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FINDING FLAVOR WITH RHUM CLÉMENT When Benjamin Jones launched Rhum Clément USA in 2005, mainstream consumers were just starting to appreciate finer cuisines. Jones believed he could tap into this enthusiasm and introduce Rhum Agricole. "We had a flavor profile nobody had seen," Jones remembers. And so, Jones introduced Rhum Clément at a time when Sex in the City was ending and the Cosmo was on its way out, and the celebrity chef was in vogue. A flavorful rum below $30 offered "a huge territory to shoot for," Jones recalls. Since then, Clement USA's portfolio has grown into a dynamic terroir- driven selection with Rhum JM and Clément championing the island of Martinique. Rhum JM V.O Rhum JM's production begins with 100 percent of its sugarcane grow- ing in the volcanic slopes of Habitation Bellevue from Mont Pelée. This unique microclimate yields a sugarcane richness and earthiness that is unmistakably JM. Governed by the AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole rules (Martinique is officially a French overseas deparment), the sugar- cane is rotated with bananas and not burned. The vesou ferments and is distilled in beautiful copper column stills. After distillation, the spirit enters "rhum charred" American oak. There are many great Rhum JM products to choose from, but I'm really excited about the Rhum JM V.O (SRP $39.95), which is relatively new in the United States. V.O. is aged in new oak and used bourbon barrels for at least three years. V.O. is robust and rich, with gor- geous opening notes of roots, herbs and caramel. The earthiness continues to the palate with sweet undertones. Briefly put, it's delicious. Clément Canne Bleue In a sense, Clément is the gift that keeps on giving. Homère Clément purchased Domaine de l'Acajou in 1887 when the Martinique sugar producers were losing market share to sugar beets. Clément transformed the sugar plantation into a rhum distillery that pressed estate-grown sugarcane to distill in the same fashion as France's great brandies. Clément's methods would become known as Rhum Agricole, and the Clément line continues to relish in its tradition that includes 6 Year Old (SRP $56.95), 10 Year Old (SRP $72.95) and an X.O. Rhum (SRP $150) with vintages of 1952, 1970 and 1976). Clément Canne Bleue at SPR $34.95 is its white rhum and is distilled from the canne bleue sugarcane variety. It offers an intense nose and pal- ate with notes of grapefruit, cane, pepper spice, peppermint and flowers. It's gorgeous, full-bodied and rounded. Classic Daiquiri, anybody? CLEMENT USA. INC 1 14 / the tasting panel / june 2016 CATEGORY REPORT