There are days when, just by breathing the lively air, you exude vitality. On Sunday, May 17th, the evocative setting of the Sassello Mill 1830, the first and gripping Mr. Camillo's Whisky Day. A memorable event that from now on will be repeated every third Sunday in May, alongside the tried and tested Moonshine Festival in September and which marked a historic milestone: the first, highly anticipated official release of their whisky.
As a journalist and director of Perfecto Magazine, I couldn't miss this debut. Our magazine, always at the forefront in telling the story of lifestyle excellence and slow smoking culture, wanted to witness firsthand a day in which time, craftsmanship, and respect for raw materials redefined the boundaries of conscious tasting.
Mr. Camillo's Goal: An Ancient Farro Whisky
The response from enthusiasts, curious people and locals was surprising, giving a sold out It's been fully booked for over a month now. The room was constantly crowded with attentive gazes, many of them at their first dram approached with real awareness. The host, Diego Assandri, led the conversation together with Claudio Riva of Whisky Club Italia and the Ligurian couple of Simons Whisky Lovers (Simone Sarchi moderating and sommelier Simone Parisi tasting), supported by extraordinary food pairings.
The absolute protagonist was the first release of the Whisky Mr. Camillo (100% ancient local spelt, 628 bottles of 50cl at 41.5% vol., already Gold Medal and Global Finalist at World Whiskies Awards of London 2026).
Diego Assandri fulfilled a dream that began in 2010, when he decided to add a distillery to the family's centuries-old mill, where natural stone millstones powered solely by water have been used for five generations.
Using an ancient grain like spelt, which costs up to ten times more than modern commodities and offers a third of the yield, requires a healthy folly. Consider that the fermented (the wash) reaches just 2-3% of alcohol. The result is a distillate of enormous organoleptic finesse, aged in French oak barrels from the prized Allier Gamba Winery, which offers an oily, enveloping palate, rich with notes of pear in syrup, custard, and spices such as cloves. A dram that breaks with traditional didactics, where the raw ingredients once again take center stage.
The Cigar Corner: The Slow-Smoking Lounge at Tabaccheria Gorini
To appropriately celebrate such a rich, complex, and earthly spirit, the Whisky Day experience was enriched with an exceptional "slow smoking lounge." Alongside spirit tastings, guests were able to discover a signature cigar corner curated down to the smallest detail by the historic Gorini Tobacconist in Genoa, a true point of reference for the aficionados of Liguria.
The expert was there to support the Gorini tobacconist Cosimo Attanasi. The synergy between the expertise of the Genoese tobacconist and the experience of Attanasi has allowed us to illustrate and promote three excellent brands distributed by Diadema, perfect for creating a perfect combination with the nuances of spelt whisky:
- VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Short Belicoso: A brand with a historic and decisive character. With its strength and the aromatic complexity of its dark label, it's ideal for those seeking a robust body that pairs well with more structured spirits.
- Henry Clay Corona: coming from Honduras, they offer a smooth, rounded smoke characterised by creamy notes, ideal for accompanying the oily and fruity texture of the new whisky.
- Capitol Jack: A premium brand entirely handcrafted in Estelí, Nicaragua. Elegant, contemporary, and complexly evolved, it has captivated the most discerning palates with its rich, balanced aromas.
The concept of time regained
Seeing the world of great artisanal spirits intersect with the culture of signature tobacco is the very essence of what we promote on Perfecto Magazine. When a whisky doesn't seek maximum industrial yield but the soul of ancient grain and combines with the wisdom of realities like Tabaccheria Gorini, the act of drinking and smoking transforms into a moment of pure cultural sharing.
A special thanks goes to Diego Assandri, to Whisky Club Italia and to all the professionals who made this first Whisky Day an extraordinary precedent.
Photo credit: Nicola Di Nunzio
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