Clairin Sonson Rum
700mL | Unaged Haitian sugarcane spirit | Bottled at still strength, undiluted — Clairin Sonson is the spirit of everyday Haiti, commercially bottled: an unaged sugarcane spirit from the village of Sonson in Cabaret, north of Port-au-Prince, produced by Stephan Kalil Saoud and bottled by Velier as part of the "Spirit of Haiti" rum range. Made from syrup of non-hybrid Madame Meuze cane grown in Cabaret, fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and distilled in a single pot still over an open wood fire — the pre-modern method — then bottled directly at still strength with no dilution, no aging, no filtration.
Clairin is a legally distinct Haitian category, and Velier's project is the reason the world can taste it at all: until this range, clairin was never commercially bottled. The exact strength varies by harvest — Récolte 2018 bottled at 53.2%, 2020 at 51.1%, Récolte 2023 at 49.4° — because the bottle contains the spirit exactly as it left the still that year. The exact ABV of this bottle is printed on its label. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Tasting notes
Fresh and herbaceous: cut grass, basil, lemongrass, and banana with a distinct white truffle note; straightforward, fruity, and accessible on the palate with pepper and ginger on a long finish (press notes from the Velier team). Retailers note grassy cane, olive brine, chili-pepper spice, flinty minerals, and overripe pineapple.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- Haiti's everyday spirit, bottled for the world — never commercially available before Velier's "Spirit of Haiti" project
- Bottled at still strength — undiluted, unaged, unfiltered; the exact ABV varies by harvest year
- Pre-modern production: Madame Meuze cane syrup, spontaneous fermentation, open-flame pot still
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat at room temperature to experience the still strength, or in a Ti' Punch with a lime coin and a touch of cane syrup — clairin's natural habitat.
Frequently asked questions
What strength is my bottle of Clairin Sonson?
It depends on the harvest: Récolte 2018 was bottled at 53.2%, 2020 at 51.1%, and 2023 at 49.4°. Because clairin is bottled undiluted at the strength it leaves the still, the exact ABV is printed on the bottle's label — check yours.
Is clairin the same as rum?
Clairin is a legally distinct Haitian spirit category; Velier classifies this release as a Rhum Agricole-style cane spirit. It is unaged and bottled at still strength, unlike most aged rums.
Who makes Clairin Sonson?
Stephan Kalil Saoud, in the village of Sonson at Cabaret, Haiti — bottled by Velier (La Maison & Velier) in Italy.