Boukman Botanical Rhum

Boukman Botanical Rhum. Two family-owned distilleries, Haiti — the ultimate expression of Haiti's clairin trampé tradition, a completely dry fresh cane juice rhum infused with seven wild-foraged Haitian barks and botanicals, named for Dutty Boukman, the voodoo priest whose 1791 ceremony ignited the Haitian Revolution.

On the night of August 14, 1791, at a secret ceremony in the woods of Bois Caïman, the Haitian revolutionary leader Dutty Boukman led an oath to liberty — sealed, as was the Haitian tradition, with rum. That ceremony launched the Haitian Revolution, the only successful slave revolt in history, which led to Haiti's independence in 1804. Two centuries later, Boukman Botanical Rhum honors that oath and Haiti's rhum culture through a product that is distinctly, irreducibly Haitian.

Boukman is derived from two of Haiti's best rhum terroirs: the rich canefields of Croix des Bouquets in the south and the northern cane fields around Cap Haïtien — the site of Boukman's rebellion. The fresh cane juice from each region is fermented and distilled in the traditional Haitian way, producing a clairin — a raw, unaged cane juice spirit that forms Haiti's contribution to the family of naturally infused cane spirits across the Caribbean. The clairin is then infused with seven botanicals and barks, many of them wild-foraged and native to Haiti: Bois Bandé, Zou'devant, Campèche, Bois Cochon, bitter orange peel, allspice, clove, and vanilla. There is no added sugar, no caramel coloring, no molasses base — making it unlike virtually any other commercially available spiced rum. 90 points and Gold Medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute. 10% of profits are reinvested in education through Haïti Futur.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Gorgeous and floral with spicy citrus — clove, cinnamon, bitter orange peel, and honey with baked pear. A natural, vegetal quality halfway between cachaça and gin. Herbal and aromatic without being medicinal.
• Palate: Pleasingly plush body. Jerk spice-like opening — black pepper and clove with racing floral and botanical notes. Wood, chocolate, tropical fruit, and key lime pie. Dry throughout with no sweetener to round or mask.
• Finish: Long and crisp with wood, cardamom, licorice, and a sweet mellow cane note. Vegetal and dry through the close.

Specs

• Distillery: Two family-owned distilleries, Haiti (Croix des Bouquets & Cap Haïtien region)
• Style: Clairin Trampé — Haitian botanical rhum
• Base: 100% fresh sugar cane juice (clairin — not molasses)
• Botanicals: Bois Bandé, Zou'devant, Campèche, Bois Cochon, bitter orange peel (Citrus bigaradia), allspice, clove, vanilla — many wild-foraged in Haiti
• No added sugar, no caramel coloring
• ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Boukman Botanical Rhum taste like? Unlike any spiced rum you've tried. Gorgeous floral and spicy nose with clove, bitter orange, cinnamon, and honey. The palate opens with jerk spice-like heat from pepper and clove, then floral and botanical notes, wood, chocolate, and tropical fruit. Completely dry throughout — no added sugar. The finish is long with cardamom and licorice.
• What is clairin trampé? Clairin is Haiti's native fresh cane juice spirit — raw, unaged, and fermented from the juice of locally grown sugarcane rather than molasses. Clairin trampé is clairin that has been macerated or infused with botanicals and barks in the traditional Haitian way. It is a subcategory unique to Haiti.
• Is Boukman a sweet rum? No — Boukman contains no added sugar, no caramel coloring, and no molasses base. It is completely dry, which is highly unusual for a commercially produced spiced rum. Its complexity comes entirely from the fresh cane juice and the seven wild-foraged botanicals.
• Who was Dutty Boukman? Dutty Boukman was a Haitian revolutionary leader and voodoo priest who, on August 14, 1791, led a secret ceremony at Bois Caïman that sparked the Haitian Revolution. He was killed shortly after but the movement he started led to Haitian independence in 1804 — the only successful slave-led revolution in history.
• What cocktails is Boukman best in? Excellent in gin-adjacent cocktails — try it in place of gin in a G&T where its herbal, floral character shines. Also outstanding in a Boukman Mule, a Negroni variation, or any cocktail calling for a botanical, dry base spirit.