Meet Samppa from Finland, The Journey's finalist
1- Tell us about yourselves and where you work
My name is Samppa Kangasjärvelä, 27-year old guy from Finland. Born and raised in Kouvola and currently working in a speakeasy bar called Trillby & Chadwick.
2- Who do you look up to in the drink industry?
Everyone in industry, who is doing their own kind if things and is willing to but their heart and soul to that.
3- What are you doing when you are not behind the bar?
I try to see my friends as much as possible and do all kinds of things with them. Music and travelling is very big deal to me as well.
4- Tell us briefly about the idea behind your Linie cocktail
The idea behind my cocktail comes from Japan, all the herbs and flowers Japanese are using in the kitchen. The name of the cocktail comes from a Japanese girl name “Chisaki“, which means thousand blossoms.
5- When was your first meeting with Linie aquavit? Tell us about it.
First meeting with this beverage was about five years ago, when I first competed in a local Linie competition. I immediately fell in love with aquavit and have been mixing things with it since then.
6- What do you like about mixing cocktails with Linie aquavit?
The flavour profile is similar to gin, but it has more intense notes in it.
7- Why did you join Linie – The Journey competition?
I've always been quite interested about aquavit and thought of making my own gives me shivers, when thinking about it.
8- What is your next project after the competition?
We are releasing new cocktail menu in my work place, so all the spare time goes to that.
9- Without giving anything away, what is going to impress to judges during the final?
The idea of using uncommon herbs and seaweed in the cocktail.
Let's see what happens!
Thanks for answering our questions, and good luck !
