Meet the Collective | Dominique Jackson

With flavor at the forefront and exploration at our core, Westland spent years distilling fine single malt whiskeys that take terroir seriously. We share a story of place and time in each bottle we fill. And now, after years of creating these expressive whiskeys, we look to a new horizon: mixing whiskey into flavorful cocktails. Uncovering new stories in how the whiskey can be enjoyed. Thus, the Westland Cocktail Collective was born.

We searched far and wide to find some of the world’s best bartenders in the industry to delve into this universe with us and explore the flavors Westland can bring to the cocktail space. And in San Diego, California, we find Dominique Jackson, lead bartender at the Realm of the 52 Remedies.

Dominique Jackson has over 9 years of bartending experience, and continues to establish her voice in the ever-changing beverage industry. A second-generation Filipino-American woman, Jackson grew up in Akron, Ohio, drawing inspiration from her family and their ancestral home in the Philippines. From Ohio, Jackson moved to Arizona and eventually California, honing her skills in the food and beverage industry at various establishments. Now, Jackson is the lead bartender at San Diego’s award-winning and widely recognized Realm of the 52 Remedies, which was featured on Bar Magazine’s Best Bars in the World list. As a proud member of the 52 Remedies team, Jackson also took home Bartender of the Year at the Industry Excellence Awards, presented by Bar & Restaurant Expo. Jackson is undoubtedly one to watch in the bartending world.

When we asked Dominique for her expert opinion on cocktails, she shared that her heritage and family stories add strong influence to how she writes recipes and makes creative decisions. It’s what makes her unique, and creating cocktails gives her a platform to share her background and pieces of her story. Jackson remarks, “Every cocktail I put across the bar is a piece of me and my history where I’ve come from, where I began, my start, middle, and future of what I came to and when I came to bartending.” Jackson continues to make her mark in the industry, using her platform to lift up minorities and people who often get sent to the sidelines. She uses her own understanding of nostalgia to inspire recipes and impress tastemakers across the country.

When we asked Dominique Jackson to create a cocktail using Westland Flagship, she presented to us the Let That Man Go. This unique clarified cocktail seems simple in its final build, but carries a rich and complex tone from various infusions and preparation in mingling flavors together.

Dominique’s Let That Man Go uses flavors that are nostalgic to her childhood. At the core of this drink, she wants to convey the wistful and sentimental tones of her upbringing and family. Jackson told us, “I wanted to make a cocktail that reminded me of home.” And in this cocktail, she infuses mango juice, coconut, coffee, and Thai chili. Jackson elaborates, “I was inspired to make this cocktail by my mom. Growing up when I was younger, every morning for
breakfast, she would always have coffee and fruit.” So, we delve into the unexpected meeting of mango, coffee, and whiskey. Tropical tones shine as they interlock with the complex roasted malt tones of Westland Flagship.

On working with and using Westland Whiskey, Jackson shared that it was an “unforgettable experience.” There is an undeniable joy in sharing flavors and stories with people, which is ultimately the core mission in hospitality. This type of hospitality involves exploration and leads to sharing. Jackson shares, “I first fell in love with creating experiences for people. From there, I’ve had the chance to grow, learn, and travel the world honing my craft, but it’s that first spark that drives me every day. Getting to pay tribute to my Filipino heritage and family while providing everlasting moments for people.” So, to draw inspiration from Dominique, the best way to enjoy a cocktail remains simple: draw inspiration from your own story and share it with others. Follow Dominique and 52 Remedies on Instagram to keep up to date with her upcoming events and more. Together we will uncover new flavors in whiskey and beyond.