Review #1015; Rum #346: Clairin Vieux Sajous 4yr (2017)

Clairin Vieux Sajous (2nd Release)

This bottling of rum comes to us from Haiti, bottled by the spirit of Haiti in Haiti. This cane juice rum was aged for 4 years in a mixture of ex-rum cask and ex single malt casks before being blended together and bottled at cask strength with no additives. This is for sale at Astor.

ABV: 56.3%

Nose: Sea Salt, Black Tea, Olives, Bready, lemon zest

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Olives, Black Tea, Sea Salt, Bready, vegetal, cheese, umami, lemon zest

Finish: Medium length finish, olives, black tea, bready, cheesy, vegetal, umami

Rating: 8/10

Wow, this blew me away with how excellent it is. The oak influence brings interesting notes but doesn’t overpower it, the base flavors are Sajous punch through as well with the olivey brine forming the backbone of the tasting experience. This is one of the best aged cane juice expressions I’ve had and the blenders of this should be given props for a such a balanced and interesting combination.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect