Compagnie des Indes Jamaica Clarendon 8 ans is a molasses rum from Jamaica. The Clarendon distillery is known for its light rums (used in the famous Captain Morgan), but is also famous among connoisseurs for its Monymusk brand.
For this brand, as for the bottling that interests us here, the distillery uses traditional pot-stills to produce highly aromatic rums that reflect the island's traditions.
This single cask was distilled in March 2013. It was aged for 8 years before being bottled as cask strength in April 2021.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, a small vanilla syrup with a hint of exotic fruits past immediately takes us into a tepidly tropical mood. Deep notes of fermented molasses bring out an almost animal character, tinged with green olive brine. Yet we're not at all in the realm of savagery: all this is contained, controlled, and not without a certain freshness.
The aeration adds a little creaminess to the whole, so the sweet spices are caught in a soft, delicate syrup, which doesn't attenuate their fragrance, quite the contrary.
The palate is fruity, pastry-like and slightly organic - in short, everything you'd expect from a Jamaican rum. The copper-tinged exotic fruits have a furious urge to unleash the horses, but are skilfully contained by a rather tender, vanilla-like woodiness. In this way, a fine balance is established, without extinguishing the gourmet intensity.
The finish is both pastry-like and dry, with dark currants and savory stone brandy.
"A fine example of what Jamaica has to offer, all with a mastery that is not to be underestimated..."
jdon29900
a Jamaican as it is done