‘Samoa Whiskey’ - more options for visitors and locals alike

PRODUCT OF SAMOA: Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi with a bottle of Samoa Whiskey. Photo / Government.

Visitors and whiskey lovers can now look forward to sampling a premium product made in beautiful Samoa.

Developed by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS), they are in the final stages of discussions and preparations for presentation of the end product to the country’s much needed private sector.

Typically derived from barley, Samoa’s whiskey is made from the country’s most abundant crop of taro. Prime Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Fatialofa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has given the green light to this new invention.

With one of the first bottles given to Cabinet as a sample, the local whiskey has received a great review from Prime Minister himself.

“This is great whiskey and it reaffirms SROS ingenuity to use our agricultural produce such as taro to process whiskey which is a bonus for taro farmers and growers,” said Tuilaepa.

“I encourage them to continue to deliver and come up with more added value products for exports and our local market and most importantly to use our local agricultural produces.”

Tuilaepa said the government has not been blinded by the strict overseas quarantine regulations.

But he is confident that SROS is the local solution. “Can I have some more (Samoa) whiskey? That’s a very catchy phrase you think?” he said.

“And who knows, the possibilities for more liquor such as Samoan Rum using our own agricultural produce as main ingredients are endless.”

SROS is targeting the international airport duty free as their initial export market and Tuilaepa has challenged the business community to develop partnership with SROS by investing in the new added value products.

“Government has done its part – through S.R.O.S. – by developing these products,” he said.

“We now need private businesses to come in and commercialize the flour, the oil, the subsequent butter and margarine from local crop staples.”

The official launching is scheduled for some time this year.