Clairin Sajous Ansyen 18 Mois
Clairin · Distillerie Chelo (Michel Sajous)
Clairin Sajous Ansyen represents Haitian rum at its most transparent. Michel Sajous grows his own native sugarcane varieties on volcanic and limestone soils, ferments with wild yeast, and distills on a small copper pot still. The 18 months in American oak add polish without erasing provenance. This is terroir-driven rum in the most literal sense — the mineral signature of Haitian soil is printed on every sip.
Nose
Grassy, almost vegetal agricole character with tropical fruits — overripe banana and guava. Underneath, there's a distinctive mineral, almost chalky earthiness unique to Haitian sugarcane juice spirits. Light vanilla from brief cask contact.
Palate
Lean and focused, with citrus zest and tropical fruit leading into a savory mid-palate of dried herbs and muscovado sugar. The oak is restrained — just enough to add structure without overwhelming the raw cane spirit. A funky, almost fermented fruit note adds depth.
Finish
Medium-long, with banana, agricole grassiness, and a clean mineral close.
- Base Ingredient
- Fresh sugarcane juice (native Haitian varieties)
- Distillation
- pot still
- Country
- Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye, Haiti
Cocktail Suggestion
Haitian Ti' Punch — 2 oz Clairin Sajous Ansyen · 0.5 oz fresh lime juice · 0.5 oz cane syrup · Build in rocks glass, add single large ice cube, stir briefly.
Food Pairing
Grilled jerk chicken with mango salsa
Michel Sajous cultivates native Haitian sugarcane on his family's estate near Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye, fermenting the fresh-pressed juice with ambient wild yeast and distilling it on a simple copper pot still before resting the spirit in ex-bourbon casks.
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