Francesco Ramella

SMWS Country Manager & Ambassador for Italy

First whisky memory

I think the first time I came across whisky was when I was a kid and my grandad came home, after a long work trip in the US, with a couple of bottles of whisky. He probably bought them at the Duty Free. One was a Lagavulin 16 and the other a J&B. I remember that after dinner my grandad put some Lagavulin 16 in a teaspoon and let me try it…I found it disgusting!

Favourite whisky-drinking music

Probably a light rock like Fleetwood Mac and Dire Straits or some country-ish music like Tyler Childers, Cody Jinks and Colter Wall.

Best box sets

Harry Potter, no doubt!

Fantasy whisky tasting companions Drew Mayville, master blender at Buffalo Trace.

Most memorable dram It’s a recent one but I’m sure I will remember for the rest of my life. A dram of Kilchoman Machir Bay with my feet on the sand in Machir Bay. Gin clear water and blue sky!

Most used emoji 👍

Guilty pleasure Domino’s pizza in bed, for breakfast!

Dream destination I grew up watching A River Runs Through It. My dream is to go to Missoula, Montana in the US and fish the Blackfoot River.

Strangest food

Probably raw octopus, beaten against a rock, washed by its “foam” and then curled to make its tentacles more tender. Paired with an Oily & Coastal dram makes it better!

Favourite bar I’ve drunk in many places but probably the bar that will always have a place in my heart is Pogue Mahone’s in Milano. I have so many memories in that pub…good friends, Guinness, rock music and those freshly baked pretzels saving our life at the end of the night!

If you were a flavour profile, what would you be, and why? Probably Spicy & Sweet. I love the notes of fresh chopped wood, wet green grass and mulled wine with its spices! All of these remind me of the Alps.