Samaroli 2002 Demerara Rum 14 Year Wooden Pot Still – 45%
Stats: Distilled in 2002 at Diamond in Guyana, this Demerara rum spent 14 years aging in Scotland before being released in 2016 by Italian independent bottler Samaroli at 45% ABV. This without a doubt comes from one of the heritage wooden pot stills at DDL, but I’m unsure if it’s Port Mourant or Versailles. I’m leaning towards PM based on the profile. It is cask #9 which produced 320 bottles. Mine is stamp numbered 20.
Background: I first tried this rum at Tiki Tatsu-ya. I enjoyed it enough that I immediately searched the internet for a bottle and found the only online source with it in stock was in St Louis. The shop wouldn’t ship so I called in a favor to an old friend and a couple weeks later had two bottles at my doorstep. This review comes following the kill of the first.
Conditions: Enjoyed neat in a Glencairn over the course of multiple sessions.
Nose: Horchata, harissa, black tea, toasted wood, baby powder, orange blossom, chocolate milk, cardboard
Mouth: Chocolate milk, cinnamon, sweet tobacco, toasted oak, black tea, cracked black pepper, anise, butterscotch, sea water, caramel chew, banana taffy, loads of wood and barrel spice lingers
Final Thoughts: Samaroli does an impeccable job of managing huge flavors at moderate ABV’s. This is creamy with hints of anise and campfire. It’s supremely drinkable and has a moderate burn that sits in your chest. I could drink this all day.
My rating: 5/5
My Scale:
1 – I don’t want this in my mouth ever again
2 – Best used for mixing
3 – Decent sipper
4 – Very enjoyable
5 – I’m buying a back up bottle
Austin Rum Society 