Tanduay Showcases Craftsmanship and Creativity in Winning Best Booth at Manila Gin Festival 2026

In a festival dedicated to gin, a rum brand stood out to win the Best Booth Premium Category award. Tanduay highlighted its craftsmanship and creativity to receive the recognition in its third year of participating in the Manila Gin Festival, a highly anticipated event for spirits enthusiasts.

“The festival attracts a knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd, making it the perfect place to showcase the range and versatility of our premium rum portfolio. Our main goal is to solidify Tanduay’s position as a premium rum brand. We want to show that we offer world-class products, proudly made in the Philippines,” said Romadel Pamfilo, Tanduay Special Projects Unit Head.

The festival booths were judged according to the following criteria: visual design and aesthetic appeal; customer engagement and interaction; cocktail menu and presentation; and overall experience and impression.

Tanduay designed a space that excelled in all categories. It offered beautifully crafted cocktails prepared by leading mixologists from AKA Day/Night Drinks, Rose Amor de Guzman on Day 1 and Jesus Pardillo on Day 2. Each curated four cocktails inspired by distinct themes: a Filipino-inspired creation, a tropical flavor profile, one of their signature cocktails, and a spirit-forward expression.

The cocktails featured Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, Especia Spiced Rum, and Tanduay Double Rum as base spirits, each chosen to highlight distinct flavor profiles and versatility. Visitors were also given the opportunity to sample the rums neat.

“Serving our rums as cocktails and neat allowed guests to experience the diverse characteristics, craftsmanship, and versatility of our rums,” Pamfilo said.

Visitors were also given a preview of two upcoming releases -- Tanduay Reserve Rum 10 Years and Tanduay Reserve Overproof. Currently available in select international markets, these expressions will soon be introduced in the Philippines.

Social Media Promos, Rum Tastings, and Exclusive Merch Freebies

To further engage visitors during the two-day event held at the BGC Amphitheater, Tanduay gave those who posted a story on Facebook or Instagram the chance to play a claw machine game to win exclusive Tanduay merchandise. Those who purchased two bottles of Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, or Especia Spiced Rum, meanwhile, received a Limited Edition Cobonpue Box. Guests who bought two bottles of Tanduay Double Rum received a Tanduay duffle bag.

Complimentary tastings of its award-winning Tanduay Asian Rum Gold, Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, Especia Spiced Rum, Tanduay Double Rum, Tanduay Reserve 10 Years, and Tanduay Reserve Overproof were met with overwhelmingly positive feedback as they were impressed by the rums’ smoothness, complexity, and balance.

According to Pamfilo, visitors were also surprised and excited to discover Tanduay’s premium and export-grade products. The tastings became an opportunity for Tanduay to sample and, at the same time position, the brand as a premium rum option.

Celebrating Rum from the Islas

Tanduay’s participation in Manila Gin Festival 2026 aligns with its broader goal of reinforcing its premium positioning both locally and internationally. It also reinforces “Rum from the Islas”, a campaign that aims to bring the story of the Philippines to the world.

“Creatively, the campaign celebrates both place and product. ‘Rum from the Islas’ encapsulates the beauty, warmth, and vibrancy of the Philippines, while reinforcing Tanduay’s craftsmanship and premium quality. It allows us to position our rum not just as a spirit, but as an expression of island heritage -- proudly Filipino, globally competitive, and deeply connected to its origins,” Pamfilo said.

The campaign highlights how sun, sea, soil, and tradition shape every bottle of Tanduay.

“The Philippines’ island geography plays a vital role in our rum-making process. The richness of our soil, the surrounding waters, and our tropical climate directly influence the cultivation of sugarcane, the heart of every bottle of Tanduay. The country’s natural temperature and humidity create ideal conditions for barrel aging, accelerating the development of complexity and depth in a way that is uniquely Filipino,” Pamfilo emphasized.