PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This clairin comes from a genuinely fresh discovery within the category — Dieugrand Marcellus, born and raised in St. Michel de l'Attalaye, widely considered the true heartland of Haitian clairin production. Marcellus began his career in distillation as a teenager, working alongside his grandparents at their guildiverie — the Haitian term for a small, family-run sugarcane processing and distilling operation — before spending years through his twenties assisting other established distillers in the region. Only after that long apprenticeship did he strike out to build his own clairin. Selection Massale's own Nadim spoke to exactly why this bottling matters: "we've been looking for clairin in St. Michel ever since we started working in Haiti in 2018. St. Michel is the beating heart of clairin production in Haiti and we're very excited to work with a young producer in the area."
The production method closely mirrors Distillerie Patrick St. Surin's approach behind Clairin Milot: hand-harvested Blue Crystalline sugarcane, crushed for juice, fermented naturally with native yeast in open-top vessels, then loaded manually into a handmade, roughly 1,000-gallon stainless steel pot still, fired using bagasse — the dry, spent cane fiber left over from pressing. The spirit is double distilled and bottled entirely by hand at full proof, 52% ABV.
Smith & Vine's tasting found "bright, fruity aromas" riding "on top of deeper anise and baking spice notes, with an unmistakable funky briny quality that keeps the palate incredibly fresh," recommending it be enjoyed "neat" to appreciate its complexity, or "in spirit forward cocktails that allow it to shine." Disco Liquids' own comparative tasting, weighing this bottling directly against sibling Selection Massale releases, found it "the lightest in texture of the three, with clean, high-toned spices and vivid fruits on the nose and palate" — a genuinely useful reference point, given you're tasting all three side by side. This is genuinely exciting, newly available clairin — real, direct access to St. Michel de l'Attalaye's own storied clairin tradition, from a young distiller who earned his craft the long way.
Clairin St. Michel de l'Attalaye is produced by Dieugrand Marcellus, born and raised in St. Michel de l'Attalaye, Haiti — a region widely regarded as the heartland of Haitian clairin production. Marcellus learned distillation as a teenager at his grandparents' guildiverie, then worked as an assistant to established local distillers through his twenties before founding his own operation.
The clairin is made from hand-harvested Blue Crystalline sugarcane, crushed for fresh juice and fermented naturally with native yeast in open-top vessels. The fermented juice is loaded manually into a handmade, approximately 1,000-gallon stainless steel pot still, fired using bagasse (spent sugarcane fiber), then double distilled and bottled entirely by hand at full proof. This bottling is imported by Selection Massale. Bottled at 52% ABV, 750ml.
No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.
Smith & Vine (extended tasting note):
"Bright, fruity aromas ride on top of deeper anise and baking spice notes, with an unmistakable funky briny quality that keeps the palate incredibly fresh. Drink neat to enjoy its complexity or use in spirit forward cocktails that allow it to shine."
Disco Liquids (extended comparative tasting note):
"It is the lightest in texture of the three with clean, high toned spices and vivid fruits on the nose and palate."
Nadim, Selection Massale:
"We've been looking for clairin in St. Michel ever since we started working in Haiti in 2018. St. Michel is the beating heart of clairin production in Haiti and we're very excited to work with a young producer in the area."
Nose
Bright and fruity, with anise and baking spice layered underneath, alongside a distinctive funky brine character.
Palate
Clean and high-toned, with vivid fruit carrying real freshness, the lightest-bodied of the region's clairins, balanced by genuine savory brine.
Finish
Fresh and lingering, closing with spice and a lasting briny funk.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Clairin — Cane Juice, Pot Still |
| ABV | 52% |
| Base | Hand-harvested Blue Crystalline sugarcane juice |
| Fermentation | Natural, native yeast, open-top vessels |
| Distillation | Double distilled, handmade ~1,000 gallon stainless steel pot still, bagasse-fired |
| Distiller | Dieugrand Marcellus |
| Region | St. Michel de l'Attalaye, Haiti — the heartland of clairin production |
| Importer | Selection Massale |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely fresh discovery within clairin — bright, high-toned, and comparatively light-bodied against other regional styles |
| Aromas & Flavors | Bright fruit, anise, baking spice, funky brine |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Ti' Punch — clairin, cane syrup, lime peel; the classic showcase for its bright, high-toned fruit character.
Daiquiri — its comparatively light body and vivid fruit make it a genuinely versatile base, less overpowering than heavier clairin styles.
Spirit-forward stirred cocktails — per the brand's own recommendation, built to let its complexity shine without dilution.
Neat, or with a single ice cube — the recommended way to appreciate its full, evolving complexity.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
Your cart is empty
Start shopping
