This batch of the Samaroli Evolution (2013) is a blend of 37 single malts that cover 40 years of distilling history. The oldest whiskey in the bottle is a 1957 Mortlach and the youngest is a 1997 Linkwood. It’s an amalgamation of the “dregs” / remainders of other bottlings that get placed into a barrel they continue to filled with other remainders in a solera-like method.
Every couple of months (2-3) they dump batches of whiskey that will become bottlings of Samaroli Evolution and during that dumping they add some distilled water. They repeat this process over and over until a barrel hits the desired bottling strength of 45%. The theory behind this slow, year+, process is that it gives the spirit and the water time to mix and mature together in the oak and it produces a richer and more inviting end product.
Samaroli strives for “absolute individuality” in each bottling and nothing embodies that like the Samaroli Evolution 2013. Not just because it’s a unique blend of whiskies, but because it’s a blend of whiskies unique to Samaroli. They’re known for re-casking the whisky they buy into casks they think will work best with the spirit. They use everything from virgin-oak tobourbon, sherry, port, madeira or any of dozens of other cask types at their disposal. Whatever they think will bring out nuances and complimentary flavors to the whisky.
This process of mixing original casked and re-casked whiskies and adding water for over a year in order to create the Samaoli Evolution 2013 has resulted in a whisky that defines complexity and when you look at how they lay out exactly what’s in it, it also defines transparency. The final blend-bill is listed on the label, but since it’s hard to read in a photo I’ve listed the 2013 Samaroli Evolution blend-bill below.
5% of each
1957 Mortlach, 1959 Springbank, 1962 Springbank, 1964 Bruichladdich Sherry, 1965 Springbank, 1968 The Glenlivet Sherry
3.5% of each
1970 Laphroaig, 1971 The Glenlivet Sherry, 1971 Glen Garioch Sherry, 1973 Longrow, 1974 Longrow Sherry, 1974 Ardbeg, 1975 Glen Garioch, 1976 Ardbeg, 1977 Ardmore, 1977 Caol Ila, 1978 Talisker Sherry, 1979 Sprinkbank Sherry, 1979 Glen Grant Sherry, 1980 Highland Park, 1980 Macallan, 1981 Port Ellen, 1984 Mortlach, 1985 Springbank Sherry, 1985 Glen Grant, 1985 Bowmore, 1987 Longrow, 1987 Talisker, 1988 Lagavulin, 1989 Linkwood Sherry, 1989 Glenburgie, 1990 Highland Park, 1994 Milton Duff, 1994 Aberlour, 1997 Isle of Jura, 1997 Linkwood.
And now on to the Samaroli Evolution 2013 review. Cheers!
Samaroli Evolution 2013 Info
Region: Scotland
Distiller: Various
Bottler: Samaroli
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Various
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2011
Price: $350
Samaroli Evolution 2013 Review
EYE
Ruddy copper
NOSE
Dense, heavy and rich. Sherry sweetness, dried dark fruit (raisins, cherries, blueberries), nuts, malt, pastries, peat, graham, dark fruit compote, oak, toffee, citrus peels, baking spices and it goes on and on and on.
I went back to this whisky once a month for the last year and re-took notes each time. During that process it unfolded more each time and I also found notes of brine, vermouth, caramel, huckleberry, baklavah, vanilla, grassy hay, cocoa. I even had a note that just said “DAMN”.
TASTE
Dark and chewy layers of dark fruit, dark sweets, peat, sherry, malt, vanilla, citrus, orchard and tropical fruit, bit of wood, citrus peels, dark fruit compote, graham, nuts, menthol, sweet tobacco, leather, peppercorns. Like the nose I picked up additional notes over the last year. Notes like honey, vermouth, iodine, cocoa, brine, rich oak, toasted grains, grassy malt, hay and an alkaline minerality.
FINISH
Looooooong fade of sweet maltiness, peat, spice, sherry, nutty, fruit, wood and honey. Like the nose and palate I’ve picked up additional notes of vanilla, caramel, citrus, grassy hay, cocoa, sulfur and graham along the way.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Perfectly balanced with a full, rich, round body and a heavy, oily and coating feel.
OVERALL
Samaroli Evolution 2013 has a nose that defines complexity, a palate as deep as the Mariana Trench, a finish so sublime it’s awkward and a rich body that’s so perfectly balanced the bottle should be able to sit on the head of a pin.
That deep and balanced complexity put the 2013 Samaroli Evolution really close to getting a 98 and being the first A+ I’ve ever given out, but I held that back a bit because it continues to change each time I open it and pour a dram. This will be an exciting whisky to do the last glass re-review of and if it keeps unfolding and opening like it is I could be handing out my first A+ before the end of the year.
SCORE: 97/100 (A)
