Jun. 11: Drammers Baltimore -w- Independent Bottler Samaroli......
Hello Baltimore Drammers!
On Tuesday, June 11th at 7pm, we’re excited to invite you to a special tasting with one of the world’s most respected independent bottlers — Samaroli. A big thank you to Katie for hosting (we’ll send the address to those who sign up — it’s at a beautiful private residence in Lutherville MD this time).
Founded in Rome in 1968, Samaroli was the first independent bottler to be established outside of Scotland or England, and the company quickly made a big name for itself with it’s legendary bottlings in whisky. Today they continue that tradition and have expanded their portfolio to include rum as well. At this tasting we’ll be tasting both their whisky and their rum, and we’re very excited to share that our guest speaker will be their US Importer, Chris Bittner, who will be joining us live in person to tell us all about what we’re drinking. Here’s our lineup, drumroll please…
Islay Edition 2023. Our headliner for the evening was distilled at the Caol Ila distillery In 2007, and bottled in 2023, so 15 or 16 years old, matured in a PX Sherry cask. Cask #12040. 48% abv.
Linkwood Edition 2023. Distilled at the Linkwood distillery, which (like Caol Ila) is today owned by Diageo. 2008 vintage, bottled in 2023, so 14 or 15 years old, presumably aged in an ex-bourbon cask. #306029.
Samaroli Apprentice 2023 Ed, I’m really interested to learn more about these — this will be the first of 3 limited release blended Scotches (this one is a Blended Malt Scotch) we’ll be tasting at this event. As the name implies, this whisky leans on younger expressions. From their website: “This young spirit exhibits vibrant and fresh notes, with a malty introduction accompanied by hints of green apple, honey, yellow stone fruit, and a touch of citrus. It possesses liveliness and unpredictability, requiring time to settle down and allow the olfactory impressions to solidify upon savoring.” 43% abv.
Samaroli Architectus 2023 Ed. Next we turn to a more traditional blend — at least in the sense that it is a blend of malted barley and other grain whiskies. From their website, we can expect: “a grand mix of dried fruits, almonds and toasted pistachio. We bask in the aroma of the sea, mysterious and majestic to the east and transported by a summer breeze while beyond the cliffs the sun slowly dips below the horizon.” 45% abv
Samaroli Ardenistle 2023 Ed, Another blended malt Scotch, we’re told this one takes its inspiration from “an old blend made for Anacleto Bleve of Rome quite some time ago… We decided to assemble two Caol Ila and an Islands — actually a Jura. All young and cheeky malts. Bubbling like children playing out in the yard during summer, their voices resounding tirelessly…. Nosing yields warm bread and blue cheese. This first impression does not elude the palate once tasted. Lingering despite its young age, evolving towards a balsamic profile with a wealth of pungent notes such as oregano, sesame, marjoram. The iodine component is naturally persistent, but it does not hinder this spirit‘s tempo and dimension. Yeast-rich grain in the finish. 50% abv.
Samaroli SPQR Blended Rum. We’ll keep the blending party going, but next we’ll turn to the rum side. Not much is disclosed about where they source their rums. The name (SPQR) is a playful reference to the ancient Roman republic. And since their descriptions are so much fun to read, we’ll share them again: A nose and palate evoking a sense of Mare Nostrum, that Mediterranean surrounded by the Roman empire. A lengthy promenade from the gate to Asia and Cappadocia through the roads of Greece and the south of Italy to the lavender fields of Provence and further to the maquis of Andalusia. Dried figs, dates, linden honey, alcohol-pickled fruit, then fruits firmed up by sun and caramel, candied apricot, sweet spices, saffron... a long list of sugary associations. Equally opulent, balanced, fascinating, virile, generous, expressive, untiring to the mouth. We are surprised, conquered, convinced, attracted and then left alone only to be brought back to where we left off once more, without weakening or wearying – in fact with crisp vivacity. 48% abv.
Samaroli Jamaican Rhapsody Rum. Another blended rum, this time blending from various (undisclosed) Jamaican distilleries. From their description: “The pungent effervescent tones surprise and conquest us as they almost fizz on our palate. Mediterranean to the core, astounding. Rich in innuendos which do not betray what the nose has promised. Coffee, fruit, balsamic minty notes alternating in a complex beat.” 45% abv.
That’s our lineup! We hope you can join us. We’ll order in light food (included, likely pizza) to try to make sure that nobody is drinking on an empty stomach, and as usual arranging a ride home is highly recommended. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Cheers,
Charlie, Katie and Drammers Club