Beyond the Shot: Loca Loka Tequila Arrives in Manila

A tequila rooted in Jalisco, shaped by culture, and made for every moment.

Words Coleen Wong
Photos courtesy of Loca Loka Tequila
June 10, 2026

Tequila has long carried a certain reputation. For many, it is the quick shot, the salt and lime, the drink that starts the night before anyone even has the chance to think too much about it. 

But Loca Loka’s Philippine debut offered a different way. Instead of asking guests to drink tequila quickly, the brand invited them to slow down, taste it neat, and understand the craft behind every pour.

At Solaire Pool Bar & Grill in Parañaque City, Loca Loka introduced itself to Manila through a sunset soirée that brought together media personalities and industry insiders over neat pours, signature cocktails, and music.

As the golden hour settled over the Manila skyline, the award-winning premium tequila brand introduced its “100 or Nothing” spirit to the country, a philosophy rooted in doing things properly, or not at all.

Crafted in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Loca Loka is made using 100% Blue Weber agave under the guidance of third-generation Master Distiller Willy Bañuelos Ramírez. 

The brand takes an additive-free approach, allowing the agave to speak for itself. No artificial color, no glycerin for mouthfeel, and no shortcuts to make the spirit taste like something it is not.

That is where Loca Loka begins to separate itself from the usual idea of tequila.

While tequila is often treated as something to be taken quickly, Loca Loka asks for a little more attention. It brings the experience back to its source: the agave, the soil, the distillation, and the hands behind the process.

“Authentic tequila begins in the field, not the boardroom,” shared Bañuelos. 

“At Loca Loka, we respect the agave’s natural complexity and refuse to take shortcuts... Every bottle reflects generations of craftsmanship, and tequila, made the way it was always meant to be: pure, honest, and expressive of highland Jalisco.”

The launch began with an intimate lunch and masterclass led by Bañuelos, where guests were taken through a four-course tequila pairing experience. 

Blanco, Reposado, and an exclusive first tasting of Loca Loka’s upcoming Añejo expression were served neat, giving guests a chance to experience tequila beyond the usual cocktail format.

The Blanco is the clearest expression of the brand’s identity. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, it carries notes of cooked agave, citrus, pear, fresh mint, white pepper, and herbal undertones. It is smooth enough to sip on its own, with a softness that makes it approachable without losing its character.

The Reposado, on the other hand, aged four to six months in French and American oak barrels, brings a warmer profile. With notes of roasted agave, honey, vanilla, dried fruit, toasted oak, spice, and citrus zest, it shows how aging can add depth without covering up the natural brightness of the agave.

Even the name Loca Loka carries the brand’s layered identity. 

“Loca,” the Spanish word for crazy, meets “Loka,” the Sanskrit word for world. It becomes a meeting point between Mexican terroir and Indian creative energy, shaped into a tequila made for a global audience.

As the sun set, the launch shifted into a more social gathering. Guests moved from neat pours to signature cocktails, with DJ sets, cantarito painting, and tarot readings paired with surprise serves adding to the evening. It was playful without losing the focus of the brand. 

Every part of the experience still pointed back to the idea that tequila can be more than a party drink. It can be tasted, paired, talked about, and enjoyed with intention.

For Manila, Loca Loka arrives at a time when the local drinking scene is becoming more curious. People are paying closer attention to what they drink, where it comes from, and how it is made. 

Premium spirits are no longer just about the label or the look of the bottle. More and more, they’re about the story, the process, and whether the drink can hold its own.

With its Philippine debut, Loca Loka entered Manila not as just another tequila on the shelf, but as an invitation to experience tequila differently.

From its additive-free process to its cross-cultural identity, the brand brings in the party that begins long before the first pour, in the field, in the craft, and in the choice to do things with nothing less than a hundred percent.