Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest There are certain misconceptions about what women like to drink as well as misconceptions about women who like to drink. Either seen as a boozehound or exclusive imbibers of fruity, colorful cocktails (though there is nothing wrong with enjoying these, wherever you are in the gender spectrum), women usually get overlooked when it comes to the alcohol. Normally the “bait” or the “catch” in booze advertising (see old ads featuring scantily clad women holding or hawking the products), women have been seen selling the booze, but not really drinking it. Cosmopolitan Foreign Alcohol Ads Local alcohol Ads But the alcohol industry has seen a rise in interest, involvement, and participation from women over the years. DrinkManila.com was founded by women. Most of our contributors and 52 percent of our readers are women. Because of this, we decided to do a piece on women who appreciate a good tipple and get a glimpse of a side that’s not really represented. Jane Dee, former brand manager of Belvedere Hong Kong, got her start back in 2003. “I was employed by Pernod Ricard China in Beijing which kick-started my career in the wines and spirits industry,” she says. Being responsible for increasing sales on top accounts, focusing on Chivas Regal, gave her an appreciation for spirits. “Whisky has always been close to my heart since then.” Jane Dee Anj Dinglasan, owner of Zenutrients, credits her interest in “good” spirits to when she started traveling alone. “It’s like food. You can learn a lot about a country and a city by the drinks you have there,” she shares. Anj Dinglasan Media personality Cheryl Tiu has always enjoyed wines and spirits. She wonders about the unfavorable view of liquor. “For some reason, when people hear the word alcohol, they associate it negatively,” she says. “On the contrary, they are wonderful causes for celebrations. And are likewise, very soothing solo. Life is just more fun with a cocktail!” Cheryl Tiu Karrie Bitanga, director and founding partner of Malt Manila, owes her attuned palate to her time living in New York. “My roommates and I went to a variety of bars. New York could very well be the cocktail capital of the world,” she enthuses. The Big Apple was the perfect place for her to explore. “I learned to appreciate different spirits and how they interact with certain flavors. I further explored the art of the cocktail by making our own in our apartment and experimented with different recipes.” Karrie Paillard The varied ways these women got interested in spirits show the diversity of experiences we have when it comes to drinking. Be it traveling, a job or just innate passion and interest, the call of the spirits is hard to ignore. Tastes and preferences also change with time and occasion. “It’s a vicious cycle really,” acknowledges Jane. Her time in China was all about whisky, while she shifted to champagne and white spirits in Hong Kong. “People evolve. Now I’m back to my original preference with a slight modification—single malt whisky.” Pernod Ricard Her background has made her knowledgeable about the nuances of spirits. She is drawn to Asian whisky for now. “I’m quite particular now to Kavalan Single Malt Whisky Sherry Cask, and Hibiki 17 years. I also like Royal Salute (21 years) during special occasions,” she adds. “I enjoy the clean and complex aroma on the nose, always with touches of wood, oak and variety of spices. On the palate, I like the texture and long finish with hints of dried fruit, cocoa and coffee.” Kavalan Whisky Anj is more “partial to whisky,” though she has a broader taste in drinks. “I love wine as well; a nice Chablis can be perfect for the Manila heat. It’s also about the food. A nice sushi meal tastes even better with sake. I’m not too fond of cocktails except for Bloody Marys (perfect for justifying drinking at 10 a.m. haha) and the occasional highball.” Well hello there #dauvissat #lesclos #chablis A photo posted by Apostrophe Wine (@apostrophewine) on Nov 9, 2016 at 10:08pm PST Cheryl can relate to the changes in drink preferences. “I went through a bourbon phase a few years ago but now I seek gin-based cocktails,” she shares. “I like Gimlet, Aviation, Last Word, and 20th Century a lot. If I’m trying to cut calories, I’ll get a gin soda. Some liqueurs are downers but gin for me is happy, refreshing and uplifting.” It’s not all about big, mainstream brands for her. “I like exploring boutique, small-batch brands.” Aviation As the head of Malt Manila, an upcoming whisky festival, Karrie often partakes of whisky. “If not, I usually order negroni or Old Fashioned cocktails,” she adds. “I tend to go with semi-bitter flavors over sweet. My favorite whisky brands are Macallan, Glenfiddich, or Hibiki as those are more readily available in bars. However, there are so many other craft brands to try from smaller distilleries.” Her research for Malt Manila has opened up her knowledge about everything whisky-related. “I am discovering more about them now by talking to whisky connoisseurs and collectors. My goal is to be able to bring these brands to the Philippines through Malt Manila. Negroni “Interest for whisky in Manila has been growing steadily, and brands see the potential of promoting them more,” she observed. “There is a shift of appreciation from wine and champagne to whisky.” Malt Manila is a great avenue for further learning about whisky in the Philippines. “There’s so much to be done in this market, such as holding masterclasses, organizing whisky investment and collection seminars and just upgrading whisky education for the Filipinos,” she notes. Whisky Live Manila 2016 They have some recommendations for bars where you can get a good tipple or two. Jane recommends Bank Bar and Revel; Karrie suggests Bank Bar, Reserve (Burgos Circle), Salvatore Cuomo, as well as Revel; Anj recommends Pablo and also favors Bank Bar; and Cheryl recommends The Curator. These women know what they want and they know their stuff. They are good examples of how the drinking culture is changing and making more space for women. We’ve seen a rise in women brand managers, brand ambassadors, and bartenders over the years. Women are also actively learning more about and getting a better understanding the alcohol they consume. Times have changed; women have more time, resources and opportunities to enjoy, explore and experience the varieties of alcohol out there that were previously out of reach.