Clement Select Barrel

So as a first experience with (sippable) agricoles, I head towards Clément in this particular offering.
Nose is engaging, briny, grassy as expected from an agricole, but with noticeable new oak character, clearly reminiscent of bourbon in that particular aspect. Woody, some mild tart fruitiness also present (apples). Just a couple drops of water open up the earthiness, hitherto very residual, building complexity.
In mouth has a fresh "opening" and a very dry woody character. Eucalyptus in finish, the flavour complexity is impressive, it definitely stands out. I wonder what this would be like at higher strength - I can't help but feel the 40% waters down what would have been an amazing sipping rhum. Reminiscent of Highland malts, with that crispness and freshness. For the price range, excellent sipper; again, if only it had been bottled at 45%+, that could have been very very good - I wonder if there are any independent bottlers? I can see many parallels to whiskies in the flavour profile, but the agricole signature is still very much clear. I would therefore say it's a positive feature.
Really good for the price range, good sipper.

well I like extremes - thus I like this motherf... - different almost strange - beautiful

Different from most rums I've had. Almost a nutty and creamy flavor compared to others that typically are more sweet. Excellent finish.

I can only compare this to R. St. Barth Cool. I like them both. They both give a grassy vegetable flavor. I'd say this Clement is far less funky, but still grassy. R. St. Barth reminded me more of a Cachaça.

I would like to find something similar to Clement without the price however.

- vůně jemná, příjemná, nasládlá vanilka, cukrová třtina
- chuť jemná agricole, vanilka, koření je o něco víc cítit než ve vůni
Velmi příjemné agricole 👏

This was really nice. Sugar cane, grass, all the things you like about Rhum agricole!

Sehr feiner würziger Agricole Rhum.
Erinnert im Duft an frisches Heu.
Im Mund setzt sich dieser Eindruck fort mit etwas süsser Holznote.

This is where the best rhum agricoles can't compare to the best of the "proper rums"...if you ask me.

I'd still drink it...maybe even buy it some time again :-)

Une douce et agréable sensation envahit le palais. Des notes vanillées viennent enrichir ce rhum qui pourrait avoir été vieilli dans des fûts de bourbon.

I have been looking for this one for years and finally stumbled upon a bottle today. For only $30 US, I was not expecting much. There are the usual grassy agricole notes, but almost no woody taste at all. I rated it by ranking it among all of my previously reviewed agricoles and my rating immediately jumped up from a 7 to an 8. I would say that I like it.