Clairin Sajous Rhum Agricole

North of Haiti’s capital; Port-au-Prince, in the Saint Michel de l'Attalaye region, is the Chelo distillery – built by Michel Sajous in the place his family has been since 1960. The small distillery is located in the middle of the plantation and spans 30 hectares, which are planted with different varieties of organic sugar cane. Fresh, herbacious and fruity, this is Clairin at its finest. Tasting the traditional Clairin rums of Haiti is easily one of the most eye-opening and awe inspiring experiences you can have. This independent distillery is run by Michel Sajous in the northern high altitude village of Saint Michel de L'Attalaye. Here he organically cultivates the Cristalline species of sugar cane, ferments the fresh press only with wild yeasts and distills to proof in a pot still. Notes here include fresh apples, pickled herbs, green olives, bee pollen white pepper and honey. A pure unadulterated rum full of authenticity. NOSE Big – it jumps out at you as your face approaches the glass. Pungent herbs, damp leaves, mulchy fruit skins, a hint of petrol, Play-Doh, pickled gherkins and sweet raw sugar cane juice. PALATE Softer than the nose suggests, but still full on. Spicy cinnamon, tarragon, overripe bananas and squishy apples to start. Darker notes develop, with hints of liquorice and dark chocolate joined by even more green herbs. FINISH Medium-long and very clean, with sweet green apples and green herbs fading quickly to anise and a touch of cinnamon spice. COMMENT A complex and fruity spirit, run through with herbs and spice.