restricted portions. We regularly take with no consideration these with a lot which means in our lives, and as a r(h)um lover, I’m responsible of this as effectively. An incredible rhum comes alongside, nonetheless you do not absolutely respect it within the context of it by no means being available once more. Historical past repeats and this timeless story is instructed once more. Its passing is a superb loss to anybody who appreciates world-class spirits and it saddens me figuring out the way forward for rhum agricole will not have one in all its best expressions at hand. In attempting to narrate what this rhum meant, I’ve requested feedback from a lot of these within the rhum group about Clement X.O.’s passing.

Listed below are a few of the feedback from buddies, household and people who have got here to know and love this rhum agricole tres vieux:

It is unhappy as a result of it was the primary agricole that visually (X.O./Bottle) linked itself with French brandy making for me. I believe Martinique may gain advantage from that connecting and pedigree extra. I sometimes keep away from r(h)ums which have spent greater than 15 years in a barrel. I’ve by no means averted Clement X.O.  

—Steve Livigni (La Descarga, Scopa Italian Roots, The Chestnut Membership)

We’ll bear in mind it as among the best of all of the french caribbean. The final tears of it have already been consumed and our tears will not substitute the pleasure and emotions we needed to benefit from the final sips of it. Let it relaxation in peace alongside the grasp, the Dr. Homere Clement, for now and eternity 

—Benoit Bail (Liqeuers et Spiritueux, Zwazo Rum)

A lot greater than a collection of age statements, the X.O. straddled each brilliance and belligerence with candy vibrant notes layered over a dense nearly over charred, end. 

—Chris Morales (Rhum Clement)

This may not be the final retired iconic spirit as demand for high quality far exceeds the outdated shares that exist to supply it. Drink the great things when you can! 

—Jim Romdall (Rumba)

I as soon as traded a bottle of X.O. for a superb bicycle. Now that bicycle makes me unhappy. 

—Wayne Curtis (Creator – And a Bottle of  Rum: A Historical past of the New World in Ten Cocktails)

Clement X.O. was my introduction to aged agricole and has remained a favourite for a few years. I began with the perfect and have by no means discovered a worthy substitute. It will likely be a really unhappy day within the rum world when it’s lastly….Till then I am hoarding each bottle I discover.  

—Mike Streeter (Rum Connection, Worldwide Rum Council)

I simply can’t imagine X.O. is gone. It looks as if solely yesterday I used to be ingesting X.O. out of a bottle in New Orleans with Jeff Berry and Blair Reynolds…the occasions we had, they may carry me ahead. 

—Matt “Rumdood” Robold (rumdood.com, 320 Most important) 

Effectively, I am unhappy to see it go. It was a stunning rum, very austere and agreeably dry. Regardless of the superior aged of the part rums, it by no means offered as over-oaked. Fortuitously, the Clement vary continues to increase with fantastic new choices that assist soften the blow.

—Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove)

You have been my first prime shelf premium rum. Though you have been glorious to sip on, your true calling was being paired up with Appleton 21yr for the luxurious Fifty Greenback Mai Tai that so many individuals loved on their birthdays, anniversaries, promotions and vacation celebrations. The Fifty Greenback Mai Tai won’t ever be the identical and for that, you may be actually missed. 

—Jason Alexander (Tacoma Cabana)

It belongs to the ages now… 

—Chris Carlsson (Spirits Evaluation) 

It is the top of an period personally. The Clement X.O. was the primary actually excessive finish agricole I ever had and I’ll bear in mind it at all times with its nod to Cognac.

—Rocky Yeh (American Northwest) 

It is with nice unhappiness combined with heat feelings that Clement X.O. has depleted its uncommon shares and has departed our rum cupboard for the nice cellars within the sky.

—Benjamin Jones (Household, Rhum Clement) 

X.O. we hardly knew ye, however your legacy lives on. Vive le Vieux!

—Paul Clarke (Imbibe) 

It says loads for Clement’s integrity in the event that they discontinue X.O. for a lacking ingredient: most manufacturers would simply fiddle the system!

—Ian Williams (Creator, Rum: A Social and Sociable Historical past of the Actual Spirit of 1776)

The bottle that successfully pushed a sure Controlee brandy (au revoir Cognac) off the tiny Sambar cabinets and solidified our Rhum-centric nature. It was all Agricole after that. 

—Jay Kuehner, (Vessel, Sambar) 

There will likely be a void in my rhum cupboard after the demise of the wonderful Clement X.O.

—Ian “Rum-Ambassador” Burrell (The Rum Expertise) 

It isn’t usually one’s compelled to jot down a few rums passing. Most rhums, even nice ones, merely….disappear…Information of Clement X.O.’s pending extinction –barrel aged shares of the 1952 classic important to its DNA are depleted – prompted a tear drop as giant because the shapely bottle it is offered in. No peculiar rhum, X.O. combines that elusive and unique complexity of aromas and concord of flavors that different grasp blenders aspire to realize. They may fall quick. Clement’s property grown sugarcane and distillates can be found solely to them and to you in these at all times collectible but quickly to be extinct bottles. Hoard now, get pleasure from at leisure, cry later.

—Dave Russell (Rum Gallery, Worldwide Rum Council)

Habitation Clement and Rhum Clement X.O.

Relaxation in Peace Clement X.O.