Zanj Rum
Berling S.A. traces its lineage back to 1862 in Port-au-Prince when brothers Dupre & Labbe Barbancour began distilling high quality rum from locally sourced clairin. The brothers split in 1870 with Labbe continuing to produce artisanal Haitian rums under his new company, Jane Barbancourt Co., (affectionately named after his granddaughter). Although the company name evolved over time, first to The Barling S.A and finally settling in 1999 on Berling S.A., their dedication to creating artisan Haitian spirits continues into the modern day.
Today,Jane's grandson Herbert Barbancourt Linge is owner and president of Berling S.A. Herbert has become the world's central figure in Haitian rum and clairin, known internationally for his expertise and long lineage in the category. Along with sourcing, blending and bottling some of the world's most widely recognized clairin and rum brands, he has recently added distilling to his resume.
PRODUCTS
san zanj 43% ABV
San Zanj, from Haitian Creole, translates to ''Without Angels" and is a reference to the un-aged nature of this spirit.
This rum & clairin blend is made primarily from an organically grown sugarcane varietal known as Madame Mueze, farmed without the use of chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides. The cane is hand-harvested by machete, using only the pure sugarcane juice for fermentation with no sugars being added.
The clairin in this blend is sourced from two clairin-only producing distilleries with the rum coming from a third rum-only distillery, all of which use Creole Column Stills dating back to the 1940's. All three are located in the agriculture rich plateaued region of Port-au-Prince known as Cul-de-Sac and were selected by Master Blender Herbert Linge Barboncourt due to their perfect expression of the tropical dry style of Haitian spirits.
tasting notes
Tropical Fruit & Banana Pudding Notes Yet Clean & Dry
Awards
2023 Silver: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
ak zanj 43% ABV
Ak Zanj, from Haitian Creole, translates to "With Angels" and is a nod to the evaporated spirit stolen by thirsty angels.
Distilled in a 60+ year old Creole Column still and aged exclusively in limousine oak, this 100% pure juice rum is produced from a low yield varietal named Madame Mueze. The cane is hand- harvested by machete, using only the pure sugarcane juice for fermentation with no sugar or color being added. No chemical, fertilizers or pesticides are used in the farming process.
tasting notes
Rich red gold with deep caramel & savory fruit notes. Hints of honey & vanilla with a dry nutty finish.
ak zanj 8 years 43% ABV
Ak Zanj, from Haitian Creole, translates to "With Angels" and is a nod to the evaporated spirit stolen by thirsty angels.
Distilled in a 60+ year old Creole Column still and aged exclusively in limousine oak this 100% pure juice rum is produced almost exclusively from a low yield varietal named Madame Mueze. The cane is hand-harvested by machete, using only the pure sugarcane juice for fermentation with no sugar or color being added. No chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides are using in the farming process.
tasting notes
Rich & delicious notes of butterscotch & caramel finishing totally dry with hints of plum.
ak zanj 10 years 43% ABV
Ak Zanj, from Haitian Creole, translates to "With Angels" and is a nod to the evaporated spirit stolen by thirsty angels.
Distilled in a 60+ year old Creole Column still and aged exclusively in limousine oak this 100% pure juice rum is produced almost exclusively from a low yield varietal named Madame Mueze. The cane is hand- harvested by machete, using only the pure sugarcane juice for fermentation with no sugar or color being added. No chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides are used in the farming process.
tasting notes
Rich red gold with deep caramel & savory fruit notes. Hints of honey & vanilla with a dry nutty finish.
Awards
2023 Silver: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
ak zanj 15 years 43% ABV
Aged 15 years in 227-liter single cask Limousine oak ex-Cognac barrel
Ak Zanj, from Haitian Creole, translates to "With Angels" and is a nod to the evaporated spirit stolen by thirsty angels.
Distilled in a 60+ year old Creole Column still and aged exclusively in limousine oak this 100% pure juice rum is produced almost exclusively from a low yield varietal named Madame Mueze. The cane is hand-harvested by machete, using only the pure sugarcane juice for fermentation with no sugar or color being added. No chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers are used in the farming process.
tasting notes
Toasted vanilla bean & caramelized banana notes elegantly balanced with hints jasmine, iris, cigar box & earthly black truffle.