Typically we’d go ahead and cross-taste the different Canne Bleue vintages by Clément but today we have something way more interesting: We get to compare an unaged Canne Bleue, i.e. a Blanc, with an aged one from the same year.

Clément Canne Bleue 2001 (50%): Nose: Not very grassy and not that vegetal either. I’d much rather describe it as earthy and fruity, with pomegranate, raspberry, grapefruit and peppery notes. What is more, there’s essentially no sign of the alcohol whatsoever, which is very rare for an unaged Rhum at 50%! Palate: A bit more on the sweeter side now, with sugar/ fresh cane juice, raspberry, candied fruits and something more syrupy such as grenadine, i.e. pomegranate again). I must say that I enjoy this quite a bit my friends! Finish: Very short and drier, with a mix of fruits and the peppery notes again. This isn’t one of those ultra spectacular Blancs that will leave you amazed for a while but it is a super nice, lovely and well balanced Rum as you seldom get it in this category! (84/100)

Clément 100% Canne Bleue 2001 16YO (41,5%): Released in 2018, this is already an older bottling. Please not that this is not the correct label picture, however. Nose: Straight away a much more typical Agricole than the unaged Rhum. While it has lost many of its fruity notes, it gained plenty of peppery and woody ones. It kinda reminds me of the chestnut wood aged Rhums. The sweet fruits have turned slightly sour and the earthy elements blended in with the cask-driven notes. Palate: At just 41,5%, the Rhum feels a bit flat in direct comparison and even the pronounced astringency doesn’t really help here. I attest that the heavy influence of the cask has already overwhelmed the spirit, as the bitter, dry and woody notes are in full control, but every now and then a glimpse of fresh cane juice pops up and delights the connoisseur with a sweet flavour of joy. Finish: The woody notes become more diverse and the astringency and dryness have been tamed, but the whole experience vanishes way to quickly for my liking. What stays is a note of chocolate, that entertains you for more than a minute. There are numerous things I enjoy about this Rhum but what constantly remains is the thought that it could have used some more power. (83/100)

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