The Passing of Mr. Sammaroli

Silvano Sammaroli, the founder of Italian bottler Sammaroli and the man behind numerous legendary bottles, passed away recently. While he was well-known for having many passionate fans, Sammaroli's bottles held a special place in my heart as well. Upon searching my blog again for mentions of Sammaroli, I found nearly 60 articles—each filled with heartfelt enthusiasm that still feels overly verbose when I look back. While classic Italian bottlers like Intertwined, Settante, and Moon Import produced many beautifully seductive bottles, Sammaroli's had a unique presence. Particularly in the 1980s bottlings, I often felt they retained sufficient depth as a spirit without sacrificing maturation, while also possessing complexity and allure. Some bottles even grew more captivating with age post-bottling—how many times have I reflected on how fortunate I was to be a drinker during that era, savoring these bottles filled with unforgettable memories. There are countless stories to share about each bottle, but I have so much to say that I hope to gather fellow Sammaroli enthusiasts in the future to honor his memory. At the same time, while many passionate fans (including myself) eagerly seek details about past bottlings, Mr. Sammaroli himself was somewhat indifferent to past releases, not keeping bottles or records, which is regrettable but somehow understandable. Recently, he had left Sammaroli to establish a new company called 'MASAM,' and bottles marked 'NO AGE' have started arriving in Japan. I never imagined these would be his final works. I had hoped for many more remarkable releases, and as someone who wished to meet such a great figure someday, I'm deeply saddened. As the news came suddenly, I offered a toast with this bottle that I could drink at home. Glen Grant GLENGRANT 1969-1984 SAMAROLI 59% Indeed, an overwhelming presence of deliciousness. Thank you for all the wonderful emotions you've given us. Please rest in peace.