Velier Arawaks Clairin Ansyen Vaval (The Nectar) 2016

This Arawaks Clairin Ansyen Vaval is a Haitian clairin from the Velier stable, the Genoese bottler that has done more than anyone to bring clairin to a wider audience. Clairin is Haiti's village cane-juice rum, made with wild, spontaneous fermentation from heirloom cane, agricole in spirit but unable to use the word. This single cask is lightly aged at full proof and bottled at 48.6%.

Made from fresh sugarcane juice on a pot still and given some time in ex-bourbon oak, this Vaval is a drier, more restrained clairin than the style's wildest examples. Citrus, glue and grassy, floral notes lead the nose, then a herbal, lightly medicinal palate gives way to an earthy, vegetal finish marked by olive, sugarcane and a faint thread of Caroni-like smoke. The funk is present but not overwhelming. A characterful sipper for drinkers who like grassy agricole or lighter Jamaican funk and want an olive-tinged clairin with real terroir.