Velier Casimir Clairin Ansyen 19 mois (Ex-Caroni) 2016

Velier's Casimir Clairin Ansyen is Haitian cane-juice rum in the agricole spirit, though Haiti cannot use the word, distilled at the Casimir operation from heirloom cane fermented wild with native yeasts. This 2016 is a single cask aged a little under two years before bottling at 49.6%, with the wrinkle that the barrel previously held Caroni. The Trinidadian influence is subtle given how short the maturation ran, leaving the clairin's own character in front.

Pot distillation and spontaneous fermentation push fruity esters and a vegetal, grassy core, drier and more herbal than a Jamaican of similar funk. The nose turns on esters, fresh cane and tropical fruit, the palate floral and dry with that ester lift, and the finish carries young wood, grass and a slightly smoky barrel note. Unsweetened and characterful, it suits neat sipping or a punch built for funk.