King of Comedy Dolphy’s “Banayad Whisky” gag from the 1995 film Father En Son proved to be more than just a punchline — it’s now a premium bottle, a family enterprise and a cultural heirloom.

Nearly three decades since the sketch first aired, the image of the late Comedy King grimacing over a gulp of cheap whisky while muttering the unforgettable words “Lasang blade (Tastes like blade)” has resurfaced with viral force. Shared millions of times across platforms, the scene is now legendary, both for its hilarity and the sheer Dolphy-ness of it: Honest, humble and hilariously human.

But behind the laughter came a sobering truth. As bootleggers began to capitalize on the sketch’s popularity — selling questionable liquors under the “Banayad Whisky” name, some even bearing Dolphy’s face — the Quizon family was forced to draw a line. They had to protect not just a name, but a legacy.

A joke turned into justice

“There was a bottle circulating online, and it had my dad’s face on it,” recalls Eric Quizon, one of Dolphy’s 18 children and the steward of his estate. “It was using the line from the film, too. I told them, ‘I could sue you. But I’m not a bad person. Why don’t we collaborate?’”

That olive branch was met with silence. The sellers disappeared, but the damage had been done.

The Quizons knew then: they couldn’t let Dolphy’s image be used without care — or consent. That’s when the family officially created PBW Manila Enterprise Inc., which stands for Pidol’s Banayad Whisky — the only whisky line legally and emotionally tied to the man who made it famous.

“This one is real. It’s official. It’s trademarked. It’s our way of honoring our father — and ensuring that his legacy stays classy, not clumsy,” Eric says.

From sketch to scotch

Ironically, Dolphy wasn’t far removed from whisky in real life. According to son and actor Epy Quizon, the late comedy legend was a fan of dark liquors like cognac and whisky before switching to red wine for health reasons.

In crafting PBW’s first line of whisky, authenticity was key. One of their partners reached out to a Scottish supplier who had initially balked at the idea — until he watched the viral clip.

“He realized it wasn’t just some internet joke,” says Epy. “It was a cult classic. He flew to Manila with samples.”

The result: Two carefully selected Scotch blends. The first, a three-year-old blended Scotch, is light, floral and honeyed — perfect for casual drinkers. The second, a 12-year-old blend, has more weight, but remains approachable, with a smooth finish and a whisper of oak and smoke.

Each bottle features Dolphy’s smiling face and a small razor blade icon — an irreverent nod to the “lasang blade” punchline that started it all.