CLAIRIN CASIMIR
I still remember the taste of Clairin Casmimir before few years when it showed up on German market.
My colleague in the bar approached to me and offered me a shot to try. On the first sip I thought he gave me petroleum. It was an explosion in my mouth. Now few years later I change my mind. It is an volcano explosion and eruption of aromas. But let’s go easily. Step by step. Sip by sip.
NOSE
As soon as you get your nose close to the glass, you’re hit with a fist full of alcohol. Clairin Casimir is famous for being high-proof. Those who are strong enough to handle the first hit will find grassy and vegetable notes, along with that petroleum of a few years ago. As I said,it is a strong volcano. The moment the wooden cork is pulled up, you feel that. There are vapors of alcohol filling the room as you pour it into the glass, and you realize you are dealing with something serious, or should we say dangerous. Some notes of fresh ginger are trying to clean your respiratory system.
PALATE
It bites your tongue and burns your mouth, literally. Probably because of the high alcohol content with 53,6% ABV, the tongue receptors can not detect the flavors hidden in it. It reminds me on navy strength rums, but that’s far from the usual rum perception. It’s funky, but not like the Jamaican style. It has its own flow. You will probably never forget this flow.
FINISH
This is the flow you will not forget. The petroleum-vegetal aftertaste. You know it comes from the ground and you will not forget that. Crystal clear volcanic lava that stays on the palate for a long time, filling your nose from the inside.
ADDING ICE-DOES THE VOLCANO COOL DOWN?
Have you ever try to cool the lava?
Well I did. With few ice cubes.
NOSE
We get more fruity tropical notes on the nose, I guess the water did its job. It has calmed things down. A few traces of citrus can be detected.
PALATE
Nobody ever cooled the lava, so I couldn’t either, especially with two ice cubes. Even though it’s colder, it still burns. Pepper and ginger are present in traces, as well as paprika. But as I said it is in traces.
FINISH
The tasting notes in this rum are very personal to me. As the aromas float from your palate to your nose, I feel defeated, as it is such a versatile rum. A special complexity is created by the aromas passing from your palate to your nose.
Considering the notes of chocolate, it will be challenging to pair this rum with chocolates next Sunday, but who knows, maybe earthy and fruity notes from chocolate will bring calm this raging volcano.
