Saint Benevolence Aged Rum Clairin
Saint Benevolence Aged Rum Clairin is a Haitian clairin from the Dorcinvil Distillery in Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye — cane juice and syrup distilled in handmade copper pot stills, then aged 18 to 22 months in new American oak and bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in 750mL. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 50% (100 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 18–22 months in new American oak
- Base: Field blend of indigenous cane (Cristalline, Madame Meuze, Farine France, 24/14), as juice and syrup
- Distillation: Handmade copper pot stills; juice and syrup fermented and distilled separately
- Distillery: Dorcinvil Distillery, Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye
- Origin: Haiti
Clairin, Given Time in Oak
Clairin is Haiti's indigenous cane spirit — hundreds of small distilleries, each working local cane with minimal intervention — and Saint Benevolence is its ambassador bottle, made by Master Distiller Dr. Rev. Gueillant Dorcinvil in Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye from a field blend of heritage cane varieties, pressed into juice and syrup, fermented with wild yeast and run separately through handmade copper pot stills. The Aged takes that raw, funky spirit and rests it 18 to 22 months in new American oak — long enough to round and sweeten it without sanding off the clairin character. The brand is built as a partnership: per its current charity programme, each case sold funds a week of chemotherapy through Innovating Health International, alongside support for Haiti Air Ambulance. Browse the Saint Benevolence collection and the wider rum shelf at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Importer Skurnik's notes open on nougat, guava, dried coconut and pineapple skin; the palate brings candied tamarind, coconut cream, honey and clove over the grassy funk of the cane, finishing warm and spiced at full proof.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat to meet clairin on its own terms, or give it the agricole treatment — a ti' punch with lime and a touch of cane syrup. The oak-aged version also stands in for rum in stirred classics where you want funk with structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clairin? Haiti's traditional cane spirit: fresh cane juice and cane syrup, wild-yeast fermented and pot-distilled at small local distilleries, usually bottled unaged and full of grassy, funky character. The Aged Saint Benevolence rests 18–22 months in new American oak.
How is clairin different from rum agricole? They are cousins — both start from cane rather than molasses — but clairin follows Haitian tradition: heritage cane varieties, juice-and-syrup blends, wild fermentation and small handmade pot stills, with no additives.
What does Saint Benevolence support? The brand partners with Haitian health organisations; under its current programme, every case sold funds a week of chemotherapy via Innovating Health International, and it also supports Haiti Air Ambulance.
What proof is the Aged Clairin? 50% ABV (100 proof) — the same full strength as the unaged clairin, with the oak adding nougat, coconut and spice.
Haiti's cane spirit, oak-rested and full-strength — order Saint Benevolence Aged Rum Clairin online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.