Clairin Sajous from Distillerie Chelo is one of the most authentic expressions of Haitian rum, produced from the native Cristalline sugarcane variety, which is hand-cut and spontaneously fermented using only wild ambient yeasts. It is distilled in traditional copper pot stills and bottled without filtration at a naturally high strength of around 54-56% ABV, preserving its raw, unaltered character.
The flavor profile is intensely vegetal and earthy, showing notes of fresh-cut grass, green herbs, green pepper, olive, mint, and light citrus accents, with minimal fruitiness and no added sweetness. This Clairin reflects the full microflora and terroir of Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye, where the distillery sits amid extensive cane fields.
The texture is oily, powerful, and direct, making it best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water, though it is also used in experimental cocktails that seek to introduce a wild, unfiltered aromatic structure. Clairin Sajous remains one of the purest and most faithful representations of traditional Haitian rum.
Producer
Distillerie Chelo is a family-run artisanal distillery from Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye in northern Haiti, recognized for producing Clairin, a traditional, unfiltered rum made exclusively from the local Cristalline sugarcane variety. The cane is hand-cut, spontaneously fermented with wild ambient yeasts, and distilled in classic copper pot stills, without additives, dilution, or industrial intervention.
The result is a powerful, raw spirit - typically 54-56% ABV - with a profile defined by grassy, herbal, and earthy notes, complemented by subtle citrus and restrained fruit undertones. Their flagship expression, Clairin Sajous, reflects the terroir of northern Haiti and the multigenerational expertise of the Sajous family, offering a spirit that stands in stark contrast to commercial, highly processed rums.
Chelo remains committed to minimal manipulation and traditional techniques, positioning its Clairin as one of the purest and most authentic representations of Caribbean rum heritage.