The oldest distillery in the Philippines gave media personalities and guests a taste of their globally-acclaimed products by serving liqueur-infused, artisanal cuisine and cocktails during the company’s press conference for their World Liqueur Awards 2025 brand winners last August 11.
Ms. Olivia Limpe-Aw, president and CEO of Destileria Limtuaco & Co., and Mr. Aaron Limpe-Aw, executive vice president, announced the international awards recently garnered by the company in a series of talks and question and answer segments.
The company’s president expressed what these awards meant for her and for the company: “It is a validation that what we have done and what we have created are truly appreciated, not just by our fellow Filipinos, but also by other nationalities. The mainstream markets abroad give the best validation that what we did is good, and that brings pride not just to us, but to the whole country. I think that’s very, very important. Whatever we do, we always have not just our company’s reputation in mind, but also the country’s reputation.”
During her speech, the matriarch of the oldest distillery in the Philippines recounted the development of the company’s premium line of craft liqueurs—the Philippine Craft Spirits—when the company made history 25 years ago, with the launch of Paradise Mango Rum Liqueur. She was inspired by her business trips and on delegations with the late President Fidel V. Ramos, when importers and distributors often asked her about the uniquely Filipino products that the Philippines can offer.
Ms. Limpe-Aw thus set out on a mission to create premium liqueurs produced from locally-grown fruits and crops. After some trials and snags, the company gained momentum after releasing their own coffee liqueur, Amadeo Coffee Liqueur, followed by the launch of Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, with the guidance and support of both national and local government units in the Philippines. From there, the distillery produced other brands under the Philippine Craft Spirits line.
The question-and-answer segments were then followed by the party, where guests enjoyed the World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur, Intramuros Liqueur de Cacao; the Philippines’ Best Fruit Liqueur, Manille Liqueur de Calamansi; the country’s Best Coffee Liqueur, Amadeo Coffee Liqueur; and the Philippines’ Bronze Awardee for Vegan Alternative Category, the Cocohogo Coconut Cream Liqueur—all in a variety of dishes and cocktail mixes.
Aside from announcing their latest milestones, Mr. Aaron Limpe-Aw also launched Cocohogo, the latest in the Philippine Craft Spirits line.
“This year, we are trying to work more, leaning into our distilling expertise, and use these rums that we made in more exciting and value-added products,” said the sixth-generation master blender. He also expounded on the brand’s name: “‘Coco’ is coconut; ‘Hogo’ is actually a term used in the rum industry to describe the smell and aroma of pot still rum, so it’s quite funky, quite grassy.” He emphasized that the company wants to highlight the two major characteristics of this new liqueur, as both a coconut cream liqueur and a rum liqueur.
“One of the things that usually frustrates me is the accessibility of cocktail drinks,” he added. “You go to a bar, and the drinks are so complicated. But what if you want to drink at home? I wanted to create something that can help you make fun and interesting drinks at home.”
Today, these award-winning liqueurs are enjoyed not only in the Philippines, but also across the globe, due to Destileria Limtuaco’s growing export presence and distribution efforts. The Intramuros Liqueur de Cacao, Manille Liqueur de Dalandan, and Amadeo Coffee Liqueur are currently available in retail stores, including Kultura, Dutyfree, and The Marketplace, and can be ordered online through liquorexpress.ph, Shopee, and Lazada. The Cocohogo Coconut Cream Liqueur will be rolling out nationwide soon.
