Met at Razzia

Andres Prieto - Former Banker, Now Gin Producer

The fact that Seefeld now boasts its very own gin is thanks to 30-year-old Colombian Andres Prieto. The former banker turned his passion for fine gin into a new venture. «Seefelder Gin» is locally produced and serves as a tribute to Andres’s adopted home. We spoke with the entrepreneur about his path to creating his own gin — and his favorite spots in Seefeld. Andres Prieto moved from Bogotá, Colombia, to Zurich at the age of 14. From there, his journey took off: a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science at the University of Toronto, followed by a respected position at JP Morgan. After six years in banking, he decided to leave the corporate world behind and enroll in the MBA program at Cambridge. Before starting his studies, he gave himself three months to follow his intuition - time that led him to rediscover an old idea: creating his own gin.

The result of months of experimenting and perfecting recipes is Gin No. 8, made from eight botanicals that together create a harmonious yet complex flavor. «From the start, I knew my gin should stand apart from the traditional, dry London gins», Andres explains. «Seefelder is best described as a Western Gin - defined by its citrus note and balanced character.»

The blend includes juniper, rosemary, orange peel for fruitiness, coriander, kaffir lime, angelica root, cassia bark, and cubeb berries for a subtle spice. It’s distilled the traditional way - in a copper pot. «So far, it’s been an exciting journey», he says. «But I’ve chosen to grow carefully. The company should evolve organically and stay true to its roots. Only that way can quality and tradition develop.» Starting in summer 2017, Seefelder Gin will be available in select Zurich bars, with brand collaborations already in the pipeline.



Seefelder Gin

When it comes to nightlife, Andres’s Seefeld favorites are clear: «For dinner, definitely my favorite restaurant, Miracle. The best drinks are at Razzia Bar, and my absolute summer highlight is Salt Cinema.»

Seefelder Gin comes at 45% vol, presented in a clear 500 ml bottle with a natural cork stopper, and is available online at www.seefeldgin.com.

April 2017