Clément Canne Bleue Rhum Blanc Agricole

Whoa! This is the first rhum agricole I've tried, but based on what I taste here, it definitely won't be the last. The smell is grassy, like everyone says, but not too grassy, and sugary in an interesting way. There's also a sort of general fruitiness, not that I could tell you exactly what fruits I'm talking about. The taste is clean and fresh, and also sugary, but not sweet exactly, it just "feels" like sugar. There are more fruit elements that blend with the sugar creating an effect sort of like lemon or lime frosting. All this is making it sound like it's syrupy sweet, but it's not at all, which is the remarkable thing about it; it has the feel of sugar without actually being sweet. The finish is like a wave that gradually rises and washes over you, becoming stronger and stronger, with some peppery effects along the way and a fairly powerful burn at the end. Great stuff and well worth the $30.

Clear color. Expressive aromas of confectioners' sugar, dried coconut, cane juice, tall grass, the juice from tinned pineapple chunks, lime zest, orange juice. A very tropical nose -- though dominated by the powdered sugar element, even when mixed. On the palate, it echoes powdered sugar, though any semblance of sweetness is held in check by a somewhat bitter banana skin and grass flavor. There's also plenty of nougat, peach, and pink peppercorn. The alcohol is not noticeable, but the finish is short and mostly echoes powdered sugar, nougat, and pink peppercorn. Not really sure what to do with it. It's definitely a decent spirit, though I wouldn't seek it out as either a sipper or mixer. Not flawed though. Are there cocktails finished with powered sugar?

OMG. With a capital O, capital M, capital G. This rhum agricole is INTENSE, even by Clement/100 proof standards. The aromatics here are crazy. Jumps out the glass with grassy, floral, herbal smells. The flavor profile follows the nose, with a fresh ting of something minty, some lime zest, and maybe some cinnamon. There are some tropical dimensions here at play as well--though, they are harder to pin down. Lychee?? Rambutan??? Cherimoya? But, definitely lime. Lots of lime; like, lime leaf. Hot as it is, this is wonderful neat... and a killer Ti' Punch!

It smells like grass, squash, and grape with a little bit of a peppery note. It's a bit harsh with a punch that doesn't taste overwhelmingly vegetal. There is some squash and quite a bit of grass with some hot tamales cinnamon flavor and some black pepper. It's smoky, which helps to balance it out. The alcohol is a bit strong. The vegetal element and alcohol aside and, it's pretty good. The cinnamon finish is nice and the hints of licorice and orange with some mild caramel are nice too.

The most interesting and enjoyable rum yet. There is a bright mineral tang that balances out the grassy and tropical sugarcane notes. Sip after sip it is impressively interesting. For a spirit without any wood aging involved it is very complex. Excellent work. I’d pour this all over my mother, it’s that good.

The most interesting and enjoyable rum yet. There is a bright mineral tang that balances out the grassy and tropical sugarcane notes. Sip after sip it is impressively interesting. For a spirit without any wood aging involved it is very complex. Excellent work.