Designed in Paris, produced in Trieste, iessi will be launched in November. Inspired by a family Italian recipe, this aperitif combines the bitterness of amaro with sweet citrus notes. It is made from plant extracts and natural infusions in the northeast of Italy.
The word iessi is borrowed from Friulian, dialect spoken in Friuli-Venezia Guilia, region of northeastern Italy located between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea. It means “to be, exist ". Iessi is made from plant extracts and natural infusions in a family distillery in Trieste. Its bitterness is the result of an aromatic mixture of cinchona bark., gentian root, bitter orange and rhubarb. Citrus notes, ginger and cherry combine with a peppery heat that develops with each sip. It is served very cold, accompanied by ice cubes, or in a cocktail.
A PERSONAL APPROACH
At the origin of iessi, the relationship of its founder to alcohol. Nicolas Maiarelli was born in Italy and raised in New York. Based in Paris since the age of 23, he was for three years the financial director of a start-up specializing in last mile delivery., before joining L’Oréal as financial controller. As his relationship with alcohol evolved, the idea of an alcohol-free aperitif began to germinate. He put his career at L’Oréal on hold to develop this alcohol-free aperitif. It will be available on the iessi website and on sale in certain stores.
