All of us think about the time will come when there might be no extra time. Like an older relative or beloved one, we perceive there might be some extent at which, their life will finish, once we will obtain a cellphone name from a member of the family, informing us of the anticipated, but in any other case unimaginable. We try to grasp what it could be like, however do not actually need to know. Then, that time arrives and the seemingly infinite period of time on Earth is immediately mounted; you grasp up the cellphone and are left with reminiscences and a void. You can’t change what has occurred, however discover an ache deep inside, understanding such occasions will now 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 had been effectively obtained and impacted many. These vintages, regardless of their most interesting qualities, had been produced in restricted portions. We frequently take with no consideration these with a lot that 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 totally respect it within the context of it by no means being available once more. Historical past repeats and this timeless story is informed once more. Its passing is a superb loss to anybody who appreciates world-class spirits and it saddens me understanding the way forward for rhum agricole will now not have considered one of its best expressions at hand. In attempting to narrate what this rhum meant, I’ve requested feedback from lots of these within the rhum neighborhood about Clement X.O.’s passing.
Listed here are a few of the feedback from mates, household and those that 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) related itself with French brandy making for me. I feel Martinique may benefit 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 prevented 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 shiny notes layered over a dense virtually over charred, end.
—Chris Morales (Rhum Clement)
This would possibly not be the final retired iconic spirit as demand for high quality far exceeds the previous shares that exist to offer it. Drink the good 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 consider X.O. is gone. It looks like 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 Predominant)
Nicely, I am unhappy to see it go. It was a beautiful rum, very austere and agreeably dry. Regardless of the superior aged of the element rums, it by no means offered as over-oaked. Fortuitously, the Clement vary continues to increase with high-quality new choices that assist soften the blow.
—Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove)
You had been my first high shelf premium rum. Though you had 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 can be really 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 really 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 good 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 method!
—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.
There might be a void in my rhum cupboard after the dying of the wonderful Clement X.O.
—Ian “Rum-Ambassador” Burrell (The Rum Expertise)
It isn’t usually one’s compelled to write 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 – brought on a tear drop as giant because the shapely bottle it is offered in. No odd 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, take pleasure in at leisure, cry later.
—Dave Russell (Rum Gallery, Worldwide Rum Council)
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| Habitation Clement and Rhum Clement X.O. |
Relaxation in Peace Clement X.O.
