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Goa needs no introduction not only to Indians but also travellers across the world who visit the sunshine state to take a break and enjoy the good food and drink to help them unwind.
Amid the craze for different types of alcohol, Goa`s local spirit feni is becoming more popular than before. Now there is a new entrant into the market with Kantala Spirits launching Gracia Século XVI, a premium cashew feni that aims to celebrate Goa’s history, craft, and culture.
Gracia Século XVI, which translates to “16th Century” in Portuguese, is named after the century when cashew trees were introduced to Goa and feni was first created. The brand draws inspiration from this era, which was also Portugal’s golden age of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange, which is a period that shaped the state’s history and culture in many ways.
The cashew feni, they say, is crafted in Goa using traditional distillation methods that date back over 450 years, and produced in small batches to preserve authenticity and character. The cashew apples used for the feni are sourced from the Pernem region in North Goa, known for producing some of the best cashews.
History of cashew feni
Cashew feni itself has a fascinating origin story. Cashew trees were introduced to Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th century, originally to prevent soil erosion along Goa’s hillsides. Over time, locals discovered that the cashew apple, which could not be easily eaten, could be fermented and distilled into a strong, aromatic spirit. Families began producing feni in small local distilleries called bhattis, and the process became a community activity involving neighbours, family members, and friends, a tradition that continues even today.
Cashew apples are harvested only once a year, typically between February and May, and their quality depends heavily on monsoon patterns, rainfall, and sunshine. These factors influence the sweetness of the fruit, the fermentation process, and ultimately the aroma and character of the spirit.
Gracia Século XVI is double-distilled in copper pot stills in small batches to ensure clarity, depth of flavour, and consistency. The feni is then aged in traditional earthenware and garrafaos (glass bottles), a long-standing practice that contributes to its earthy and woody undertones while giving the spirit a smooth, rounded finish.
Founder-director Suzann Homan says, “I always wished I could preserve my Goa summer holiday memories in a bottle. As kids, we spent our vacations in our ancestral village, cycling through orchards, plucking mangoes, cashews, jamun and wild berries. The cashew fruits would be taken to local villagers who ran small bhattis, and when we left Goa, they would gift us bottles of freshly brewed feni. Those memories stayed with me for years, and creating Gracia Século XVI felt like bringing a part of those summers back to life.”
The feni is bottled in a distinctive tinted blue bottle, designed to protect the spirit from UV light and improve shelf life. The bottle also pays homage to old Goan glass bottles, while giving the product a modern, premium identity.
Flavours of the feni
The premium cashew feni opens with expressive notes of tropical fruit, ripe pineapple, pear, green apple freshness, and the distinctive aroma of cashew apple. On the palate, the feni is smooth, rounded, and well-balanced, bringing together fruity notes, gentle spice, earthy depth, and a subtle warmth that lingers beautifully. Double-distilled in copper pot stills, the spirit retains the authenticity of traditional cashew feni while offering a more polished and contemporary drinking experience suited for both sipping and cocktails. It pairs especially well with spicy and tangy foods, Goan dishes, fried seafood, barbeque, and even simple snacks like spiced guava, roasted cashews, or spicy sandwiches
With Gracia Século XVI, Kantala Spirits aims to present feni not just as a local drink, but as a cultural ambassador of Goa.
It is currently available across select outlets in Goa and will soon be available in select metro cities across India.
Gracia Século XVI at 750 ml with ABV 42.8 per cent is priced at Rs 1950.
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