Refined Vices

Utility Separator

Samaroli 1990, 1975

Silviano S. Samaroli is an independent Italian based bottler, known for his Malt Scotch Whisky and more recently for his rum bottlings as well. All of these are limited edition products from single casks that cannot be reproduced, which makes them quite special.

In the past Samaroli visited the main rum distilleries on all of the tropical sites and got familiarised perfectly with the distilleries in Jamaica, Guyana, Martinique, Trinidad, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mauritius, Reunion South Africa et cetera.

His first limited edition rum bottling was the 1948 West Indies Dark Rum which became very successful.

Today Samaroli bottles multiple different rums under the Samaroli label and makes a strict selection for rums that are to be bottled according to the rum samples he receives from the barrels from the distilleries.

Samaroli rums are wood fermented and I assume copper pot distilled as Samaroli tells me he never deals in column still products at all. According to Samaroli, to achieve the best results the rums must be matured in a cold and humid microclimate like Scotland where the maturation is very slow as opposed to the faster tropical maturation.

Only paper filtration is used for his bottlings as opposed to the more commonly used chill and charcoal filtration before bottling. A very slow dilution with water is also used to ensure it can be easily absorbed by the various substances in rum. This kind of slow dilution is an uncommon method among spirits producers due to its expensive nature.

I was sent two samples of Samaroli Demerara rum, both of which I shall review in this double rum review the first one being the lighter coloured Demerara 1990 and the very dark coloured Demerara 1975.

Unfortunately I do not have full bottles so I have not been able to take pictures of the actual bottles.

Samaroli Demerara 1990

Appearance

In the sample bottle this rum is very bright and clear with a yellow straw colour whereas in the glass the colour is a pale white wine colour. The legs are thin and evaporate fast.

Nose

The aroma is well rounded, smooth and slightly dry with a tiny amount of yeast. There is a vanilla aroma with distant hints of almond, copper and even malt aromas which might indicate an ageing in Scotch whisky barrels instead of the more traditional bourbon barrel. There are even escaping notes of banana and rancio as well as sweet honey - beautiful and seductive aroma.

Taste

Dry with a very woody and malty entrance with some sharpness and bitterness.

Aftertaste

There is a strong taste of vanilla and malt with soft notes of rancio and marzipan dominating the palate after swallowing. Honey that lingers for a short while, after the initial flavours, is replaced with dry maple and as well as with a faint banana note.

Final thoughts

A drier, beautifully balanced rum that would probably appeal to more serious rum drinkers or to Whisky lovers who are not fond of the sweeter mainstream rums, which can be found in many places.

  • Details at a Glance

 Pure Single Rum

Details at a Glance

Country: Guyana
Aged: Vintage 1990 (Bottling date unknown)
Barrel(s): Ex-Bourbon Single Cask
Style: Pure Single Rum
Distillery:
 Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL)
ABV: 45%
Hydrometer Reading: 0 g/l

Legacy Silver Award
 

 

Samaroli Demerara 1975

Appearance

This 1975 rum is very dark brown in colour with an enticing ruby red tint. The legs are a little heavier than in the 1990 Demerara rum but still quite thin.

Nose

To the nose the rum feels extremely robust and heavy. It is sweet with almonds and full with dark fruits, coconut and hints of honey, caramel and copper. Distant cola and leather aromas as well as a curious tea leaf aroma creep up the glass as it is tilted for better access to the aromas.

Taste

This rum is also dry, woody and slightly sharp but heavier with rancio notes than the 1990 Demerara. The somewhat toasted flavours are simpler than and not quite as heavy as one would expect from the robust nose which has me hoping for a little more robust flavour from this rum.

Aftertaste

The finish is pleasant and long, warm and spicy and it is quite dry with slight rancio and tea notes and wood that sticks to the palate. After the wood has gone there is a very light tobacco flavour mixed with tea leaves left lingering in the palate.

Final thoughts

I have to respect Samaroli for creating these rare single cask products available to consumers as it is not every day you have the chance to try rums like these, since most rums produced are blended rums.

This 1975 rum is probably one of the most exclusive and the oldest as well as the most limited rums I have yet come to taste.

  • Details at a Glance

 Pure Single Rum

Details at a Glance

Country: Guyana
Aged: Vintage 1975 (Bottling date unknown)
Barrel(s): ex Bourbon Single Cask
Style: Pure Single Rum
Distillery:
 Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL)
ABV: 45%
Hydrometer Reading: 0 g/l

Legacy Silver Award
 

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