If you always order cocktails at a bar, you’ve probably had Giffard in your glass. Giffard is a brand of liqueurs and syrups from France that’s distributed in the Philippines by partner Europ Continents Phils. Inc. For 20 years, Giffard has gathered the most creative bartenders from different countries to compete in the Giffard West Cup.
The first Giffard West Cup bartending selection round took place at Niner Ichi Nana Cocktail Bar on March 14, 2017. Ten bartenders from Manila showed off their skills in front of judges Giffard Asia Brand Developer TJ Antony, BevTools CEO Alvin Velasco, Giffard Asia-Pacfic Sales Manager Arthur Piffoux, and DrinkManila.com’s editor-in-chief Tatum Ancheta.
2016 Diageo Worldclass Philippines Champion Michael Keith Tubiera of Rambla emerged as the winner for the Philippines round. The seasoned Tubiera dazzled the judges with Sunny, a refreshing cocktail made with Ron Zarapa 23, Giffard Banana Liqueur, Giffard Vanilla syrup, passion fruit citrus sherbet, fresh lime juice, and homemade spiced pineapple soda. Runners-up were (first) Guillermo Natividad III from Bitters with his cocktail called Sining (Art) inspired by the art of mixology (made with 45 ml Rye Whiskey, 15 ml Giffard Banana Liqueur, 15 ml Bigallet China China, 20 ml Eggwhite, dash of Orange Bitters, and a spray of Bigallet Verveine (aromatic finish) and ABV’s (second) Angelica Suzzane Castro with her Butbut cocktail inspired by Whang-od Oggay, the Filipina tattoo artist from the Butbut tribe of Bugnay, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Special awards were given to Jeremy Ganalon from Niner Ichi Nana for Best in Creativity for his pink drink called Last Love delicately presented with dehydrated soupsop in a Champagne flute. Downtown and Halsted’s Eric Miro bagged the title for Best Barware Techniques with his impressive Downtown Brittle made with Giffard Banana Syrup, Giffard Lychee Liqueur, coffee bean, peanut butter, Hendricks Gin, Grappa Moscato, egg whites, and fresh lemon juice.
Tubiera will face off against bartenders from Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore for the Giffard West Cup Regionals Asia in Bangkok on the 22nd of May 2017, where Giffard CEO Bruno Giffard will fly in from France to join the judge panel.
The winner from the Regional leg will compete in the Global Final against 17 other bartenders from 14 countries in Angers, France.
