At a recent tasting at The Spirits Library, Witchcraft Distillery’s whiskies showed how a distinctly Filipino identity can coexist with single malt tradition.

Most whiskey tastings in Manila follow a familiar pattern: a lineup of international brands, each tracing a long-established lineage. This one was different. The glasses that night held whiskies made in the Philippines. At The Spirits Library on Wednesday, October 22, the Whisky Society of the Philippines (WSP) hosted a session featuring Witchcraft Distillery, a small producer based in Baguio, in the northern Philippine highlands. They poured three of the distillery’s single malts: Avallach, Spectre 431, and Phantom along with two experimental samples that hinted at what might come next.

The tasting was led by Frank Shrope and Leonard de Guzman of the WSP. Their approach set the tone for the evening. Rather than simply pouring and reading notes, they wove in stories about Baguio’s layered past: its American-built roads and lodges, its Japanese occupation, the craftsmen behind the now-iconic barrel man, and the city’s reputation for haunted places that seem to hold memories and capture people’s imagination. It was a reminder that Baguio has always been a meeting point of cultures, histories, and lingering spirits. And that Witchcraft’s decision to set up a distillery there is not as improbable as it sounds.

A Distillery in the North

Witchcraft was founded by Jackson So, a longtime whiskey drinker who turned curiosity into a personal experiment in 2010 when he bought his first still. It took several years of quiet work before production began in earnest in 2015. From the start, the focus was single malt. The distillery uses the same barley as top Scotch producers, spring water from the family’s own sources in the Cordilleras, and follows the traditional three-year minimum aging period. Baguio’s elevation and temperature swings create a unique environment for aging whiskey. The warmer temperature during the day speeds up interaction between spirit and wood, while the cold nights slow it down.

The Idea Behind the Name

“Witchcraft” as a name reflects the improbable nature of what they are doing. Whiskey production in a tropical country is not something most people expect to work, but the distillery in Baguio has made it possible. Their first release, Avallach, takes its name from Avalon, the mythical island of immortality. In Celtic legend, Avallach is sometimes used to refer to Avalon itself or to its guardian. Jackson saw a parallel in the Cordilleras, which he considers a real-world Avalon, both beautiful and mysterious. That influence gives the brand a sense of story, and their subsequent releases, Spectre 431, Phantom - and even their gin, Ghost - take their names from supernatural elements as well.

The Whiskies

The tasting opened with Avallach. It’s light and easy to drink, with notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a hint of coconut. The texture is thin compared to most Scotch but smooth and balanced, designed for accessibility rather than intensity.

Next was Spectre 431, the “classic” style in the lineup. It has more structure and a familiar weight, with oak, smoke, and touches of dark chocolate. The flavors are more pronounced, and the whiskey feels more confident.

The third whiskey, Phantom, is a distillery-only special release and was the crowd favorite. Richer and more full-bodied with notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and fruit, it carries a pleasant oiliness and complexity that linger on the palate.

The two experimental pours closed the evening. The ex-rum cask sample leaned heavily into molasses notes, while the special barley batch had a grassy, almost agricole-like profile. Neither is a finished product, but both show that the distillery is willing to take risks and explore.

Looking Ahead

Witchcraft Distillery has plans for more releases and continues to expand its work through The Gallery by Witchcraft, a tasting and taproom space in Baguio where visitors can sample both their spirits and craft beers. For now, production is still small, but the potential is clear. Events like the Spirits Library tasting show that there is genuine interest among Filipino drinkers for local whiskey.

In a country where most spirits are imported, Witchcraft Distillery stands as evidence that passion and patience can turn a far-fetched idea into a reality worth tasting. Filipino whiskey is still young, but every successful batch is a step toward building a new category of local spirits. The whiskies may not yet rival the complexity of older global names, but they represent something equally valuable: proof of possibility. It’s the kind of progress that makes you want to see what comes next.

Chrysmas Gawaran

Chrysmas Gawaran is a Manila-based writer covering the drinks, bars and subcultures behind the city’s nightlife. Her work focuses on the craft, the people, and the stories shaking up how and why we drink.

IG: @chrysmas3