A haven known for its hot springs and the legendary Mount Makiling. Home of the famous buko pie. Host to UPLB and several international organizations. This is the bustling town of Los Baños, a melting pot of different cultures thanks to foreigners and Filipinos from different regions calling this town home. Hence, satisfying the palate of this diverse community continues to be an exciting challenge.
Meister’s Uncorked, a newcomer in the restaurant and bar landscape of the province, enters the scene with Mediterranean, and European-inspired cuisine, a well-stocked bar of wine and spirits; and an impressive whisky collection that’s rare south of Metro Manila.
As a passion project fulfilled, its founder revealed that the idea of Meister’s Uncorked has been gestating in him for over a decade. “I love hosting private parties, I love to cook, and in the company of friends, I love to drink. I want to give the community something different. The Los Baños dining and drinking scene has always been variations of existing establishments. They serve the standard whiskies and wines. We’d like to change that.”
An avid wine and whisky enthusiast himself, David takes special pride in what Meister’s Uncorked has to offer: a wide variety of whiskies for all drinkers, from newbies looking to expand their horizons, to independent bottlings and rare-gems for the whisky aficionado.
Meister’s Uncorked took it up a notch when it hosted what could very well be, the first-ever whisky tasting session in Los Baños. Scotch Malt Whisky Society Philippine Liaison Kris Ong opened the world of whisky to a group of local businessmen, professors, doctors and enthusiasts: from the basics, to production, classification, how to nose and taste varieties.
The night started with the double-aged blended Scotch whisky, Dewar’s 15. This multi-awarded whisky is famed for its smoothness and long finish. From the blended malt category, guests were treated to Timorous Beastie, a Scotch whisky that combines spirit from three distilleries and which its producers describe as “a medley of vanilla, malted barley, meringue, honey and citrus just bursting to be unleashed”.
Borders was a special surprise, being one of the few Single Grain Scotch Whiskies in the world. It has a malty fruitiness and some floral qualities that thrilled the tasters. Crossing the Atlantic to Kentucky, USA, guests had a taste of Buffalo Trace. The bourbon is special for its interesting rye-forward scents and an intensity that may seem just enough even for a beginner.
The tasting session then ended with the monstrous Smokehead Sherry Bomb, a flavorful Islay (Scotland) single malt whisky which combines the rich briny smoke the region is known for, with dried fruits from the Oloroso sherry casks used to mature the whisky.
The Whisky Appreciation Night is just the first of more tasting sessions ahead. Meister’s Uncorked is looking to expand it further to include other liquors such as wine, rum, and gin, and even a wide-reaching selection of cigars in the future.
Ultimately, Meister’s Uncorked is envisioned to be a destination for enthusiasts south of the metro. “I see Meister’s Uncorked becoming a place where people can come visit to know more about what they’re drinking; a place where they can relax and enjoy, maybe even have a dram or two of that whisky that they’ve never tried before.”
