Clairin Rum - Saint Benevolence - 50%
The Clairins represent the authentic rums of Haiti, a land where 532 small artisanal distilleries still exist across the only Caribbean island that rose up against slavery in 1804. Today, Haiti is one of the few countries to preserve ancestral and purist rum traditions; evidenced by its indigenous varieties of non-hybrid sugarcane, its 100% natural cultivation without any chemicals, spontaneous fermentation without added yeasts, and archaic, slow, unfiltered distillation, guaranteeing a rum rich in aromas and unique character.
The sugarcane is grown in association with other plant species such as banana and mango, with full respect for the natural ecosystem. It is left without chemical intervention for 18 months, the time needed for maturation before harvest. Harvesting is done manually, with a machete (sugarcane cutter), and the canes are transported to the distillery by ox-drawn carts, perpetuating an ancestral know-how. At the distillery, the canes are carefully pressed between the rollers of the mill; the extracted juice flows into a stone container. Meanwhile, a human chain carries the pressed cane residues to a natural drying area. To qualify for the prestigious "Triple A" designation, the strict protocol requires a minimum fermentation of 120 hours and distillation limited to 5 traditional copper stills, heated directly by wood fire. The rum is then bottled immediately upon leaving the still, thus ensuring exceptional freshness and purity, and bottling takes place exclusively in Haiti.
Saint Benevolence is a brand created in 2017 by Calvin and Chase Babcock, father and son, driven by a strong humanitarian mission. Since 2002, Calvin has been involved with Habitat for Humanity and founded Living Hope Haiti, in partnership with Reverend Gueillant Dorcinvil. The following year, he introduced his son Chase to this solidarity journey, working together to sustainably support Haitian communities. The purchase of each bottle of Saint Benevolence rum directly funds essential programs: medical services, educational training, and economic initiatives, thus transforming the lives of people in northern Haiti.
This exceptional cuvée is the result of a meticulous blend of indigenous sugarcane clones (Cristalline, Madame Meuze, Farine France, and 24/14), grown in organic farming on rich alluvial soils, under the unique tropical climate of Saint Michel de l’Attalaye. The premium quality cane juice and syrup are distilled separately in a single pass in a traditional Creole copper still, then blended to offer a rum with intense and complex aromatic profiles.
