Clairin Sajous

Lovely lovely stuff, with rubber, wild flowers, olives, seaspray, earth, canejuice and many more flavours. Intensely complex and full of character.

Eternally thankful for Luca's persistence. This is absolutely delicious. Mushroom stock, fermented pineapples, and an intense umami quality, like tomato beef stew. The second sip becomes more floral and sweet: wild thyme, overripe lemons, green olive juice.

After reading comments about how fantastic a Daiquiri this Rhum makes, and my amazing experiences in that regard with Clairin Le Rocher, I decided to give Clairin Sajous a go.

This is an unaged pot still rum made in Haiti from fresh pressed Cristalline sugar cane juice and distilled at 56.2% ABV. It contains zero additives of any sort.

On the nose I get fresh sugar cane, Castelveltrano olives, Sour Patch Kids candy, Lime Peel, and Sour Apple Jolly Rancher hard candy. The nose in many respects is very similar to a good unaged Rhum Agricole with the fresh pressed sugar cane and olives notes being the most noticeable.

Taking a sip, the comparisons to unaged Agricole end abruptly. Immediately my mouth is flooded with Sour Apple Jolly Rancher followed by a Dirty Martini in combination with Licorice, Anise, Rubber, Starfruit, faint rubbing alcohol, and a slight brine. Its not as psychedelic as Le Rocher but it still definitely different from other unaged rums. Here the flavors are different but less bizarre and intense than they are in Le Rocher.

The finish at first lines up somewhat with the palate. The finish is short but builds up over time. It starts with Sour Apple Jolly Ranchers, rubber, and fresh sugar cane. Ok, that tracks…but after a while newer different notes appear. After putting down the glass I am left with a fresh earthiness like Georgia clay after a rainstorm followed by the taste of used cigarette…but somehow not in a terrible way? I know that sounds weird because I hate cigarettes and I especially hate used damp cigarettes and this has all the hallmarks of that experience, but yet it’s not bad, but rather just interesting.

Overall this is a pretty decent Clairin. It is nowhere near as bizarre or intense as Clairin Le Rocher but it is definitely interesting in its own right. In some respects it’s like a good unaged Agricole; but in other respects it is very different from that.

True to the suggestions to try it in a Daiquiri, I did just that. It makes an excellent Daiquiri - not as unique or impressive as the Clairin Le Rocher to my tastes, but still quite excellent. Dare I say, the 2nd best Daiquiri? Man these Clairins are building quite the reputation in Daiquiri form.

Anyway this is a fine Rhum and Clairin. It doesn’t send me on a psychedelic trip through life sensory experiences like Le Rocher does, but it is still quite delectable and different from other rums in its own right. I will bet this makes an otherworldly Ti Punch, but that is perhaps for another day.

Short Description: Smoke a cigarette in
Georgia red clay territory in the rain while drinking a dirty martini. Pop a Sour Apple Jolly Rancher and some Sour Patch kids in your mouth to freshen your breath, and then step into the Doctor’s office. Now dial the intensity down a notch and mark it as a pleasant memory. You are very close.

Nose: Sugar Cane, Castelveltrano Olives, Sour Patch Kids candy, Lime Peel, Sour Apple Jolly Rancher

Palate: Sour Apple Jolly Rancher, faint Dirty Martini, Rubber, Licorice, Anise, Starfruit, faint rubbing alcohol, slight brine

Finish: (short) Sour Apple Jolly Rancher, Rubber, Fresh Sugar Cane, Earthiness, Cigarette

ABV: 56.2%
Country of Origin: Haiti
Distillery: Saint Michel de L’Attalaye

Final Thoughts: This is not as intense or psychedelic as Le Rocher, but it is still a pretty tasty pot still sugar cane juice rum. It is in some respects similar to a good unaged Agricole; but yet it is different still to that. It makes a mighty fine Daiquiri; not quite as spectacular as Le Rocher, but still pretty damn good. I am not sure this warrants buying a back up, but I will definitely enjoy this bottle.

The funk is for real in this one. It might not be for everyone, but it is for me.
The smell is fantastic; it reminds me guarapo juice with lime (sugarcane juice), for newcomers will suggest either lowering down the alcohol with water when trying neat. Mix with whatever you like, Coconut water or lime juice.

I wasn't able to write down tasting notes for this one, but among all the whiskies and rums I had during the evening when I got to try this, I remember this the most.

Aroma is fresh with typical agricole style. First taste is slightly sweet with grass and herbal tones. After a bit burning (but less than you would expect from 56%) Aftertaste is long and complex with many different tones.

In previous episode that was Barbancourt vs Trois Rivieres. Tonight this is Clairin vs Neisson - more mighty couple.
Nose: both are pretty aromatic and just Ok. Clairin's is a bit more stronger, full of ripe fruits. Neisson's has some ethanol.
Palate: both are absolutely smooth, rich. Clairin is more oily, fruity, citrus. Neisson is somehow subtile, a little spicy and peppermint. Both cores are delicious licorice, sugar cane.
Aftertaste's duration is infinity.
I have not found favorite between them. Maybe Neisson is easiest to consume. But let Clairin breath for minus 5° - it can open more aroma, taste.
Compared to S1E1 this pair is perfect.

barva : čirý
vune banány, ovoce
chut: sladkost a ovoce, dřevitost, smetana
zaver : za mně jemný s lehkou sladkosti
hodnoceni 8,9
koupit ano z 80%
Alcohol 56,5 %

Traditional pot still. Full of flavor. Dryer. Light mouth feel. Fuel scent, so good. High Ester hints. Lighter fruit aromas. Such a unique rum. Support them.

Sampled at Aku Aku in Orlando. Clear in color. Lovely dough and grass aroma. Flavor has a bit of banana. Outstanding.