Clairin Le Rocher (700ml)

Haiti is experiencing a rum renaissance, evidenced by the fact there are around 50 running distilleries in the rest of the Caribbean and no less than 532 in Haiti alone. Small craft operations are scattered throughout the country. Species of un-hybridised sugar cane, chemical-free farming, spontaneous fermentation with no yeasts, and archaic unfiltered distillations are common practice.

Le Rocher is the latest Clairin from Romulus Bethel's distillery located in Pignon. Produced from syrup, rather than pure juice, the syrup is boiled in order to preserve all the aromas while retaining the character of three varieties of cane. A single pot still rum, this is bottled at ‘still proof’.

Tasting note:[2017 vintage 46.5% Alc./Vol. tasted] Clear. Semi-sweet bouquet evokes candied pineapple, fruit pastries, toasted marshmallow with air contact adding grassy / caney scents and more. White rum meets blanco mezcal, with a seemingly impossible combination of smokey, citrusy, sappy, briney, fruity, fusel flavours that almost defies description. Exceptional.