While Edward F. Nesta and I were in Martinique, we visited Distillerie Clément and discovered their excellent line of rhums. 

When Homère Clément, (born in 1852 in Trinité, Martinique), acquired the Habitation and founded Rhum Clément in 1887; little did he realize that he was creating a lasting legacy. After his death in 1923, his son Charles, and Charles's sons, Georges-Louis and Jean-José, continued what Homère had created at Habitation Clément. Today 18th century Habitation Clément is one of the oldest estates on the island. Bernard Hayot bought Habitation Clément in 1986, and opened it to the public in 1988. During our stay in Martinique, we took a tour of the historic house where President François Mitterrand and President George Bush held a summit meeting in March 1991, and in 1996, the house received a Historic Monument classification.

Today, Benjamin Jones, a descendant of Homère Clément, continues the Clément family tradition by introducing the international market to the Rhum Clément products, which include Rhum Clément X.O., Rhum Clément Cuvée Homère, Clément Créole Shrubb Liqueur d'Orange, Rhum Clément Première Canne White Rhum, and Rhum Clement Rhum Vieux Agricole V.S.O.P. Rum.

In January 2007, Rhum Clément will introduce their ultra-premium Rhum Clément Cuvée Homère and Rhum Clément X.O., although I had the advance privilege of meeting with Benjamin Jones in his New York office and sipping these exceptional rums.

Rhum Clément Cuvée Homère

Rhum Clément Cuvée Homère, 44% alcohol, created in homage of founder, Homère Clément, is a blend of three of the best vintages of the last 15 years, (1999, 1996, and 1991), and is crafted by the Cellar Master into an outstanding sipping rum. Presented in a handsome square bottle, the rum has a long, buttery, velvety finish, with pronounced masculine overtones. Rhum Clément Cuvée Homère has a price tag of around $85, and would be a welcome addition to your bar or given as a gift. 

Rhum Clément X.O.

Rhum Clément X.O. 44% alcohol, is a blend of rare and aged rums 25 years and older (1976, 1970, 1952). This stellar rum presented in a sophisticated teardrop bottle proves the appeal of aged sipping rums, has a refined and elegant finish, with distinct feminine overtones, and with a price tag in the range of $140, it is worth every penny. With limited quantities, you might just want to keep this rum all for yourself. 

Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb, 40% alcohol, is the traditional holiday spirit of Martinique, and is a blend of white and aged rums, sugar cane syrup, Créole spices, and sun-bleached bitter orange peels. This spirit works well served chilled and paired with desserts (especially chocolate desserts), added to champagne (Clément Créole Royal) or in a margarita, and is delightful mixed in cocktails or used in cooking. 

Rhum Clément Première Canne White Rhum, 40% alcohol, has a clean fresh taste, and is used in Martinique Ti-Punch and other cocktails. Rhum Clément V.S.O.P. Rum, 40% alcohol, is matured in oak casks, and has a deep mahogany color, with cocoa bean notes, and a mellow finish. 

The Recipes  

Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb lends itself to a variety of recipes, both sweet and savory, which was the inspiration for Pumpkin Chestnut Soup with Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb. 

Luxury Experience's Pumpkin Chestnut Soup with Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb  

Method: Drizzle the garlic with extra-virgin olive oil and roast in a garlic roaster or aluminum foil in the oven at 400° F for approximately 25 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove the cloves from their papery skin and puree in a blender with 24 ounces chicken or vegetable broth.

In a small food processor, add the chestnuts and white wine and puree until a smooth paste forms. Add the chestnut paste and the pumpkin puree to the blender and puree until smooth. 

Pour the pumpkin chestnut mixture in a large saucepan, add the Colombo, Half and Half, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat the soup until just before reaching the boiling point. Stir in the Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb, garnish with a small dollop of sour cream and fresh chopped herbs. As a serving suggestion, serve the soup in a medium size pumpkin or individual miniature pumpkins. 

Luxury Experience's Créole Creamsicle and Luxury Experience's Rhum Clément Créole Slice of Paradise    

I have always been a believer in "having my cake and eating it, too," which was the reasoning for creating Luxury Experience's Créole Creamsicle, a dessert cocktail that pairs beautifully with the Luxury Experience's Rhum Clément Créole Slice of Paradise.

Luxury Experience's Créole Creamsicle   

Pour all ingredients except the nutmeg and the orange twist in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a margarita glass and sprinkle with a light dusting of nutmeg, and garnish with an orange twist.

Martinique is renowned for spices, vanilla, and Créole Shrubb, which was the inspiration for Luxury Experience's Rhum Clément Créole Slice of Paradise. The recipe has yams, Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb, orange zest, vanilla, spice, walnuts, and raisins soaked in rum.  

Luxury Experience's Rhum Clément Créole Slice of Paradise  

Boil, peel, mash the yam, and set aside. 

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.

Remove the zest from the oranges, and add 1generous tablespoon of the zest to the creamed butter. Reserve the remaining zest for the glaze.  

Add 1 yolk at a time to the creamed butter and beat until all yolks are incorporated. Add the mashed yams, and mix.

In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon and sift the mixture over the creamed butter mixture a little at a time, alternating with the milk, and beat until incorporated.  

Put the raisins in a small microwaveable bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of Rhum Clément Première Canne White Rum to the raisins, cover with wax paper and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and let rest for 5 minutes.  

Add the vanilla and Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb to the batter and beat well. Add the raisins and the walnuts and stir until well incorporated.  

In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a ½ teaspoon cream of tartar until the egg whites are stiff. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter, and pour into a buttered 10-inch (25.4 cm) tube pan. Bake at 350 ° F (177 ° C) for approximately 50 minutes. Cake is done when a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Set the pan on a rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing the cake from the pan. Let cake cool completely.  

Clement Shrubb Cake Glaze   

Mix the confectionary sugar, Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb, milk, and salt until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over cake and sprinkle the orange zest over the glaze. 

Whipped Cream   

Just before serving time, slice the oranges into rounds and remove pith. Melt 1-tablespoon butter in a pan and gently sauté the oranges and the remaining zest, turning over once when the oranges begin to caramelize. Add 3 tablespoons Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb to the oranges, and carefully ignite with a match. The flames will die down when the alcohol burns off. Serve the cake with the warm oranges and Rhum Clément Liqueur Créole Shrubb flavored whipped cream.  

Clément USA
Contact:         Benjamin Jones
Telephone:     +1 207-232-6633
Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.RhumClement.com   

If you are traveling to Martinique, be sure to visit Habitation Rhum Clément to tour the museum and sample the rums. They are open everyday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm, except for the month of September when they are closed.   

Héritiers H. Clément S.A.
Habitation Rhum Clément
Domaine de l'Acajou
97240 Le François
Telephone :     +596-596-54-62-07
Fax :                +596-596-54-63-50
www.Rhum-Clement.com     

Read other articles on Martinique in the Destination: Martinique - The Caribbean Side, Destination: Martinique - The Atlantic Side, Martinique: Adventures, Martinique Gardens, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Spas, Chefs' Recipes, Fashion, Gastronomy, and Liquor Cabinet sections.   

For more information on Martinique, please contact the Martinque Promotion Bureau at www.Martinique.org.   

© December 2006. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.