All of us think about the time will come when there shall be no extra time. Like an older relative or liked one, we perceive there shall 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 know what it might be like, however do not actually need to know. Then, that time arrives and the seemingly infinite period of time on Earth is instantly mounted; you dangle up the cellphone and are left with reminiscences 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 most effective vintages (1952, 1970 and 1976) Martinique has ever seen, its aromas and flavors had been properly obtained and impacted many. These vintages, regardless of their most interesting qualities, had been produced in restricted portions. We frequently take as a right these with a lot that means in our lives, and as a r(h)um lover, I’m responsible of this as properly. An incredible rhum comes alongside, nevertheless you do not absolutely admire it within the context of it by no means being available once more. Historical past repeats and this timeless story is advised 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 considered one of its best expressions at hand. In making an attempt 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 below are a number of the feedback from pals, 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 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 prevented Clement X.O.
—Steve Livigni (La Descarga, Scopa Italian Roots, The Chestnut Membership)
We are going to keep in mind it as the most effective of all of the french caribbean. The final tears of it have already been consumed and our tears will not change 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 sequence of age statements, the X.O. straddled each brilliance and belligerence with candy brilliant 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 outdated shares that exist to offer it. Drink the great things when you can!
—Jim Romdall (Rumba)
I as soon as traded a bottle of X.O. for a wonderful bicycle. Now that bicycle makes me unhappy.
—Wayne Curtis (Writer – 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 most effective and have by no means discovered a worthy substitute. Will probably 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 Foremost)
Properly, I am unhappy to see it go. It was a beautiful rum, very austere and agreeably dry. Regardless of the superior aged of the part rums, it by no means introduced as over-oaked. Happily, the Clement vary continues to increase with fantastic 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 may be really missed.
—Jason Alexander (Tacoma Cabana)
It belongs to the ages now…
—Chris Carlsson (Spirits Assessment)
It is the tip of an period personally. The Clement X.O. was the primary really excessive finish agricole I ever had and I’ll keep in mind it all the time with its nod to Cognac.
—Rocky Yeh (American Northwest)
It is with nice disappointment 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 (Writer, 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 shall be a void in my rhum cupboard after the loss of life of the wonderful Clement X.O.
—Ian “Rum-Ambassador” Burrell (The Rum Expertise)
It is not typically one’s compelled to put in writing a couple of 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 about a tear drop as massive because the shapely bottle it is introduced 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 brief. Clement’s property grown sugarcane and distillates can be found solely to them and to you in these all the time 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.
