Aroma visualization from community tastings
Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018
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Most tasters land around "very good," with a few calling it the best aged Sajous they've had and a couple docking it for aggressive clove and pushy alcohol early on. It's an aged Haitian clairin: glue and ester funk, mango and sugarcane up front, then baking spice, dark chocolate and a medicinal, mineral finish. Give it air and the heat settles. Several say it could pass blind for a young high-ester Jamaican.
The community says- Mango and esters
- Funky character
- But: Hot when young
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How does Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018 taste?
Summarized by AI from community reviews.
Funky aged clairin, mango and glue Well-liked aged clairin — funky, fruity and rounder than the raw distillate. Most love the mango-and-glue character; the catch is a hot, sometimes clove-heavy start that needs air.
Aroma profileFans of high-ester funk and clairin
Anyone wanting a soft, low-proof sipper
Style & occasion: Tropical & funkySipping neat
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
40 of 106 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Which glass for which rum? The community guide ›
Recommendation
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What does the community say?
106 community reviews
34 selected write-ups on this page, all of them in the RumX app
Top 16% of Haiti rumsTop 25% at Chelo
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Positive from 8.0 · Mixed 6.0–7.9 · Critical below 6.0
Review by zabo
Most helpful positive review
Edit: tasted the rest of the sample again with a heavy cigar. A truly beautiful companion. Corrected upwards From memory, I find this one somewhat rounder and more palatable than its predecessor. For me, it's not a great highlight in terms of complexity, but still a nice easy sipper that I would rather drink on the terrace in summer. The 5 years of tropical storage have definitely done it good.
Review by Julien Huitel 🇫🇷
Most helpful mixed review
Tasted on an August evening around board games! (07/08/25) "Strong!" - First nose, powerful (a bit too much alcohol) you immediately find a pastry side, yeast, wood but dominated by these too present esters. After a good hour of opening, the alcohol diminishes and gives way to some spices and light red fruits (raspberry for freshness). - On the palate, it’s powerful. You immediately find the pastry universe, pancake batter, yeast. Then the spices, clove, allspice with a slightly spicy side. The alcohol also diminishes on the palate with opening but remains present. - Medium finish, on marzipan, prunes.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Plenty of ester & funkyness - typical for sajous with lots of mango and sugar cane mainly - combined with burnt caramel and light barrel notes. Round, spicy, fruity, funky and intense. Nevertheless harmonious and could pass blind as a young high ester Jamaican. Main flavor: Pineberrys, a quasi albino strawberry and mixture of strawberry and pineapple. I like it surprisingly well!
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#4566 20.01.2024 Relaxing a bit today ☺️ This is a pretty powerful rum and I love the mix of ester and light glue notes with the fruity part. The palate is lightly oily and warm with nice fruits. The finish is medium long and has a nice medicinal note to it. The empty glass has faint strawberry to it.
Review by Dr.Django
i like the clairin runs very much! there's a lot to discover here, even without storage. let's see how the series with the beautiful black and white labels performs and lives up to my expectations. 2017: I wouldn't have given this bottling five years. The alcohol could be better integrated, little barrel influence, which I find rather negative here. Generally very herbal with olives and herbs. Otherwise (light) fruity as usual. 76 pts. 2018: this is already "heavier", darker fruity and spicier. clear barrel influence. warm, fruity and full-bodied on the palate. Alcohol not optimally integrated here either. 80 pts. 2019: Seems to combine the first two perfectly! I like it very much. A full-bodied fruit basket with spices and astringency. It's a lot of fun! 86 pts.
Review by Thunderbird
The successor to Sajous is quite similar to its predecessor, but doesn't quite come close. It is much tamer than the latter, which some people may like better, as it is somewhat rounder and more palatable. The range of aromas is very good and varied (fruit, spice, sugar cane)
Review by Jakob
Great fruitiness, subtle caramel sweetness, deep aromatics. I actually really like it, because the fruit is given a lively counterpoint of caramel-honey sweetness and a little wood - whereby the aforementioned aromas are multi-layered and develop a fascinating spectrum in the mouth. I enjoy it.
Review by Giorgio Garotti
Although I still prefer pure clairins this is perhaps the best aged sajous I have tried to date! It retained all the richness and flavors of the crystalline sugarcane with a nice mineral and toasty part! Promoted!
Review by Timo Groeger
I really like this Sajous. Lots of sugar cane, but also esters and tropical fruit on the nose. The palate is also predominantly sugar cane. But also quite fruity again and a nice ester influence.
Review by Mentalo
Sajous remains my favorite among the Clairins. This is also a beautiful, well-rounded bottling. Fruity, spices, caramel, light sweetness and sugar cane. It also has a lovely medicinal, slightly rusty finish.
Review by Johannes
Fruity, complex, esters, but round overall. I like it very much. Must be tasted soon in comparison with the other Sajous.
Review by Ysmir
Second pour from a bottle that's been open for ~6 months Startingly big change when I first poured this. Instead of being muted and meh, this has gotten quite gluely on the nose and the fruits are shining bright. Cane juice distillate is standing strong with mint, olive brine, and sugarcane being the most prominent. Barrel notes are well integrated and become more obvious as it moves to the finish, dark chocolate and licorice galore. Overall, a very good Clairin and a sad reminder that we don't get these in the US (Apparently the Vieux Sajous 2020 5 Yr is coming but I am not hopeful for pricing or availability).
Review by DomM
Little VSGB Haitian cross tasting. All three clearly share the same dna, while the vintages show quite significant differences. All of them are very intense and water heavy with: 2018 Fruits and pastries with marzipan 2019 much more vegetal and harsher compared to the other two. 2020 vegetal with red berries For me 2018 > 2020 > 2019
Review by Cinci
Slightly sweet on the nose, with vanilla and caramel coming through directly, as well as some classic sugar cane notes. On the palate there is much more complexity and beautiful notes of pastry and cookie dough - exciting. The finish is slightly sweet and the aromas linger for a long time; I find the alcohol very nicely integrated.
Review by Benoit Mahe
On the nose, Clairin is present, but the cask doesn't prevail, even if it does add a touch of vanilla. The palate is fruity and greedy. Esters are present. There's a spicy, peppery edge that balances everything out. The finish is tangy and candy-like. It reminds me more of a Jamaican or a Vaval. A very good old Sajous, better than the ex fut Caroni that preceded it.
Review by Skyfly
Cologne-Bonn rum tasting: finally another outlier, fortunately on the upside. The cask works, so there is significantly less olive to smell/taste. Pleasant fruit from nose to finish. Lots of nail polish on the finish
Review by Tim
Very good, excellent balance with special fruit flavors such as berries, mango and banana. Esters are joined in equal measure by woody influences, also really great on the palate, as it is complex and round. Not least because of its vegetal freshness.
Review by ilRummista
An excellent aged Sajous. Fruity nose and rich in esters. The palate is loaded with tropical fruit and spices with very pleasant hints of cinnamon. Vieux Sajous proves to be a very pleasant drink.
Review by Martin Ekrt
As usual with similar fillings, the smell of Haitian stink is undeniable. For us "afflicted", it's perfume. Wow, the cask has aged a lot, I might be better off at 4 years of aging than 5. Further sips have confirmed that for me. Not bad, but there have definitely been better and more balanced Haitian agings.
Review by Jérémie Peresse
A first approach a bit marked by alcohol. This fades with a bit of opening to reveal quite indulgent, woody, spicy, even pastry notes. A mix of yeast, prunes, slightly tart fruits. But I find the alcohol marks the tasting a bit too much and the finish lacks length.
Review by Stefan L
- Second tasting and I like it. - 260709: I like it and bump it a point.
Review by Roman Lelek
Another Vieux..same same but little bit different. Generally I like this style of rum. This one reminds me funky Jamaica..fresh tropical fruits mixed with wood and esters in the background. Nosing- I can smell tropical fruits and glue, later wood. Taste - funky esters followed by caramel and sugarcane with finish in medicine or mineral.. That’s great rum for refreshing and not for long winter days.
Review by Giuseppe Ambrosio
Very powerful! In the glass it's quite viscous with a nice dark color. On the nose it's very fragrant and powerful, lots of esters with fruit and spices. On the palate it feels quite alcoholic at first, needs to breathe. Initially almost like a Jamaican. The finish is medium long. I liked it a lot, I find it very interesting considering it has quite a young aging. I find the Sajous very interesting, I'd like to see how they evolve over the years.
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
🧪 Tasting – Vertical Sajous 5 years 🥉 2018 – 57.5% Nose first closed, then vanilla, pastry-like, with a seductive medicinal touch. Mouth more raw: spices, solvent, butter… 👉 A hybrid profile agricultural / Jamaica ❌ But a clove note too aggressive
Review by Leo Krüper
Pleasant sweetness, but little on the back end
Review by bavarian-rumlover
Good to drink, easygoing, round and good for the crew. No huge complexity but nicely funky, fruits, some burnt caramel, some sugarcane. Definitely has something. Warm and medium-long finish. Fun, I can recommend it.
Review by Ondra RumRunner
Chelo Velier Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018 is a bold rum with a rich aromatic profile, sourced from renowned distiller Chelo in collaboration with Velier and La Maison du Whisky. The nose of this rum offers a complex blend of esters, mango, tropical fruits and subtle floral notes, backed by hints of glue, apple, earthy character and peach. The palate is intense, dominated by tropical and fruity notes with strong esters. Spicy and baked nuances blend harmoniously with mango and a light sweetness of sugar cane. The overall experience is full, rich and long-lasting. Chelo Velier Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018 is a remarkable rum with a rich aromatic profile, originating from the renowned Chelo distillery in collaboration with Velier and La Maison du Whisky. The nose reveals a complex blend of esters, mango, tropical fruits, and delicate floral notes, supported by hints of glue, apple, earthy character, and peach. The palate is intense, dominated by tropical and fruity tones with prominent esters. Spicy and roasted nuances blend harmoniously with mango and a light sweetness of sugarcane. The overall experience is full-bodied, rich, and long-lasting. Deutsch: Chelo Velier Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018 ist ein bemerkenswerter Rum mit einem reichen aromatischen Profil, der aus der renommierten Chelo-Destillerie in Zusammenarbeit mit Velier und La Maison du Whisky stammt. Die Nase offenbart eine komplexe Mischung aus Estern, Mango, tropischen Früchten und zarten Blumennoten, unterstützt durch Anklänge von Klebstoff, Apfel, erdigem Charakter und Pfirsich. Am Gaumen zeigt sich eine intensive Mischung aus tropischen und fruchtigen Tönen mit dominanten Estern. Würzige und geröstete Nuancen verbinden sich harmonisch mit Mango und einer leichten Süße des Zuckerrohrs. Das gesamte Erlebnis ist vollmundig, reichhaltig und langanhaltend.
Review by AlexM
Nice fruity complex already in the nose when pouring. Pleasantly oily in the glass. And in the taste the whole complexity unfolds very well in very fruity and slightly caramelized aromas supported by 57.5% vol. Followed by a long finish with floral and fruity aromas on the palate. Perfect to enjoy on long summer evenings.
Review by Pavel Ungr, RumRock
Ročník 2018. S 8,3 z 10 jde o velmi dobrou lahev, byť ne špičku mého žebříčku.
Review by martin slezák
Rum calendar pavla spačka 20 rx17323 Colour copper amber Aroma marzipan, glue, smoky, musty, floral Flavour mustiness, smokiness, smoked, marzipan, spices, caramel, pleasant spiciness, smooth taste Medium-long finish marzipan, bitterness, caramel, flowers, bilberries, currant cane
Review by Michael Janek
In aroma, a subtle canagom with something the flavour is terribly mild at first, sweetens, then opens up with great force better than the one from the Caroni barrel 5.6.2025 Havana Brno still excellent!!!
Review by Rum man
Aged Clairin can be a bit of a mixed bag, but this one worked out quite well. Even after 5 years of aging, the original Sajous distillate is clearly recognisable even though it has been smoothed out. It turned it into a great easy sipper.
Review by Jérémie Leone
Superb. We find again what we liked about the 2017 ex-Caroni. With a greedy, saline, liquorice finish.
Review by Mc Pirate
What an extraordinary nose! Very Jamaican at first, with lots of alcohol (esters) but no varnish, which gives it an exceptional nose! The palate is also alcoholic but strangely chewy, gourmand and even ends on something very pastry-like!
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Community shelf
132 bottles logged by 114 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
12% opened, 2 emptied.
What does Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018 cost?
Community paid 75–117 €.
Current best price: 97.06 € – within the typical community range.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 96 €. Full price & collection history in RX+ ›
132 purchased · 111 tasted · 49 wishlist · as of
Details about Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018
A Clairin from Haiti, bottled by Velier, at 57,5%.
About the Chelo distillery
The Chelo distillery is located in Haiti. Rums from Chelo have been reviewed 1,378 times with an average of 8.2/10.
To Chelo ›Read on in the RumX Guide
All releases in this series
Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2018
Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2019
Velier Chelo Vieux Sajous (LMDW) 2020
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