Il Mallo

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Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Maranello, Modena Hills
People: Giovanna Freno & Roberta Pirronello, Owners

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According to importer Oliver McCrum, “The best place for nocino, I have since discovered, is Modena, and the best Nocino I’ve had is made by a company called Il Mallo, in Maranello.”

Founded in 1984 by Stefano Freno in the hills of Maranello, Il Mallo was born from a desire to spotlight a liqueur that, for the people of Modena, is more than just a digestif—it is the very symbol of hospitality. Known as Nocino di Modena, this rich, spiced walnut liqueur is a deeply rooted regional tradition.

Today, Il Mallo is helmed by Stefano’s daughter Giovanna and granddaughter Roberta, who continue to champion the family’s original recipe while experimenting with new infusions that reflect evolving tastes. Their work is guided by a deep connection to the region and a commitment to quality, transparency, and conviviality.

The name Il Mallo refers to the “husk” or the vibrant green outer shell of the walnut, and the foundation of every bottle. True Nocino begins with the harvest of unripe walnuts, traditionally picked around the feast day of St. John the Baptist on June 24th, when the husks are still soft enough to slice by hand. These green walnuts are packed with essential oils, vitamins, and aromatic compounds.

At Il Mallo, the walnuts are thinly sliced and then macerate in near-pure agricultural alcohol for about a year. The walnuts are pressed (every drop is used) and blended with a separately steeped mix of clove, coriander, true cinnamon, and a modest dose of sugar. Il Mallo uses about 20% less sugar than the maximum allowed for official Nocino di Modena. After nine additional months of aging, the liqueur is bottled.

As with any liqueur that is predominantly are made of a single ingredient, the quality of that ingredient is very important. Giovanna and Roberta have longstanding relationships with walnut growers in Emilia (and some in Campania around Avellino). The result is a pure expression of place and tradition: dark, aromatic, and velvety, with complexity from spice and the unmistakable depth of green walnut.

In a world of increasingly homogenized liqueurs, Il Mallo stands out as a rare example of artisanal integrity—a benchmark Nocino that remains deeply tied to its Modenese roots.