BRAND PROFILE
THE BUSINESS
Brand Story
What seemed to be a holiday escapade in the eastern coast of Luzon turned out to be our first encounter with a promising native spirit remaining untapped from brackish palm (nipa or sasa). This locally distilled moonshine from nipa nectar proved to have a lighter and smoother flavour than the more popular coconut lambanog. Our ventures in learning more about this sweet yet potent liquor closely acquainted us with a thriving cottage industry of strong market potential and a rich heritage of drinking heroes and locals that deserves to be shared.
Barik Supremo Lambanog is a craft‐ distilled liquor from nipa or sasa puree. Adhering to the traditional process, the sap is first collected from a nipa blossom through a bamboo collector. The nectar is then cooked using wood‐ fire and distilled to produce the 80 proof crystal clear lambanog sa sasa. Unlike the commercial lambanog available in the market, this uniquely packaged distilled spirit offers a clean‐ tasting punch with a subtle sweetness at the tip of the sip. It can be enjoyed as it is or served as a versatile base for cocktail infusions.
Even if nipa lambanog is relatively rare, its source abundantly grows in brackish waters. The promotion of developing the liquor might also encourage the conservation of mangrove ecosystems along our coastlines. If these were sustainably grown and harvested, locals seeing their benefits would be more motivated to practice environmental conservation.
Barik Supremo Lambanog is also poised to become the distinct liquor Filipinos can identify with. If Mexicans take pride in their tequila that can only be authentically produced from the endemic agave cactus, then it is also possible to harness the potential of our rich native resources to create a signature drink. Our archipelagic geography defined by vast coastlines is perfect for cultivating nipa for lambanog. Moreover, this prospective nipa industry can also prosper not only through alcohol production but also from other commercial opportunities, notably from honey (nectar), vinegar, natural oil/gas or even as a viable source of fibre for weaving (nipa leaves). Just like the coconut, nothing is wasted from nipa production.
Despite this geographical edge, lambanog, particularly the one from nipa, has not yet penetrated a bigger commercial market and remained to be dubbed as an ill provincial arrack. This misconception can be solved by endorsing the lighter yet equally intoxicating taste of lambanog sa sasa. Eventually, this spurred interest for lambanog will also entice the drinking Filipino public to learn more and try out our very own spirits and liquors.
It is very ironic to note that the current generation is very much unaware of the long legacy of local alcohol production. During the course of researching about the product, we have even stumbled upon a lambanog distillery which dates back to 1673. Such discoveries only point out to a very old tradition of local spirit making. It is also not difficult to surmise that lambanog might have been the premium liquor our ancestors probably swigged. One distinguished account even describes that lambanog might have been the welcome drink offered to Ferdinand Magellan upon his arrival in Philippine shores. Through Barik Supremo Lambanog, this native spirit intimately linked to our identity and history can achieve a renowned prestige as the Filipino liquor.
THE BRAND
Barik Supremo Moonshine aspires to become a premium alcohol brand that can be genuinely identified as the Filipino liquor. We aim to introduce this native organic spirit – smooth yet potent, without preservatives, not from chemical concentrates, self‐ packaged – to the modern Filipino drinker. Locally brewed yet globally appealing in quality, Barik Supremo Moonshine stands as a refined classic that is truly Filipino.
With its name “Barik” hailing from the archaic Tagalog euphemism for alcohol drinking, our brand strongly holds on to its commitment as the Philippine moonshine. The tagline “Heroes are not saints” appeals to the enduring legacy of lambanog drinking: unlike saints, native heroes are known to have swilled this local spirit for an instant shot of bravery (a little spark of “madness”) before entering battle. With such connection, our brand serves as a link to that tradition of heroes not being pure saints but human beings in dire need of immediate inspiration and a history of indigenous spirit production fostering a sense of identity. Moreover, it is hoped that the popularity of Barik Supremo Lambanog will stimulate the public’s interest in embracing their local liquor and stand independent from the plethora of foreign options prevailing in the current market.
Barik Supremo Lambanog vows to bring nipa lambanog in the forefront of local spirits that merits to be known by the Filipino drinking public. Our brand is also dedicated to maximizing local production’s potential. Sustainably produced, craft‐ distilled, and meticulously packaged, our brand offers the unique experience of a strong but not jarring swig capped with a subtle sweetness a generation of heroes has relished.
POSITIONING
Driven by its cause of promoting the locally brewed spirit and its heritage, Barik Supremo Moonshine serves as a more sophisticated and artisanal version of nipa lambanog. Its 80 proof alcohol content matched with a smooth and sweet flavour makes it ideal as an elegant choice for drinking on all occasions.
As of date, two variations have been developed. Barik Puro (500 mL) can be mixed for cocktails or enjoyed on its own like whiskey. It is still not sold per litre so as to avoid making the consumers feel intimidated. We want to deliver the message that the customers can confidently finish one on his or her own. An ideal setup for presentation in bars is that the bottle should be placed in a palayok (black claypot) over ice accompanied by a jigger and whiskey glasses. The jigger will be used by the customer to measure how much s/he wants in her/his glass. In this manner, ordering Barik serves as a complete experience: one can play as a bartender with a group of friends. This parallels the communality cultivated by traditional lambanog drinking.
The other variant is our very own cocktail mix: Barik Ginger Sour (250 mL) can be consumed on its own, chilled or on the rocks. The ladies are the prime target group of this lambanog infusion flavoured with calamansi, honey, and ginger. The drink should be chilled and the glass should be served with the bottle so that the customers can freely pour her/his preferred amount.
The experience does not only stop with visual presentation: unlike common types of liquor, one can get easily inebriated by drinking just a few shots of Barik and the drunkenness one experiences expires upon stopping, leaving no lingering effects. This happy kind of buzz coupled with high alcohol content makes it popular as a festive drink. Not only that, consuming it does not give undesirable hangovers. This unique quality is a characteristic of organic and local liquors, particularly of lambanog. As such, drinking Barik offers a refreshing perspective on the modern alcohol experience that has long been enjoyed by local drinkers.
Serving as a hip and artisanal choice for craft‐ distilled nipa lambanog, we are eyeing to distribute this premium brand to high end bars and pubs in the major cities in the country. It will also be made available to popular liquor stores across the metro. However, we are initially marketing the product in the international market as a rare Filipino spirit. In this way, we can strategically establish the brand’s native roots and gain traction in the Philippine market as an internationally‐ acclaimed spirit. Building Barik’s reputation first in the world market ensures that the brand will secure a strong and sound foothold in the Philippine drinking scene (and not just last as a fad) since Filipino consumers tend to keenly prefer recognized brands. This strategy, albeit “reverse” in orientation, will bolster Barik’s brand as the Filipino moonshine that represents excellent quality and proud heritage both in the national and global alcohol market.
0 (mga) komento:
Mag-post ng Komento