Kantala Spirits introduces Gracia Século XVI, a Feni that promises a taste of Goa’s heritage and culture
Cashew Feni is not just a local alcoholic drink in Goa; it is a symbol of heritage, identity, and tradition, deeply woven into everyday Goan life. The spirit is so intrinsic and indicative of Goa that it has acquired a GI (Geographical Indicator) tag for it.
Cashew cultivation and Feni production provide livelihood to farmers, distillers, and small-scale entrepreneurs across rural Goa. It supports local agriculture, seasonal employment and tourism-based businesses.
Feni plays a central role in festivals and celebrations. Offering Feni to guests is considered a gesture of warmth and hospitality.
Cashew Feni is exclusively produced in Goa and therefore making it unique either to consume or to gift.
The dependence on Feni increased as Goans discovered many more uses and qualities. It could cure and prevent common ailments; from cold, constipation, to aches and fevers. In fact, while other alcohols have a high Glycemic Index, Cashew Feni is considered good for people with diabetes as it has an almost 0% GI and no carbohydrates (being fruity and botanical)
A version of it called ‘Suur’ is used for fermenting traditional Goan breads.
Kantala Spirits launches a new Premium Feni – Gracia Século XVI
Kantala Spirits has launched a premium version of Feni, branded Gracia Século XVI, Portuguese for ‘16th Century’.
Gracia Século XVI is crafted in Goa, following the same 450+ year old methods. It is a small batch production- to preserve authenticity over assembly line. Each batch size is limited. Available in a 750 ml bottle, it has an ABV of 42.8%.
The cashew apples that go into making Gracia Século XVI are sourced from the Pernem region in extreme North Goa, famous for the best cashews. And Kantala Spirits strictly sticks to one region, they do not mix their cashew fruits, as this muddles the taste. Cashew apples are affected by monsoon timings, they are especially sensitive to rainfall, heat and pests, as they are harvested only once a year, typically February to May in Goa. This means that a sunny year with decent rainfall will result in sweeter apples, better fermentation, more aroma. A bad monsoon or drought will result in lower sugar, weaker or harsher spirit. So Suzann Homan, Founder-Director, Kantala Spirits; pays attention to these factors before choosing the Cashew apples for distillation.
Gracia Século XVI is double-distilled at a semi-traditional distillery, in copper pots for a premium taste and clarity. It is bottled in a tinted blue bottle that promotes longer preservation and shelf life by preventing degradation caused by the sun’s UV rays. The tinted blue glass also harkens back memories of yore. It reimagines an older, gentler Goa with a modern, updated feel.
Gracia Século XVI is the first Feni to be bottled in a blue tinted bottle, usually reserved for expensive vodkas and gins
Founder’s thought process
Suzan says, “I always wished I could preserve my Goa summer holiday memories in a bottle. As kids, we went with our parents to our ancestral village of Candolim and Parra every summer vacation. The highlight was cycling with my cousins to the close-by Arpora hills to pluck mangoes, cashews, Jamun and wild berries from my grandma’s orchard. While we kept the mangoes and wild berries, the cashew fruits were bought by villagers who had small bhattis in their homes. When it was time to return home to Mumbai, we would be gifted bottles of freshly brewed Feni by the same villagers.”
Suzann says that although her family was not into distilling cashew, as a child she visited a village bhatti once and was quite fascinated by what she saw. It seemed to her like it was a community effort, with entire families having their chores cut out. The women and children sorted out the cashews by ripeness, and separated the nuts from the fruit body, while the men crushed the fruit with their feet, and distilled the juice.
Years later, in 2024, when she entered the Alco-Bev business, she chose Agave/ Tequila as her first brand. But the thought of introducing a Feni brand was always on top of her mind.
However, Suzann was extremely aware that a few legacy Feni brands of Goa had a stronghold over consumers. She knew she had to match up to their standards and eventually surpass them. She took her time and did her homework. Gracia Século XVI is a brand that invokes luxury and heritage. When you sip Gracia Século XVI cashew Feni, you are sipping a piece of Goa’s history. Imbibing its heritage and culture, its peace-loving outlook towards life.
Taste Profile and Aroma Notes
- Aroma: Strong and pungent, fruity and earthy, with immediate hints of fermented cashew apples.
- Palate (Taste): Fruity and slightly sweet upon initial taste, with notes of cashew
- Body & Finish: It has a bold, earthy, and slightly astringent, smoky taste with a warm, spicy, and long-lasting finish.
Key Characteristics
- Colour: Clear and colourless
- Nature: A potent, botanical spirit, described as an ‘acquired taste’
Essential Garnishes
If you are mixing Gracia Século XVI Feni with Limca or Soda, these are non-negotiable for the ‘local’ taste:
- Slit Green Chilies: Adds a spicy aroma and bite.
- Lime and Salt: To balance the drink’s strong, fruity esters. Then there is the classic Coca Cola with Gracia Século XVI – always refreshing!
