Tarsier Spirit co-founder named Beverage Innovator of the Year
Sherwin Acebuche, co-founder of Tarsier Southeast Asian Spirit, was awarded the title of Beverage Innovator of the Year at the Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards 2025.
The Be Inclusive Hospitality Spotlight Awards honour individuals who are driving positive change and innovation within the UK hospitality industry.
At the 2025 awards, Acebuche was honoured with the title of Beverage Innovator of the Year. The award recognises a visionary professional in the drinks industry who is pushing boundaries and shaping the future of beverages through creativity and bold ideas.
Acebuche co-founded Tarsier Spirit to celebrate his Southeast Asian heritage by distilling botanicals from the region and introducing unique flavour profiles to the premium spirits category.
Beyond the spirit, Acebuche is said to have emerged as a prominent advocate for representation and inclusivity. He challenges the industry to diversify back bars and cocktail menus to reflect the variety of customers they serve.
Acebuche is described as a passionate advocate for cultural awareness in the beverage industry. He frequently highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Filipinos to global bar culture, including celebrating the early innovators of Tiki in mid-century America and exploring the exchange of distillation techniques between the Philippines and Mexico, which dates back to the 1600s.
In his acceptance speech, Acebuche urged the industry to initiate meaningful changes: “If you want your culture represented in the drinks space, if you want people who look like you to be seen in the drinks space, then list brands that represent you and your values. Change starts in this room. For every bottle sold, our dream of being seen gets a little bit closer.”
Tarsier launched its new jungle-inspired bottle at this year’s BCB.
Earlier this year, the brand partnered with Chimera in the UK and expanded its distribution to Canada for the first time.
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