EVENINGS in Manila have a specific weight to them, with the 6 p.m. transition where the humidity refuses to budge, but the city’s collective nervous system finally starts to unclench. On top of a terrace in Poblacion in Makati, people watching the sky turn that bruised shade of purple may notice something different about the table. There wasn’t a bucket of sweating pilsners or a bottle of gin that looked like it belonged in a chemistry lab. Instead, there was a bottle of Torres 5 Light, sitting in a bucket of ice like it lived there.
For the longest time, brandy in the Philippines felt like a “participation trophy” for adulthood. It was the heavy, high-octane stuff that an uncle pours into a duralex glass during a wake or a baptism—intended to be “felt” immediately. It was ceremonial, stiff, and honestly, a bit much for a random Tuesday.
But the vibe is shifting. Maybe it’s a post-pandemic realization that people don’t need to drink to forget the night, or maybe just tired of the “knockout” culture of the traditional “tagay.” Drinking is perhaps moving toward to what some may call “The Long Conversation” style.
This is where this lighter Spanish import actually makes sense. Coming from the Torres family in Barcelona, it carries all that “old world” heritage—the sun-drenched grapes and the oak-aged pedigree—but it arrives at 25-percent ABV. It’s essentially brandy with the “volume” turned down to a level where drinker can actually hear the person sitting across fthem.
The partnership with Tanduay feels like a smart bit of cultural translation. They’ve realized that the modern Filipino drinker isn’t looking to be intimidated by their glass. Most simply want the sophistication of a spirit that’s been aged in Solera barrels but would want to pour it over a mountain of ice and drink it while eating lechon kawali without feeling the need to hit the bed for a short shuteye early in the night.
It’s a smoother, almost silkier experience than the brandies of our father’s generation. When you have it on the rocks, the caramel and vanilla notes don’t punch you in the throat; they sort of just hang out in the background. It’s the kind of drink that fits into the gaps of a busy life—the “in-between” moments like a mid-week catch-up or a Sunday lunch that stretches into dinner.
Tanduay and Torres executivs have high hopes. “The arrival of Torres in the Philippines marks the coming of two great houses that are united by a shared commitment to excellence and growth. This partnership reflects our vision to offer Filipino consumers world-class spirits,” said Lucio Tan III, President and CEO of Tanduay during the partnership’s official launch.
For his part, Christian Visalli, Torres Spirits Global Managing Director, shared that they are looking forward to introducing Torres 5 Light to Filipino consumers. “We are proud to bring the rich heritage of Spanish brandy to the Philippines. With Tanduay as our distributor, we are confident that Torres products will reach Filipino consumers who appreciate exceptional spirits with authentic Spanish tradition,” he enthused.
In the end, it’s not about the “prestige” of the label, though the Torres name carries weight. It’s about the fact that we’re finally choosing spirits that match our actual lives. It’s about trading the “hard” for the “approachable,” and honestly? It’s about time. The Manila heat is heavy enough, but our drinks shouldn’t have to be.