Full Circle Craft Distillers takes Philippine gin to US

Philippines-based Full Circle Craft Distillers Co has rolled out its Archipelago gin brand in the US and is working on its first rum.

Family-owned Full Circle Craft Distillers Co exports its Archipelago range to more than 15 international markets, including the UK, EU and Asia, with more territories joining each month.

Its launch in the US through Preiss Imports is said to be a first for a spirits brand from the Philippines.

In Asia Pacific, Archipelago is available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia.

The company is ‘actively’ looking for importer and distributor partners in new global markets.

Full Circle is also working on an agricole-style rum, using a ‘long-lost’ heirloom sugarcane variety that has not been grown commercially in the Philippines for more than a century.

Full Circle was co-founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Matthew and Laurie Westfall on the foothills of Mount Makiling in Calamba, Laguna.

Archipelago claims to be the top-selling local craft spirit brand in the Philippines, where it can be found on the menus of leading five-star hotels, resorts, bars and restaurants.

It is also the biggest-selling local craft spirits brand in Philippines duty free, the producer said.

The Archipelago (Arc for short) range includes Botanical Gin, Barrel Reserve Gin, Black Bamboo Gin, Navy Strength Gin, and Lava Rock Vodka.

“Every Archipelago spirit is crafted with precision using the finest, locally sourced ingredients,” said Matthew Westfall, head distiller.

“We source these botanicals from across our archipelago, from upland farms in the mighty cordilleras in northern Luzon to family plantations in Mindanao.

“Our aim is to showcase the wondrous array of exotic tropical botanicals that we source from small-scale farmers and share an exquisite taste of the Philippines.”

Archipelago recently walked away with two Master medals and three Golds in this year’s Asian Spirits Masters competition.