The cream, best (5)
I believe the answer is:
elite
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'the cream' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'best' is the second definition.
(elite can mean the very best of a group)
(Other definitions for elite that I've seen before include "Identified as the best" , "A privileged group in society" , "Group considered to have superior status" , "Letter size; superior group" , "Superior group in society" .)