Out of the sugarcane farmlands of the Philippines, an iconic rum brand was born that would bring Filipino pride to the world. As Tanduay celebrates its 8th consecutive ranking as the World’s Number 1 Rum & Rum Brand Champion 2024, it’s a good time to look back at how this once small distillery in old Manila became a widely recognized brand with numerous awards to its name.
“At Tanduay, we take great pride in our history. Our success was built on generations of craftsmanship. As we continue to expand globally and develop more products for our consumers, we remain committed to the values and traditions that have guided us for more than 100 years,” said Tanduay Chief Operating Officer Kyle Tan.
The Start of a Legacy
Tanduay traces its roots to the Spanish colonial period, when it was originally known as Ron de Destilerías en Hagonoy y Tanduay (Rum from the Distilleries of Hagonoy and Tanduay). Its earliest beginnings can be found in a small shop in Hagonoy, Bulacan, the Destilería de Hagonoy owned by Elías Menchacatorre. He later sold the distillery to Valentin Teus, a master spirit blender who would then merge it with Destilería de Ynchausti y Compañía.
Founded in 1854, Ynchausti y Compañía had a variety of businesses that included inter-island shipping, the manufacturing of Manila hemp and abaca, plantations, construction, banking, and capital lending. It is from its distillery where the Tanduay that we know of today would come into being.
By 1862, the distillery would occupy a large piece of land by the waterfront of Isla de Tanduay in Manila. Located at Calle Tanduay, it had the largest capacity of any distillery in the Far East during its time, with its furnace rising over a sprawling complex of warehouses overlooking the Pasig River.
Perfecting the Craft of Rum-Making
Following the end of World War II, Faustino J. Munarriz, a chemical engineer became Tanduay’s longest-serving master blender. It was his scientific precision that helped preserve traditional methods while introducing innovations in quality control and product development. It was during his time that the now-iconic Tanduay Rhum Dark Five Years and the ESQ line were born.
“We also take pride in our master blenders, as they are the gatekeepers of the rum-making tradition that defines our legacy. They are the ones who ensure that our rums remain consistent with what makes Tanduay a world-class brand,” noted Tan.
As the company expanded, its product offerings also grew. Its current portfolio includes premium rums, flavored rums, cocktails, whiskies, and gins. It also offers collector’s editions.
Honoring Heritage, Embracing the Future
Today, Tanduay is enjoyed not just in the Philippines but in in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United States, and United Kingdom as well. It has taken its rightful place on the world stage.
From its modest origins, Tanduay continues to represent the best of the Philippines in every bottle.
“As we look forward to more years of growth, we continue to stay rooted to the Filipino values of resilience and perseverance. We share this journey with our kababayans, proudly representing our heritage to the world,” said Tan.
