Why Samaroli Whiskies Keep Topping the World’s Most Exclusive Lists

Samaroli’s dominance in Whiskybase's top whiskies showcases its unmatched legacy of crafting rare, world-class bottlings cherished by collectors.
Like Conversation

The Whiskybase top one thousand contains the world’s most mythical bottles as voted for by the Whiskybase community. Just to feature in the top one thousand, a whisky will currently need a score of at least 92.3 out of 100 which is remarkable in itself. In an astonishing feat, the four of the top five whiskies on Whiskybase all hail from the iconic Italian independent bottler, Samaroli. 

Before we start our journey let us explore a bit more about the legendary independent bottler, Samaroli. I sat down with Daniele Liberati, Global Brand Manager for Samaroli, to find out a bit more about the history of the brand.

Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.

By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Beginnings of Samaroli

Spirits Sourcery: So Daniele, I am really interested in finding out about is how the brand started. Can you take us back to the beginning?

Daniele: Well, after the end of the Second World War Italy enjoyed an economic restart. You could call it something of a boom. The middle class noticed they had more money in their pockets. Before this, Italy was very insular only buying domestically produced products, and people were reliant on local agriculture.

Spirits Sourcery: You can hardly blame them seeing there is such an abundance of quality food and wine!

Daniele: Yes, we are spoilt! But people aspired. There clearly was not the internet but the ability to travel and access new places became easier. Italians tried new things. The palate of the middle class was changing, and they wanted imported goods of the finest quality.

Spirits Sourcery: So, this was the same for whisky?

Daniele: Very much so. In the 1950s and 60s, the market was dominated by the big names like Chivas. Silvano Samaroli, the founder of Samaroli, could see the food and drink landscape changing and knew there must be something more sophisticated in Scotland for his discerning customer base. He was one of the pioneers of the Italian whisky movement. His ability to speak English helped him ingratiate himself with the distilleries and brand owners in Scotland.

Whisky Selection

Spirits Sourcery: What did the process look like to select a cask or the liquid? Nowadays, we could have a Zoom call and have samples in hand the next day. It must have been quite a protracted process.

Daniele: Absolutely. You were reliant on the postal service going back and forwards. So, there could be months from the liquid being tasted to everything being signed off for bottling. It was this type of perseverance that led to Italy becoming one of the world’s most important whisky markets. The Macallan 7 Year Old is a case in point, created specifically for the Italian market.

Spirits Sourcery: I heard a story about why Glen Grant was so popular in Italy. Something about the flavor profile, right?

Daniele: Haha. Yes, when I visited the distillery the tour guide told me how in 1971 Glen Grant moved to a non-peated style due to pressure from the Italian consumer. The interest in trying something new remained unabated, but the consumer was used to rounder fruit flavors due to their consumption of Italian brandies and eau de vie. There is a reason the Campari Group owns Glen Grant – It is engrained into Italian food and drink folklore. It took a long time for richer peated malts to take off in Italy and in the 80s selling Port Ellen or Ardbeg was tough. Some of Samaroli’s peated bottlings would have appealed to quite a niche demographic back in the day.

The Bleve Family 

Spirits Sourcery: So, as well as having a formidable palate, Mr Samaroli was also a very shrewd businessman. How does this translate into the current owners of Samaroli, The Bleve family?

Anacleto Bleve moved from Puglia in the south of Italy to Rome in the 1960s. He opened one of the first wine bars where you could buy by the glass. It offered international produce, cheeses from France, and top olive oils. The mission was to bring the best quality products to the consumer. Mr Samaroli and Anacleto were both focused in the same areas and unsurprisingly Anacleto became Mr Samaroli’s best customer. They worked together like a marriage. Mr Samaroli would import private whisky bottlings specifically for Anacleto’s bar and his customers could try the best Scotland had to offer.

Spirits Sourcery: The fact they worked so closely and well together is part of the reason the brand continues to release exceptional whisky, right?

Daniele: Correct. So, at the turn of the century, Mr. Samaroli realized that he needed a succession plan as there was little interest in his family to continue to operate the brand. Mr Samaroli approached Anacleto to discuss what to do with the business. They hatched a plan. Anacleto suggested to Mr Samaroli that his son Antonio should become his understudy for five years, learning from the master. When Mr Samaroli felt that the time was right, he would sell the business to the Bleve family, and he would pass the reigns to Antonio.

Spirits Sourcery: Very smart. So, it kept things seamless.

Daniele: 100%. That is why the vision and philosophy have never changed. It was thanks to this passage of time that the brand ideals remain as they always were. We are all immensely proud at Samaroli to deliver this ethos every day and in every new release. Antonio continues to be at the helm of the business running it for the Bleve family. Our recently released Magnifico Series is something of a testament to the past where we celebrate antiquity intertwined with the passion for the present. We are delighted that Samaroli whiskies are revered by the community so highly.

Spirits Sourcery: Thanks so much, Daniele. That has really set the scene, and I am sure there are things that people never knew…me included!

With a clearer understanding of the brand, let’s dive straight into the countdown, starting with number five on our list of the best whiskies ever.

Whiskybase Top 5 Whiskies Of All Time

Strathisla 1967 Samaroli

Credit: Whisky Auctioneer

Coming in with a whopping score of 95.61 out of 100 and bottled at a mighty 57%, just 360 bottles were produced. 

Strathisla is better known as one of the constituent parts of Chivas blends, with few distillery bottlings. It spent less than twenty years in sherry wood before being bottled for Silvano Samaroli. 

This must have one of the highest quality-to-price ratios of any whisky. Taste is clearly subjective but being able to buy what is regarded as the fifth best whisky ever for £5,000 must be considered a bargain!

Bowmore 1964 Fino Cask 

Credit: Whiskybase

This gem formed part of the Bowmore trilogy series alongside the 1964 oloroso and bourbon casks. Just three hundred bottles were made. Bottled in 2002 at 49.6%. 

Coming in at number four this is the only non-Samaroli in our top five. 1964 seemed to be a golden year for Bowmore with nothing but praise for everything they produced in this vintage.

Bowmore 1996 Samaroli Bouquet

In third place is one of the most recognizable whiskies ever made and is considered by many as the greatest Bowmore of all time. 720 bottles were produced at a healthy 53%, each being uniquely numbered. 

The label was designed by Silvano Samaroli himself which adds the cache that surrounds this monument. Sadly, I have never had the opportunity to try it, although those who have, often quote it as the best whisky ever produced. 

Laphroaig 1970 Osteria Apostoli

Credit: Whisky Auctioneer

This whisky has slowly worked its way into second spot over the past couple of years. Not to be confused with another legendary Laphroaig by Samaroli – The 1970 distillery drawing label. 

This bottling was allocated specifically for Osteria Apostoli, a Restaurant in Milan. This is one of a series created alongside Bowmore, Mortlach, and The Macallan. 

Prices have had a real correction in the last eighteen months, and you can now pick one up via online auctions at half their peak. Imagine what is rated as the second-best whisky of all time for half the price of The Macallan red collection 40YO…

Drum roll, please…

Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli

Credit: Whisky Auctioneer

This whisky regularly vies with Bowmore 1966 as to who takes the top spot. Currently rated as number one, Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli is distinguished for a number of reasons. Bottled at fifteen years old at a cask strength of 57%, just 720 bottles were produced. 

Those with a keen eye will notice the spelling mistakes on the label which makes it even more endearing! The market is off its peak, but good condition bottles still command a premium but then you are paying for what some call perfection.

At Spirits Sourcery I am delighted to be able to offer two of the bottles on this list, the Bowmore 1966 Samaroli Bouquet and the Bowmore 1964 Fino cask at favorable pricing alongside dozens of other older Samaroli’s from Silvano’s reign. Please contact me at [email protected].

Ben Odgers

Ben Odgers has 25 years of experience in the drinks industry, with senior roles across the UK and Middle East, including launching a Macallan boutique in Dubai. In 2024, he founded Spirits Sourcery, a Spain-based venture specializing in rare wines and spirits, and contributes to multiple publications across Europe, offering an unparalleled drinks expertise.

All Posts
Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews