Community Highlights: Meet Anthony Scalabrino of Oak City Amaretto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Scalabrino.

Hi Anthony, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Oak City Amaretto was created by Grandma Scalabrino (my grandma on my Father’s side) in the 1940s. I grew up having Grandma make a bottle for my Dad and Uncle John each Christmas. She would share this treat as a token of her love to Grandpa Scalabrino each morning before he went to work at the railroad. Grandpa was a golden glove boxer and all-state offensive lineman in high school. He passed up a scholarship opportunity to play football in college to take care of his family during/after the great depression. Eventually, I moved out of the house, went to the United States Naval Academy, and graduated as a pilot flying for 9.5 years in the Navy on the P-3C Orion. I attended a distillery tour at Raleigh Rum Company in Feb 2017. I fell in love with their rum. Something inside me told me to approach Matt (one of 3 owners) about making my Grandmothers amaretto recipe at their distillery. Through a small agreement, diligence, and hard work, we Launched Oak City Amaretto in May of 2017. We source all-natural and exceptional ingredients. We hit 5 years old this year and continue expanding across the state. We are launching a new bottle design and have partnered with a new distillery to produce our product at a larger scale while keeping up the quality and same ingredients.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not. The biggest hurdles to begin were all the legal and paperwork to become approved at a federal and state level. But even after that navigating the complexities of the controlled liquor state in NC of the ABC system. A product approved in the state doesn’t mean it’s automatically carried at ABC stores. We have 100 counties in NC and over 160 ABC boards, meaning many counties have more than one controlling board you need to convince to carry your product. The funny and insane thing is that they can’t even taste your product when deciding to bring it in or not. It’s almost like a dog chasing its tail. ABC boards want you to get people or bars/restaurants to order it, yet they can’t order it if the county board doesn’t carry it. Recently the struggles have been supplying chain shortages of products and ingredients. The main issue is with glass bottles. The prices have continued to increase quarterly and even monthly. If that, you could place an order for 6 pallets in advance but not get them for 8-9 months later. Planning takes on a whole new meaning.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a veteran-owned business. We source all-natural ingredients from American suppliers. We love being involved in the communities in which we operate.

This means we are:

• An active part of volunteering.
• Donating
• Just being a positive influence for social change.

We are one of a few American-made amarettos but, most importantly, the best-tasting because of our ability to source excellent ingredients and never compromise on our process. We have a smooth flavor that isn’t overwhelmingly alcoholic or too sweet. NC liquor buyers should know that by law, there is an NC section at every ABC store. If you don’t see our product next to the other liqueurs, you will most likely find us in the NC section. If a store or board doesn’t carry us, the most influential way to bring our product to your store is not for me to call but for you to ask for it (they may try to guilt you into a special order), and they legally have to order it.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Liquor seems to be a recession and pandemic “proof” business. We have been extremely grateful for our supporters of Oak City Amaretto. We haven’t been able to participate in many events, but we continue to sell our product which shows we have a loyal offering. We put in a lot of hard work but know that the community has supported us, and we are thankful!

Pricing:

• $28.95 per 750mL bottle

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oakcityamaretto.com
• Instagram: @oakcityamarettoco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakcityamaretto