I’ve been holding off on getting Barbancourt because I kind of want to get all 3 to try at the same time, and the stars just haven’t aligned for that. But, I found some San Zanj at a small liquor store, and decided to give that a try. It’s my first time trying a Haitian rum.

Review

Smell

On the nose, it immediately gives me some of the agricole funk that I remember from HSE Martinique agricole blanc, but a lot less aggressive. It’s the same warm, grassy, slightly pickled olive smell.

Taste

I only have HSE agricole with me for direct comparison, but it reminds me a lot more of Copalli white. It’s sort of a sliding scale, where Holmes Cay Reunion Island agricole was very heavy with the olive taste, and HSE Martinique agricole is a bit less olive and a bit of fruit, while Copalli and San Zanj have only a hint of olive and a lot of fruit flavor. San Zanj has a more pronounced pineapple and citrus flavor, and it makes a seriously good daiquiri.

Verdict 6.5/10

(Edited from 7/10 on 6/11/26)

(Edited from 8.5/10 on 1/4/26)

San Zanj is really complex and fruity. I don’t think it beats the pure Jamaican funk of Xaymaca, but it’s very good. Very much up there, and because it reminded me so much of Copalli, right now I will just give them the same score. 8.5/10

January 4, 2026 Update:

I still very much like this rum. The flavor is great and complex. There’s better clairins out there, like Clairin Sojous or Copalli white (I was actually able to taste Copalli and San Zanj side by side and Copalli edges it out), but this one continues to be solid. 7/10

June 11, 2026 Update:

Honestly, this rum has been coming off as rather bland lately, especially with how flavorful rum can get. Now I think it’s tied with Planteray 3 Stars and Breezeway Blend at 6.5/10.