Amaro Aficionado has given See the Elephant Amaro di Rucola 95 points. Robert Cross published the tasting review on October 18, and the publication says no brand pays for a score or placement. Read the full review.
Cross starts where most first-time drinkers do: surprised that an amaro made from arugula smells nothing like salad. Bubblegum and banana come first. Root beer and caramel fill out a thick, sweet palate, then the arugula arrives mid-sip as a peppery snap, with dark chocolate waiting at the very end.
His verdict on who it's for: "a gateway for anyone who finds Fernet punishing." We've called it a gateway amaro for a while. It means more coming from a critic.
He also had kind words for Cody Gunningham's label art, which looks nothing like a traditional Italian amaro label. Cody will be glad to hear it.
The full story is in the encyclopedia
The score is only part of the coverage. Amaro Aficionado also gave us a full entry in its Encyclopedia of Amaro, and it's worth your time if you want to know what's behind the bottle:
Why amaro di rucola is a real Campanian tradition that rarely leaves Italy
How arugula and a homemade sugar-beet caramel shape the flavor
How Agropoli and the Cilento Coast shaped the recipe, and where our name comes from
A flavor chart, five ways to serve it, and answers to common questions
Read the full See the Elephant encyclopedia entry.
In good company
The 95 joins a Double Gold and 96 points at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, 4.5 stars from Simon Difford, a place on Brad Thomas Parsons' list of essential new-school amari in Punch, and a recent "green flag" from VinePair.
Thanks to Robert and the Amaro Aficionado team for taking such a close look.
Go see for yourself
A score can't taste it for you. You won't know until you go.
Cross suggests pouring it over one big cube with an orange twist, or using it in place of vermouth in a Black Manhattan. We're partial to that second one: stir 2 oz rye, 1 oz See the Elephant, and dashes of Angostura and orange bitters with ice, then strain.
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