Full Circle Craft Distillers Officially Launches Arc Craft Spirits

Full Circle Craft Distillers Co. (makers of Arc Botanical Gin, and Arc Vodka) officially launches their pioneer spirits into the market and is shaking up the game in the spirits industry.

Full Circle Craft Distillers. is a craft distillery co-founded by husband-and-wife team Matthew and Laurie Westfall. The distillery is their passion project and tribute to promote the very best of the Philippines. The company is creating a buzz among the spirit connoisseurs with its focus on excellence, precision, and authenticity to produce spirits at par with global standards.

“What we wanted to do was to create a brand that we can take and export out of the country which highlights flavors of the Philippines Islands,” explains Matthew. With a decade of preparation and almost four years of the recipe in the making, today, their craft products are garnering international recognition and awards, including two gold medals at the prestigious World Gin Awards in London on January 2019. 

Aside from their local presence, their bottles are currently available in various countries worldwide. “We’re in Singapore, California, New York and other states in the US, UK, and probably be in Australia and HK within a few months,” shares Matthew.  

Guaranteed Quality and Safety

Full Circle Craft Distillers uses a state-of-the-art German copper pot still Carl GmbH, the same still used by leading distilleries in the world, such as Four Pillars, Sipsmith, and Monkey 47. It ensures a slow, carefully-managed control over steam, heat, and the process that is only achievable with this technology. This computerized system carefully monitors temperatures and alcohol percentages during distilling, which ensures consistent and generous heads and tails cuts. “With our CARL system, managed by a knowledgeable and trained team, we achieve a perfectly consistent and clean final product with zero methanol or other undesirable congeners, “Matthew explains. 

“To ensure the highest quality and consistency of our spirits, we focus on two important elements: (1) the quality of our extra neutral alcohol base and (2) the distilling process,” says Matthew.  They import their premium base alcohol from Europe’s leading premium beverage alcohol supplier, Cristalco in France. “This comes with detailed gas chromatography lab analysis, which ensures that the raw materials in our artisanal spirits are of the highest quality,” he adds.  Their products exceed EU standards for an alcoholic beverage while offering the smoothest and cleanest taste, aroma, and mouthfeel.  

The same goes for all their botanicals. When asked why they prefer local ingredients over imports, Matthew explains that local botanicals are fresher and more delicious than any botanicals in Europe and the US. “When you think about it, we’re world-class in every way. There’s no reason why we can’t compete with the world’s best gins using these botanicals,” he says. 

Full Transparency

Full Circle Craft Distillers Co. is taking a step further by being the first distillery to open its doors to the public by August or September. On select days, the plant will host tours, gin masterclasses, and even educational events. Visitors can learn and celebrate artisan spirits that Filipinos can be proud of.

Apart from being licensed and certified by the FDA, Full Circle Craft Distillers is committed to producing safe and high-quality spirit in full transparency.

“In the distillery, you have the tour, the tasting room, and our gift room,” shares Justa Del Rosario, Full Circle Craft Distillers’ Marketing Brand Director. “Unlike other distilleries, we’re fully transparent; we’re open to anyone. They can come on down, have a tour, and go to the tasting room. It’s definitely a new experience,” she adds. 

Authentic Craft Spirit

Full Circle Craft Distillers Co. stays true to their patrons by making sure of four factors into their craft spirits:

1. Authentically distilled
2. Independently-owned
3. Small-scale
4. Uses artisanal production techniques

With these in mind, they came up with their award-winning spirits:

ARC Botanical Gin

The distillery’s flagship gin spirit crafted from rare and exotic blends of 28 botanicals, 22 of which are foraged across the Philippines. Native botanicals include pomelo, dalandan, calamansi, dayap, mango, Benguet pine, sampaguita, ylang-ylang, and camia flowers (also called white ginger). Floral, and citrusy, the gin is great for your regular G&T or craft cocktails.  

Check out DrinkManila’s delicious gin cocktail, Twisted Horn using Arc Gin 

ARC Barrel Reserve Gin

This variant utilizes ARC Botanical Gin, rested in new American Oak barrels with a medium-long toast which gives the product added complexity and intensity. It’s perfect for sipping neat or enjoyed in cocktails.  

ARC Lava Rock Vodka

The smooth and crisp ARC Lava Rock Vodka. Naturally filtered over lava rocks from Mayon and Taal Volcano, it gives the spirit a hint of minerality.  Best enjoyed on the rocks or as a favorite vodka cocktail. 

Watch how to make DrinkManila’s 6 Shades of Pink cocktail using Arc Vodka

For more information, follow them at @fullcircledistillers on their social media accounts and check out hashtags #CelebratetheARChipelago #DrinkInTheARChipelago #SpiritofthePhilippines. The bottles are available online at @boozy.ph, in select Kultura and Tesoro’s branches, and Duty-Free Philippines.