Seattle Rum Drops: Tacoma Cabana's Sea Quest Of The Unknown Hippocampus

Home >> Seattle Rum Drops: Tacoma Cabana's Sea Quest Of The Unknown Hippocampus

Sea Quest Of The Unknown Hippocampus

Tacoma Cabana

The morning chill is present and rain falls from the sky; but one must recall, Summer doesn't officially end for another two weeks. A double check of the calendar confirms it is still September and despite recent memories of warmth, the sun has forgotten to shine here in the Northwest. No problem, as they say in Jamaica, for another sort of tropical heat is now being served at our favorite local Tiki spot, Tacoma Cabana. Their newest menu cocktail, Sea Quest Of The Unknown Hippocampus, has the contrasting ability to both unearth pleasant memories and subdue any unwanted ones. Its curious name has meaning, but let's just call it 'Sea Quest' for short, a more palatable title for the short term memory. Jason Alexander, co-owner and its creator, tells us the recipe was serendipitous. The first rift of ingredients used needed no further modifications. As he makes our Sea Quest, he mentions how a recent radio show discussed the hippocampus, notable for its role in memory. Jason recounted it was Latin for seahorse - the upper body of a horse and the lower body of a fish. Hence the fitting Tiki mug and brilliant name. Awesome! If you have tasted the memorable Rhum Damoiseau 110 proof or Rum Fire (126 proof), then you know to expect a incredibly aromatic and flavorful split base. Properly balanced and telling, one sip of Sea Quest unveils a flavor load driven by the Jamaican thoroughbred Rum Fire and illuminated by the charms of the Guadeloupe Sun-filled Rhum Damoiseau 110 proof. Genepy's floral and herbal notes compliment the agricole while rounding out the elemental sweet, citrus and spice blend. During Martin & Rebecca Cate's recent visit to launch their amazing new book, Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum and the Cult of Tiki, the following accolade came after tasting the Sea Quest.

"Delicious!"

Rebecca Cate, Smuggler's Cove

Sea Quest Of The Unknown Hippocampus

Tacoma Cabana

Sea Quest Of The Unknown Hippocampus

by Jason Alexander

.75oz Rum Fire

.75oz Rhum Damoiseau 110 proof

1oz Don's Mix

.5oz Dolin Genepy des Alpes

.25oz Orgeat (house made)

.75oz lemon juice

It's on the menu, so head down to Tacoma Cabana and order a drink to remember. It might, no, it should become one of the timeless Tiki drink on bars across the USA and beyond.

Cheers!

Rhum Clement X.O. - A Death in the Family

We all imagine the time will come when there will be no more time. Like an older relative or loved one, we understand there will be a point at which, their life will end, when we will receive a phone call from a family member, informing us of the expected, yet otherwise unimaginable. We attempt to understand what it may be like, but don't really want to know. Then, that point arrives and the seemingly infinite amount of time on Earth is suddenly fixed; you hang up the phone and are left with memories and a void. You cannot change what has happened, but notice an ache deep inside, knowing such times will no longer be. This is how I felt after hearing that Rhum Clement X.O. had died.

Composed of the best vintages (1952, 1970 and 1976) Martinique has ever seen, its aromas and flavors were well received and impacted many. These vintages, despite their most appealing qualities, were produced in limited quantities. We often take for granted those with so much meaning in our lives, and as a r(h)um lover, I am guilty of this as well. An amazing rhum comes along, however you don't fully appreciate it in the context of it never being readily available again. History repeats and this timeless story is told again. Its passing is a great loss to anyone who appreciates world-class spirits and it saddens me knowing the future of rhum agricole will no longer have one of its finest expressions at hand. In trying to relate what this rhum meant, I have requested comments from many of those in the rhum community about Clement X.O.'s passing.

Here are some of the comments from friends, family and those who have came to know and love this rhum agricole tres vieux:

It's sad because it was the first agricole that visually (X.O./Bottle) connected itself with French brandy making for me. I think Martinique could benefit from that connecting and pedigree more. I typically avoid r(h)ums that have spent more than 15 years in a barrel. I have never avoided Clement X.O.  

---Steve Livigni (La Descarga, Scopa Italian Roots, The Chestnut Club)

We will remember it as one of the best of all the french caribbean. The last tears of it have already been consumed and our tears won't replace the pleasure and feelings we had to enjoy the last sips of it. Let it rest in peace alongside the master, the Dr. Homere Clement, for now and eternity 

---Benoit Bail (Liqeuers et Spiritueux, Zwazo Rum)

So much more than a series of age statements, the X.O. straddled both brilliance and belligerence with sweet bright notes layered over a dense almost over charred, finish. 

---Chris Morales (Rhum Clement)

This won't be the last retired iconic spirit as demand for quality far exceeds the old stocks that exist to provide it. Drink the good stuff while you can! 

---Jim Romdall (Rumba)

I once traded a bottle of X.O. for an excellent bicycle. Now that bicycle makes me sad. 

---Wayne Curtis (Author - And a Bottle of  Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails)

Clement X.O. was my introduction to aged agricole and has remained a favorite for many years. I started with the best and have never found a worthy substitute. It will be a very sad day in the rum world when it is finally....Until then I'm hoarding every bottle I find.  

---Mike Streeter (Rum Connection, International Rum Council)

I just can't believe X.O. is gone. It seems like only yesterday I was drinking X.O. out of a bottle in New Orleans with Jeff Berry and Blair Reynolds...the times we had, they will carry me forward. 

---Matt "Rumdood" Robold (rumdood.com, 320 Main) 

Well, I'm sad to see it go. It was a lovely rum, very austere and agreeably dry. Despite the advanced aged of the component rums, it never presented as over-oaked. Fortunately, the Clement range continues to expand with fine new offerings that help soften the blow.

---Martin Cate (Smuggler's Cove)

You were my first top shelf premium rum. Although you were excellent to sip on, your true calling was being paired up with Appleton 21yr for the luxurious Fifty Dollar Mai Tai that so many people enjoyed on their birthdays, anniversaries, promotions and holiday celebrations. The Fifty Dollar Mai Tai will never be the same and for that, you will be truly missed. 

---Jason Alexander (Tacoma Cabana)

It belongs to the ages now... 

---Chris Carlsson (Spirits Review) 

It's the end of an era personally. The Clement X.O. was the first truly high end agricole I ever had and I will remember it always with its nod to Cognac.

---Rocky Yeh (American Northwest) 

It's with great sadness mixed with warm emotions that Clement X.O. has depleted its rare stocks and has departed our rum cabinet for the great cellars in the sky.

---Benjamin Jones (Family, Rhum Clement) 

X.O. we hardly knew ye, but your legacy lives on. Vive le Vieux!

---Paul Clarke (Imbibe) 

It says a lot for Clement's integrity if they discontinue X.O. for a missing ingredient: most brands would just fiddle the formula!

---Ian Williams (Author, Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776)

The bottle that effectively pushed a certain Controlee brandy (au revoir Cognac) off the tiny Sambar shelves and solidified our Rhum-centric nature. It was all Agricole after that. 

---Jay Kuehner, (Vessel, Sambar) 

There will be a void in my rhum cabinet after the death of the excellent Clement X.O.

---Ian "Rum-Ambassador" Burrell (The Rum Experience) 

It's not often one's compelled to write about a rums passing. Most rhums, even great ones, simply....disappear...News of Clement X.O.'s pending extinction --barrel aged stocks of the 1952 vintage essential to its DNA are depleted - caused a tear drop as large as the shapely bottle it's presented in. No ordinary rhum, X.O. combines that elusive and exclusive complexity of aromas and harmony of flavors that other master blenders aspire to achieve. They will fall short. Clement's estate grown sugarcane and distillates are available only to them and to you in these always collectible yet soon to be extinct bottles. Hoard now, enjoy at leisure, cry later.

---Dave Russell (Rum Gallery, International Rum Council)

Habitation Clement and Rhum Clement X.O.

Rest in Peace Clement X.O.