La Tondeña was established in 1902 by Carlos Palanca, Sr. in Tondo, Manila[1] and incorporated as La Tondeña, Inc. in 1929. The company name was inspired from its location. The distillery pioneered the production of alcohol derived from molasses, instead of the commonly used nipa palm.
The company was renamed La Tondeña Distillers, Inc. (LTDI) in 1987 after being acquired by San Miguel Corporation from the Palanca family. The company then adopted the present corporate name Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. on March 7, 2003.[3]
On November 6, 2017, San Miguel Corporation announced the consolidation of its beverage businesses into San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. through a share swap deal. San Miguel Pure Foods will acquire 216.97 million shares in GSMI from San Miguel Corporation. As a result, San Miguel Pure Foods will own 76% of GSMI with San Miguel Corporation as the minority owner. After the consolidation, San Miguel Pure Foods will be renamed San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc.[4][5][6]
Ginebra San Miguel brand history
In June 1834, Casa Róxas established the Ayala Distillery, the first distillery in the Philippines. It produced a variety of drinks including anis, anisette, cognac, rum, whisky and gin (Ginebra Ayala, Ginebra San Miguel, Ginebra Nacional, Ginebra Extra, Ginebra Doble Extra, among others). The distillery was located in Quiapo, Manila and was a major business of Ayala y Compañía (successor of Casa Róxas) when it was acquired by La Tondeña on June 21, 1924.[7]
The annual tradition of releasing calendars featuring female celebrities started in 1988 which they named the Ginebra San Miguel Super Angels. This was inspired by the US TV series Charlie’s Angels. These calendars are used as promotional material which are widely displayed in barbershops, sari-sari stores, mini-groceries and other venues frequented by liquor consumers.[8]
Monde Selection awards
GSMI has received eight Quality Awards (five golds and three silvers) at the 2012 World Quality Selections, organized yearly by Monde Selection. Three of the brands have also earned the Monde Selection's International High Quality Trophy, granted to products achieving Grand Gold or GoldAwards for three consecutive years.[9]
Formerly the Gilbey's Gin, St. George Whiskies, Gilbey's Gin Gimlets, Gilbey's Gin Tonics, Ginebra San Miguel, Añejo Rum 65ers, Tondeña 65 Rum Masters, Gordon's Gin Boars and Barangay Ginebra Kings
