A Taste of Heritage with the 1834 Premium Distilled Gin

In its third year, the Manila Gin Festival continues to be a celebration of flavor and community with 1834 Premium Distilled Gin

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine,” is a line famously said by Rick Blaine in the movie Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart’s character may be talking about the unexpected sight of Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) in the film, but for Simone Côté and Errol Chua, founders of Manila Gin Festival, the scene at the BGC Amphitheater is far from coincidence.

Instead of a chance encounter, the two-day fête is a coming together of gin connoisseurs and curious newcomers alike to celebrate and build a community around their shared love for the spirit.

Now in its third year, Côté emphasized the event’s goal: make quality gin accessible. “We want to democratize gin drinking and create a space where people can explore different flavors without intimidation,” he shares. With picnic tables, communal seating, and an open-air setting, the Manila Gin Festival was designed to encourage mingling, whether over gin and tonic or a more adventurous cocktail.

One of the festival highlights was 1834 Premium Distilled Gin, a Filipino-made gin inspired by Manila’s history as a global trading hub infused with calamansi and sampaguita. Its booth, inspired by the 1920s Gatsby era, exudes vintage sensibilities with golden lantern lights and prominently displays its maroon and white colors from its wooden bar counter to its plinth featuring its awards from SIP Awards in 2024 and IWSC International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Photo courtesy of 1834 Premium Distilled Gin

Photo courtesy of 1834 Premium Distilled Gin

For Paolo Abrera, the best way to enjoy 1834 is simple: sipped neat to appreciate its layers of flavors. But for the occasion, the brand ambassador shares that gin and tonic is a go-to for a warm afternoon as we inch closer to summer. “There’s nothing like a classic gin and tonic packed with ice. It makes for a nice, long drink that you can savor slowly.”

At the event, the Filipino spirits brand introduced four signature cocktails: the classic 1834 Gin & Tonic; the Pearl of the Orient, a delicate balance of floral and botanical flavors with aloe vera juice, elderflower syrup, fresh lemon juice, and garnished with edible flowers; the crowd favorite 1834 Adobo Gin & Tonic, a blend of fresh calamansi juice, ginger and peppercorn syrup, and finished with drops of soy sauce and a burnt-dried bay leaf and; The Manila Sunset, a tropical cocktail made with pink guava juice, passion fruit syrup and fresh lemon juice.

Photo courtesy of Archangel Reserve Premium Dry Gin & 1834 Premium Distilled Gin.

From left to right, Simon Coté and Errol Chua, Manila Gin Festival Founders. Valentine Alindogan, Josephine Caldo and Gladys Enriquez – 1834 Premium Distilled Gin Brand Team. Photo courtesy of 1834 Premium Distilled Gin.

While the 1834 Premium Distilled Gin booth highlights Manila’s rich trade history, Archangel Reserve Premium Dry Gin offers a completely different experience. Housed in a striking emerald green and Art Deco-inspired “mini” speakeasy, its bold, herbaceous profile is carefully crafted through copper pot distillation featuring juniper berries and select botanicals for a crisp and complex taste.

As the festival wrapped up, 3-peat winner since 2023, 1834 Premium Distilled Gin took home first place for Most Popular Gin and second place for Best Booth in the Premium Category, meanwhile, Archangel Reserve Gin took second place for Most Popular Gin.