Sep. 16: Drammers Chicago -w- Samaroli, Legendary Independent Bottlers...
Fellow Drammers!
On Monday, Sep. 16th at 6:30pm, Michael and Bonnie have generously agreed to host an intimate dinner tasting with Chris Bittner, the importer of Samaroli, the legendary independent bottler of Scotch that was founded in 1968 as the first independent bottler outside of Scotland. He is too humble to say it, but in our opinion, Chris is single-handedly bringing this great brand back to the United States, and we’ve been thrilled to host him for special tastings in NYC and Los Angeles in the last few days. The idea behind the event is that it will be a smaller group for a more intimate tasting, and our friends the Nolans are putting together quite a feast for us (not the usual pizza, ha). Only a few spots available, but we hope you can join us. And a huge thank you to Michael and Bonnie for hosting us — their address is: 5058 North Kedvale Avenue (60630). Dinner at 6:30, tasting at 7:30pm.
As for the lineup, we brought their entire range into our online retail partner www.DRINQY.com so we know the lineup will include at least that, but in practice, Chris has been adding truly massive pours to the lineup, so consider the headliners to be a surprise that will be announced at the event, but you definitely won’t be disappointed with the lineup!
Cheers,
Charlie, Michael, Elhan and Drammers Club
Core Range Lineup at the Event: (Headliners to Be Surprise Bonus Pours at the Event):
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.