Nick Scarff is the Master Blender and VP of Business Development at Next Century Spirits. Established in Raleigh, NC in 2018, Next Century Spirits blends together traditional techniques and unique finishing technologies to create enhanced distilled spirits. Our patented post distillation filtering and finishing technology creates a tool for the traditional distiller to expand their repertoire of achievable flavors and aromas while improving quality, maintaining consistency, and reducing supply chain issues. This technology allows for tight control over the entire production process, resulting in the ability to create bold and unique flavor customization options for brands to choose from in order to expand product portfolios and fulfill market needs.

Today's guest is Kyle Harder of See The Elephant Amaro.

What does “see the elephant” mean? Where did that name come from?
See the Elephant Amaro di Rucola stands out as a particularly unique and delicious amaro with a story as interesting as it’s name. So what does "See the Elephant" mean, and where did the name come from?
The Meaning Behind the Name
Going to "See the Elephant" is an idiom that harkens back to the early 1800’s. At the time, people from all over were traveling to New York City to go see the very first elephant. Across the United States newspapers were printing the phrase “see the elephant,” which led to it’s popularity. It has since become a turn of phrase used whenever you go out into the world to see something with your own eyes - you just have to see it to believe it. 
In those days, seeing an elephant was a rare and exciting experience, often associated with travel to far-off lands and encountering the unknown.  The phrase came to represent embracing adventure, seeking new experiences, and broadening one's horizons. See the Elephant Amaro embodies this spirit perfectly. It encourages us to explore the diverse world of flavors, to step outside our comfort zones and discover something new.

Tasting Notes

Amaro, Italian for “bitter”, broadly refers to a class of Italian aromatic, herbal, or bittersweet liqueurs typically served as an after-meal digestif.
Arugula: The Heart of the Matter
See the Elephant Amaro distinguishes itself with its key ingredient: arugula. While most amari rely on a base of herbs, spices, citrus peels and roots, See the Elephant takes a bold approach using arugula to make our amaro.  The result is a flavor profile that's both familiar and surprising.
Locally Sourced Ingredients: Quality Matters
See the Elephant is produced in Agropoli, Italy along the Cilento Coast in Southern Italy, a region renowned for its natural beauty and rich culinary traditions.  Specifically, the ingredients are sourced from Parco Nazionale del Cilento which makes See the Elephant a “zero kilometer” produced amaro or “farm to bottle.” It is a beautiful region that includes the Vallo di Diano, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The region is in the broader region of Campania, which is where the majority of the lettuce used in Italy is grown.  This is why See the Elephant utilizes arugula in the amaro - use what grows locally!
Time Tested Process: Third Generation Family Owned & Produced in Italy
Fortunately, arugula grows in the region for 11 months of the year, which allows us to make See the Elephant Amaro nearly year round.  Each batch, while slightly different has the same taste due to the time tested process three generations in the making.  The arugula rests on a grain neutral spirit for 2 to 3 weeks, while a few other family secret herbs and spices are included in the amaro.  The result is a wonderfully complex and beautifully unique taste that can only come from amaro di rucola, See the Elephant.
Tasting Notes: A Journey for the Senses

• Bittersweet Harmony: Expect a balanced bitterness, not overly aggressive, complemented by a subtle sweetness.
• Nostalgic Sweetness: Reminiscent of bubble gum, eggnog, cotton candy, root beer and bitter cola.
• Peppery Arugula: The distinctive peppery bite of arugula shines through, adding a unique

• Bee’s Knees: A gin-based cocktail with lemon, yuzu, honey, and lavender.
• Gold Rush: A bourbon cocktail featuring honey and lemon.
• Firefly: A vodka cocktail infused with cucumber, elderflower, lime, and habanero.

Each 375 ml bottle contains four servings and is designed to provide a bar-quality experience at home. 

Mara Smith, a former attorney, had no industry experience when she started wondering if the clean spirit she and her girlfriends enjoyed could be reimagined from a female perspective. She committed herself to a singular mission – to create a new tequila brand that honored the traditional spirit while innovating to reveal a fresh, new offering.

https://inspirotequila.com/

Most Awarded

For 9 years running, HDC has won more awards than any other craft distillery in North America by the American Distilling Institute.

Innovation & Adaptation

HDC's signature innovative membership programs Cask Club®, My Batch® and Spirits Club® encourage our customers to become part of the HDC family. At the same time, our team is constantly innovating products, programs and processes.

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Robert Haynes is the co-founder and creative force driving the Gold Fashioned, the world’s most uncompromising ready-to-drink cocktail.

Over the years, he’s been behind the stick at some of Chicago’s most innovative cocktail programs, spinning tens of thousands of Old Fashioneds before transitioning to the production side - distilling and blending over 75,000 gallons of spirits and liqueurs. Now, here at Sunday’s Finest, he’s creating his best cocktails yet.

In 2020, witnessing the rise of packaged cocktails, Robert saw an opportunity to bring impeccable sourcing and bar-quality hospitality to the bottled cocktail arena. Selfishly, he also wanted to make something he’d be damn proud to pour for his friends and family. The result was the Gold Fashioned 2021 Blend - pushing the envelope yet again and crafting cocktails with top-notch ingredients and masterful execution for wherever suits you best. The best part? This is just the beginning.