Proudly Homegrown: Enchanting Libations by Destileria Barako with The Liquido Maestro at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen

Destileria Barako and Kalel Ervin Demetrio aka The Liquid Maestro, lead the charge taking local Filipino spirits to the world stage with their artisan small batch creations. A follow-up feature to my previous post (see my earlier post, A Night Out in Monochrome, at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen), take a deeper dive at one of Poblacion's popular bars at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen. Read on for some refreshing libations with a local spin...

The Liquido Maestro has long been at the forefront of promoting distinctly local flavors and ingredients. Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen reflects this advocacy in its wide variety of offerings from both the bar and kitchen. Weaving local folklore and mythology to their creations, Destileria Barako and The Liquido Maestro recreates the Filipino identity with handcrafted concoctions and new artisan small batch spirits available at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen and online partner retailers.

Using indigenous local products from all over the country, the new line from Destileria Barako is a promising showcase of Filipino ingenuity and creativity. The very first Ube Cream Liqueur in the world, it's an innovative product that also reflects the country's finest local produce and character. 

And it all begins right here. The growing botanical library at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen provides the source and inspiration for the local flavors used in creating the artisan small batch spirits. Destileria Barako and The Liquid Maestro spin their own creative wizardry to churn out the local spirits.

Iconic symbols and other familiar elements of Filipino culture and folklore have always been part of the brand's thematic imagery, and this is seen even at the various hardware used in creating the special concoctions. It's connecting back to who we are that drives the creative process... 

...resulting in quite dramatic results. Like the Agimat Gin, representing our vibrant culture in a new gin expression made with a blend of indigenous botanicals including the fragrant ylang ylang and citrusy dalandan from Luzon, yutukon and libas fruit from Visayas and biasong and pink pomelo from Mindanao combined with other premium ingredients for a proudly homegrown brand. Inspired by the beaker, the bottle is Destileria Barako's way of highlighting their methodical approach in crafting their spirits. Look closer and you'll find ethnic Baybayin script adding an ornate element to the design. True to Agimat's theme, a diamond-shaped medallion completes the look.

Delicately nuanced notes of citrus and floral hints play on the palate with a smooth finish. It's an elegant gin with a proudly local vibe. Great as is or mixed in a cocktail, Agimat Gin is the perfect addition to your home bar. 

Made from Bacolod sugar cane, the Agimat at Ugat Vodka is another stellar product from the growing line of spirits of Destileria Barako. After three tedious distillations and four filtration processes through charcoal made from Mindoro coconut husks, it's an elegantly smooth vodka with refreshingly sharp notes for that soothing bite. Have a shot and give in to her captivating charm...

The Gayuma Lychee Lemongrass Liqueur Vodka is as flavorful as it is bright with its vivid hues. Made with an exotic blend of Southeast Asian lychee and lemongrass from Batangas, the Gayuma Lychee Lemongrass Liqueur Vodka has the Agimat at Ugat Vodka made from sugar cane as its base. The addition of lychee and lemongrass gives it layers of tempting sweetness...

...that's perfect straight and neat or mixed with cocktails. Aptly named, the Gayuma Lychee Lemongrass Liqueur Vodka is a potent and magical love potion and one smooth sip is all that's needed to be captivated under her spell. Let her tempt you with her indulgent sweetness, but keep your guard. She can hit back when you least expect it. Then again, that's the whole point right? 

And one more shot seals the deal. Sweet and elegantly smooth, the Gayuma Lychee Lemongrass Liqueur Vodka highlights the masterful weave of flavors Destileria Barako and The Liquido Maestro are known for. And they continue to amaze with their wicked alchemy...

The Italians have Amaretto, the Irish have Bailey's, the French have Cointreau and the Mexicans have Kahlua. Now we have the Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur that we can proudly call our very own. Thanks to Destileria Barako and The Liquid Maestro. 

With sugar cane vodka as its base, the Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur combines the richness of full cream with that most Filipino of all purple tubers, ube. The sweet purple spud has become quite popular worldwide due to its unique and photogenic color, but it's a secret that's been enjoyed locally for generations. Destileria Barako and The Liquido Maestro takes this unique Filipino gem and bottles it. 

Since its introduction early this year, the Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur is already making waves earning the prestigious Double Gold and the country's first Product Innovation recognition at the 2021 SIP Awards in California. The Liquido Maestro shows just how versatile the Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur is with a trio of cocktails...

...starting with the wittingly named PagUBEg sa Kanto, a smooth and decadent blend with Kanto Salted Caramel Vodka. 

After a few vigorous laps with the shaker, the sweet potion is then poured to rock glasses and served. 

The rich creamy notes and the deep, nutty sweetness of the Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur are perfectly tempered by the bold flavors of the Kanto Salted Caramel Vodka. One more sip and you'll fall in love with the PagUBEg sa Kanto.

Straight works fine as well. Enjoy it neat as a shooter with the deep nutty sweetness of ube draping the palate with a comforting hug. One more shot and the Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur clearly has you wrapped around her finger.

The innovative artisan small batch spirits by Destileria Barako is an impressive portfolio. And each round just warms the heart beaming with local pride. 

The Liquido Maestro prepares one more cocktail to cap a memorable evening at Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen, the UBEst I Ever Had with Malibu Rum and Maker's Mark Bourbon. 

The deceptively smooth blend lulls you as it seduces your palate with the sweet ube and the rum and bourbon combo. The creamy and silky smooth texture makes it light and easy on the palate, and that's where it can get tricky. 

But you just have to roll with it. The Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur is as elegant as a seductress in purple, and it's alluring appeal just calls you. Head over then to Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen and let The Liquido Maestro fix you up with some libation with a purple persuasion. You can also order the artisan small batch spirits online as well and shop through their retail partners like https://boozy.ph/, https://liquor.ph/ and https://www.lazada.com.ph/.

Local creativity and ingenuity, bottled and sealed with pride by Destileria Barako. It's one of those rare bright spots in a challenging and uncertain year, and about time too. Prepare to be enchanted with the artisan small batch spirits by Destileria Barako and The Liquido Maestro, and raise a toast to one of the country's finest...