Destileria Limtuaco sees potential in international craft spirit market

An increase in overseas demand for specialty spirits could mean big business for Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc., which sees growth potential in craft spirits.

 

"Abroad, that's the trend now, craft spirits. Craft spirits are produced in small batches, entailing more effort and more care in the making. That's what people like right now. So there is an opportunity for medium-sized companies like us," Destileria Limtuaco president Olivia Limpe-Aw said. 

 

The company recently launched Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, a limoncello-like drink sourced from calamansi rinds. It is currently available at Landmark, Family Mart, and Waltermart branches as well as Kultura Filipino and Duty Free stores. Wider nationwide distribution is expected soon.

 

"The product is very encouraging, it has a lot of potential," Limpe-Aw said. 

 

Aside from Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, Destileria Limtuaco also makes Paradise Mango Liqueur and Amadeo Coffee Liqueur, both of which are already being sold in the US. 

 

"We use international methods of making spirits but using Filipino ingredients. So for mainstream markets (overseas) they find this exciting because they do not have these ingredients and yet these are produced according to their quality standards so they are happy to purchase products like that," she said.

 

The company is also developing a commercial basi, or sugarcane wine, brand.

 

"We are still working on the basi. We're tweaking the formulation. Rice wine would also be nice but it would go against food security," Limpe-Aw said. — JDS, GMA News