Clement Rare Cask Collection Homage to Phillip Single Cask Martinique Rum 50 cl 52,9%

Out at Domaine de l'Acajou in Le François, the cane fields still glow under the Caribbean sun, much as they did when Homère Clément first laid his spirit down to age. One single cask from 2002 was left to rest in that tropical heat for well over sixteen years, until cellar master Robert Peronnet pulled it out and gave it a name after a friend.

Expert's description

Clément Rare Cask Collection Homage to Philip is a Rhum Agricole from Martinique, matured in one single oak cask and bottled at cask strength 52.9%. The bottle belongs among the most personal releases in the Rare Cask Collection - a Sélection Exclusive that was never meant for the wider market. The name pays tribute to Philip Gillier, Clément's export manager and a close friend of the Danish importer behind the release. The rum was laid down on 1 January 2002 and left undisturbed in Martinique's tropical heat for 16 years and 8 months, before being drawn straight from the cask in March 2017 with no adjustment to its strength. Only 392 bottles came out of that single cask.

The long encounter with the oak has given the rum its deep colour and a weight that's unusual for an agricole. The green, juicy character of the cane is still there underneath, but the wood has filled it out with spice and a sweetness that leans closer to chocolate than to fresh fruit.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dark chocolate and nougat sit over the cane's green base, with a touch of vanilla and dried fruit and a hint of toasted wood underneath.

Palate

Full and almost oily on the tongue, with tropical fruit and spice joined by a light citrus edge.

Finish

Long and drawn-out, turning slightly floral toward the end with a light bitterness from the old oak.

Specifications

Name: Clément Rare Cask Collection Homage to Philip
Distillery: Clément
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole
Age: 16 years and 8 months
ABV: 52.9%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: Single Cask
Distillation method: Creole column still
Distilled: 1 January 2002
Bottled: March 2017
Number of bottles: 392
Edition: Rare Cask Collection – Sélection Exclusive Homage to Philip
EAN no.: 3107460008137

Flavour profile

Full-bodied · Chocolate-forward · Spicy · Tropical · Oak-matured

Investment potential

Medium. Only 392 bottles from a single-cask Martinique agricole with an unusually long age, commissioned specifically for the Danish market and already sought after among international rum collectors.

Did you know?

Habitation Clément hasn't actually distilled its own rum since 1989 - today the cane juice is trucked to sister distilleries Le Simon and J.M, while the old estate on Martinique serves instead as ageing cellar, museum and art foundation in memory of founder Homère Clément.

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Frequently asked questions about Clément Rare Cask Collection Homage to Philip

What makes this bottle special?

It's a single-cask bottling that was never meant for the general market - only 392 bottles came out of the one cask, which sat maturing on Martinique for over 16 years. The name is a personal tribute to Clément's export manager Philip Gillier, and the bottle was commissioned specifically for the Danish market.

Is Clément Homage to Philip worth the money?

Yes - this level of rarity and age is rarely seen in a Rhum Agricole. Only 392 bottles exist worldwide, and international rum collectors have rated it highly. The value lies in the scarcity and the craft behind a genuine single-cask release.

How should the rum be stored?

Standing upright, somewhere dark and cool, ideally around 15-18°C. At 52.9% there's no risk of the cork drying out, so the bottle can happily stand for years without any harm.

How is Clément Homage to Philip best served?

Best at room temperature in a rum glass, where the heavier notes of chocolate and wood have room to open up. A few drops of water can open it further, but ice should be avoided, as the cold shuts the aromas down.

What is Rhum Agricole, and how does it differ from regular rum?

Rhum Agricole is distilled from freshly pressed sugarcane juice rather than molasses, which is what most of the world's rum is made from. The method is protected under an AOC designation on Martinique and gives a greener, earthier character than the sweeter molasses-based rums.

What defines the Clément distillery?

Clément was founded in 1887, when Homère Clément bought the Domaine de l'Acajou plantation and turned it from sugar production to rum distilling. The name remains one of the most recognised in Rhum Agricole from Martinique.