Name: Samaroli Edition 2017 Caribbean
Type: Rum
Origin: Bottled in Scotland in July 2017
ABV: 45%
Price: $135.99 from the Wine and Cheese Place in Ballwin, MO.
I mentioned in my last libation review covering the Matusalem 18 Year Grand Reserva that I was perusing the Rum section of the store for “something unrelated”. That “unrelated item” was a bottle of Caribbean Samaroli rum. A few years ago, myself and a few friends met up in Las Vegas for a few days of hanging out. While there, we hit up Casa Fuente in Caesar’s Palace and one of my friends there enlightened me to one of the fantastic rums on their ‘Black List’ (Samaroli 2003 Caribbean). Since having it, I have found that I have not found it anywhere. Seeing a Samaroli product on the shelves of my semi-local liquor store, I inquired about the Caribbean bottle listed in the aisle. After figuring out that the bottle in question was at a different store, I asked them to hold it for me until I could make my way over to that store in a few days. Sure enough, once my schedule allowed, I made the trek and picked up the elusive bottle…only to find out that it was a slightly different blend than what I had in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, it’s still an excellent expression and one that I wanted to write about today. One interesting item about Samaroli’s offerings is that they age their rum in Scotch casks. It’s relatively common to find scotches aged in various casks (Carribean, Bourbon, Sherry, etc.) but not the other way around.
If I were to hand this to you, the color on this rum would make you think it isn’t rum at all. It holds a pale yellow gold hue compared to several others I have reviewed and drank elsewhere that take on a more familiar darker caramel and brown sugar like colors. In addition, the nose on the Edition 2017 Caribbean is not a characteristic of a rum either. Sure, buried in the fragrant arrangements are the telltale molasses and brown sugar notes that are common in rum, but the aromas of peat, smoke and dried fruit took the forefront of those aromas. Once the liquid hits the palette, the differences between the Samaroli and other rums really begin to show. The front of the palette offers up the familiar notes of molasses but accompanies it with peat from the aging of the rum in Scotch barrels and hints of dried fruit. The middle of the palette brings sweet caramel notes accompanied with faint spice. The back of the palette finishes the experience with the more common rum flavors of caramel, brown sugar and spice. The finish on this rum feels longer than others and offers hints of a brown sugar aftertaste.
Because this rum has such a strong character, you would need either an equally full bodied cigar to keep up with all the flavors or be content with a milder cigar to accompany the rum. I’ve only had a couple of cigars with this Samaroli as I want to enjoy this rum sparingly. Each cigar I have had has been in the full bodied range and has complemented the rum rather well.
The only knock I can bring to this rum is the cost. This is like buying a very high end (for my budget) bottle of single-malt Scotch that might be enjoyed once or twice a month at the most. Between that and the limited bottling of this rum, this is not going to be a normal buy. Should you see this (or other Samaroli products) and you are able to afford it (or even see it at a local bar), definitely consider this. It’s something you will not forget.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Thank you very much for reading and I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.
