American apéritif company Veso has launched Eclipse, a new experimental development arm designed to ‘push the boundaries’ on flavour, ingredients and process.
Eclipse has been created to test apéritif development at a rapid pace, and has launched with two flavours: Alpine, and Bitter Citrus.
Alpine was inspired by the versatility and complexity of London Dry gin. Juniper and its characteristic “piney-ness” play a starring role throughout, with the addition of fennel and coriander, notes of citrus, and a hint of lingering pepper.
Without the high-alcohol content of a spirit, the apéritif is said to be able to ‘let the delicate flavours shine through’.
Bitter Citrus, meanwhile, has been designed to ‘honour the big and bold flavours of traditional European amari’, while staying true to the wine apéritif form, using Californian ingredients.
Bitter Citrus is to be considered an ‘ode’ to the complexity and depth of a Nonino or a Campari, while remaining something original.
“Alpine and Citrus are really just the beginning of so much more to come from Eclipse,” said Chris Beyer, founder and CEO of Veso.
“We intend to roll out many innovative products throughout time with the goal to release new flavours on a rolling, recurring basis and iterate upon the most popular flavours, which will then become flagship staples within the wider Veso portfolio, all of which are being driven by customer and trade feedback.
“Our goal is to cultivate and grow a community of organic brand advocates that will help take Veso to the next level in the years ahead.”
Priced at RRP US$39 a bottle, the flavours are being launched with an initial run of 300 of each variant. They are available direct to consumer in the following US states: California, New York, Florida and Oregon, as well as Washington DC, with additional presence across select bars, restaurants and retailers in California.
Last month, honey-based bitter apéritif brand Beesou launched in the UK.