Habitation Clément
The Habitation Clément has been producing Caribbean Rhum Agricole in Martinique for over 130 years. The distillery is located on the east coast of the island in the municipality of Le François and has been owned by the Clément family since its foundation in 1887.
| Information about the Distillery | |
|---|---|
| Martinique, Caribbean | |
| -60.907161 14.602364 | |
| Active | |
| 1887 | |
| Homère Clément | |
| https://www.rhum-clement.com/en/ |
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Nosing
Spices:
Fruit:
Herb:
Sweet:
Dark Chocolate:
Orange:
Vanilla:
Zitrus:
Herb:
Sweet:
Cinnamon:
Date:
Dark Chocolate:
Orange:
Plum:
Vanilla:
Sherry:
Zitrus:
Tasting
Nuts:
Vanilla:
Sweet:
Oil:
Sweet:
Vanilla:
Heather:
Spices:
Herbs:
Heather:
Spices:
Herbs:
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The Rum
The Habitation Clément produces so-called Rhum Agricole. This Rum made from sugar cane juice is mainly produced in the French Antilles and according to the rules of the AOC. There are different ranges, such as the Prestige range with the Clément Vieux VSOP Rhum and the Clément Vieux XO Rhum. The latter matures for at least six years in new oak barrels and former bourbon barrels. In addition, Clément also offers Rums in the Classic range and the Bar and Cocktail range, which includes, for example, the Clément Créole Shrubb Orange Liqueur. This Orange Liqueur combines the finest white and matured Agricole Rums with macerated Créole spices and sun-bleached bitter orange peel.
The Production
The Habitation Clément estate extends over 160 hectares and includes the centrally located Creole main house, the park with sugar cane plantations, the Rum distillery and the warehouses.
After the sugar cane is harvested, it is chopped and shredded and crushed with the help of a steam engine. The resulting juice is fermented in large tanks and then distilled in a column still. This type of distillation, as well as the exclusive use of sugar cane from the production country, are requirements for obtaining the controlled designation of origin AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée).
The Warehouses
The distillery owns four warehouses, among others, which are open to the public and can be visited: Chai Homère Clément (1917), Chai Charles Clément (1996), Chai Georges-Louis Clément (1999) and Chai Jean-José Clément (2006). In total, more than two million litres of Rum are stored in Clément's warehouses.
The History
The history of the distillery, formerly known as Domaine de l'Acajou, dates back to the 19th century when Homère Clément, a doctor and farmer, began growing sugar cane on his estate. The distillery was founded in 1917 and taken over by Homère's son Charles Clément after his death in 1923. In 1973, Charles' sons - Georges-Louis, Jean-José and Marcel-André - succeeded him. The Hayot family, close to the Clément family, took over the distillery in 1986 and continued the legacy of Rhum Clément in their spirit.
Over the years, international meetings have also been held here, such as the Franco-American summit in 1991, when Presidents Mitterand and Bush were hosted at the plantation.
The Habitation Clément has been a listed building since 1996. In 2003, the main house and the outbuildings were completely restored.
The Visitor Centre
The distillery offers guided tours of its facilities, where visitors have the opportunity to experience the entire production process and taste the different types of Rum. Guests can also visit the extensive botanical gardens and view the changing exhibitions of local Caribbean artists in the galleries on the estate.
In addition to the distillery, Habitation Clément is also dedicated to Caribbean culture. In 2005, the Clément Foundation was therefore founded, which over the years has amassed a collection of documents on the history of Martinique.
Distillery Adress:
Habitation Clément
Domaine de l'Acajou
Le François 97240
Martinique
Tel: +596 596 546207
User Notes about the Distillery
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