October 28, 2024, marks the momentous Battle of Highballs at Prohibition Lounge, starting at 6pm. Five talented bartenders are set to face off, each vying for the title of Dewar’s Highball Challenge 2024 champion. This year’s contenders feature an impressive lineup: Clyde Ferrer from Fat Cat PH in Makati, Christian Jude Basog from The Vault Room in Cebu, Bo De Noguerra from The Spirits Library in Makati, Vincent Amit from The Grasshopper Bar in Makati, and Justin Gabriel from The Nakd Bar in Pampanga. We’re excited to see these skilled bartenders battle it out to showcase their creativity and technique.
Before we witness the crowning of a new winner, let’s spotlight Shawn San Juan, the Dewar’s Highball Challenge 2023 champion. Shawn’s journey into bartending began during his college years when he was inspired by watching senior students behind the bar. This initial spark turned into a full-blown passion when he discovered The Spirits Library in Poblacion in 2019. There, he honed his craft and followed his dream of becoming a bartender.
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Reflecting on his triumph in the Dewar’s Highball Challenge, Shawn shares that winning was an exhilarating experience. “When I won the competition, I was so thrilled and grateful. The prize trip to Japan was also my first time out of the country, so I was very excited,” he shares. “Once we landed, it was a Journey of discovery for me. It was so much fun to learn about Japanese culture and the heritage of Dewars,” he adds.
His award-winning cocktails, Manileño and Probinsyana, are a testament to his life journey and the places that shaped him. “Probinsyana” speaks to his provincial roots, while “Manileño” captures his transition to the bustling life of Manila. These cocktails tell his story, a blend of his past and present poured into every glass.
For those looking to shake up their cocktail repertoire at home, Shawn has some friendly advice: Start simple with a good old Highball. Choose any spirit you love, but for him he recommends Dewars 12 as it makes a smooth highball. Top it off with soda water or mix things up with ginger ale or tonic. Garnish with a lemon zest for a citrus burst. It’s simple yet offers endless possibilities for flavor exploration.
As for this year’s Dewar’s Highball Challenge hopefuls, Shawn encourages them to “trust the process and remember that a cocktail is an extension of yourself. It’s your story in a glass.”
Want to support this year’s contenders? Head to Prohibition Lounge, 3F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati. The event starts at 6 pm. Event capacity is limited, so make sure to arrive early to secure a spot—it’s on a first-come, first-served basis.
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