Destileria Limtuanco Museum

Whether there's reason to celebrate or mourn, a drink is always something that's called for.

- Jewel Sta. Ana

Socializing here and around the world just isn't the same without a little alcohol. We as a country take pride in having world-class beer and spirits, and there isn't a place to better feel this than the Limtuaco Museum, inside the historic walls of Intramuros.

Housed in a bahay na bato, The Destileria Limtuaco museum chronicles over 100 years of its presence in the Philippines, and was once only open for family and friends of the Lim clan—the founders of the eponymous distillery. The two-storey house was acquired by one of its forefathers, Julius Limpe in the late 70's with the intention of putting all the company artifacts and some of their family heirlooms in one place. It has just recently welcomed the general public, adding it in the list of worthwhile places to visit around the walled city.

A traditional sugarcane press called a dadapilan welcomes guests upon their entry. Back in the old days, this carabao-operated machine made of oak is widely used for extracting sugarcane juice—the primary raw material for production of distilled spirits. The museum's heavy wooden doors reveal a walkthrough of the company's humble beginnings, starting with the rustic display of the brand's first product, the sioktong or iconic Chinese herbal wine brought to the country by Don Bonifacio Limtuaco, the founder of the company. According to the guide that accommodated us, he established his own liquor plant to share his family's secret herbal tonic with the people.