Following the allied occupation post World War II, Italy was presented with something new; Scotch from the
British soldiers, Coca Cola from the Americans. Both were taken to the Italian bosom and each left their mark.
During the War, Winston Churchill had decreed: “On no account reduce the barley for whisky – this takes years to
mature and is an invaluable export and dollar producer.” As ever, he was prescient, and his instructions ensured
older stocks continued to be available for distribution during the war period. Nevertheless, distillery seasons
between 1942 and 1944 saw no new whisky produced. Italy’s newly-created middle class were therefore presented,
post-war, with particularly young single malts which had been newly produced, alongside matured single malts from
places like Islay and Cambelltown, which had managed to maintain decent stock levels. Throughout the 50s, 60s and
early 70s, Samaroli purchased and sold whisky, becoming the first non-British independent bottler, breaking what had
been an exclusively British club for more than 200 years.
By the late 1970s, he had acquired its own Scottish warehouse and was introduced to rum. One of the
company’s first clients was Anacleto Bleve, who helped the brand develop, evolve and become a reality in the spirits
world. In the early 2000s, Antonio Bleve, Anacleto’s son, undertook an apprenticeship with Samaroli’s founder. “It
all starts with what we would like to drink,” explains Antonio Bleve. “It must be something that pleases us, first
and foremost. We dream about a dram – and then we begin to analyse and search for the desired liquid and the desired
cask. We make it unique; liquid can be enhanced by modifying time and space. If necessary, we age the liquid for a
longer period in Speyside. We re-cask the liquid in a more suitable ‘home’. And we blend by mixing different liquid
expressions. “When you buy a Samaroli bottling, prepare yourself for a tasting adventure, one where quality is
reinterpreted and perhaps continually challenged; no one is better than the other.”
Laurence Davis, owner of Sautter Cigars, says: “The opportunity to work with Samaroli alongside The Rake
was a no brainer for us. We all have inquisitive and stylish clients who are looking for the best of the best. They
are interested in being taken on a journey, in being educated, and they all appreciate something special when they
see it. The sort of customers who come to my shops to smoke incredible cigars from all over the world are looking
for exactly the same sort of thrill from their spirits. That’s why our collaboration is the perfect fit.”
Limited to 320 bottles, The Rake x Sautter x Samaroli collaboration bottling is a blended Scotch whisky,
distilled in 2003 and bottled 20 years later at 45% ABV. The blend is a mix of 2003 Single Malt Scotch and a 2003
Single Grain Scotch from a restricted distillery. Designed to accompany a good cigar, this expression has elegant
notes of dry white flower on the nose, as well as white stone fruit, candied pear, honey and Chantilly Cream. These
later morph into fruit, almonds and sweet spices. On the palate, the whisky is crisp and delicate from the outset,
becoming round and smooth. The finish recalls the dry fruit and white flowers in a memorable crescendo.
