Award-winning Filipino distillery Destileria Barako signed a national distribution deal with 7000 Islands Drinks for its cream liqueur Ube.

Destileria Barako was founded by Filipina Junalyn Alo and the Australians behind Capricorn Spiced Rum – Tyson Branz and Brendan Green, which won World’s Best Spiced Rum in 2018. They were then joined by the Philippines’ foremost mixologist and forager of local indigenous products, Kalel Demetrio.

At the height of the pandemic the Filipino distillery created the world’s first Ube spirit – crafted with sugarcane vodka from Negros, coconut husk from Mindinao and ube purple yam, which is grown across the Philippine islands.

Ube Cream Liqueur won Double Gold in the Cream Liquor category and the Product Innovation Award at the 2021 SIP Awards. It was also rated the World’s Best Cream Liqueur at the 2022 World Liqueur Awards. In 2023, Ube Cream Liqueur won Gold at San Francisco Spirits Competition; the Product Innovation Award and the highly coveted Platinum Award at SIP Awards.

Ube started to make headway into Australian cocktail bars, culinary restaurants and retail stores across Australia at the end of 2023.

7000 Islands said the Australian market distribution deal would solidified its partnership with Destileria Barako, which will include supply and logistics, trade marketing and customer relationships in Australia.

Liqueur flavour of the year

Filipino-Australian entrepreneur and 7000 Islands Founder Siegfrid Bacani said Ube is uniquely Filipino and incorporates four of the five flavour trends of summer (according to Diageo’s 2024 Flavour Forecast) – ‘Ube’ is Umami, Tropical, Treating and Bloom Harvest.

“I’m really excited about this partnership with Destileria Barako, as it showcases the craftmanship of the two countries I call home,” he said.

“Tyson, Brendan, Junalyn and Kalel are the perfect harmony of the tropical gastronomy of The Philippines and Australian craftsmanship.”

Destileria Barako Founder Tyson Branz said: “Destileria Barako is stoked to join 7000 Islands under the Finest of Filipino Craft banner. 7000 Islands got us from the beginning. Australia has outperformed our other export markets for it’s size, and been really creative in getting our products recognised in a short amount of time – overcoming the barriers to a premium priced liqueur offer.

“The team got us from the beginning. We have pretty massive goals for 2024. Essentially, our goal is to produce more sustainability, increase more export opportunities for our local farmer partners and. 7000 Islands with their ‘pound the pavement’ approach, has helped us level-up and crack it big time in even bigger markets overseas.”