Re: [Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
On Fri, 6/20/14, Cecil Pinto wrote: 1) Do not judge a Feni by its bottle. Yes, that particular brand/bottle has a pretty decent Feni but the price makes it not suitable for regular drinking. I wouldn't mind paying 1/3rd the price for the same liquid in a regular bottle. Overly fancy bottles are for tourists and showcases. 3) The 'Feni aged in oak barrels' and 'Feni in fancy bottles' and 'Feni tasting sessions in 5-Star hotels for Page-3 folks who will not drink Feni for the remaining 364 days of the year' shows the lack of imagination of the leaders of the Feni industry in Goa. Probably the only person who is looking at Feni seriously and experimenting and researching and studying and testing in a proper way is Hansel Vaz (of Cazulo fame). How exactly does the oak barrel enhance the taste of Caju Feni? Will it make it vastly different from the infusions currently used? Does a liquor with a powerful bouquet like Caju Feni actually need any infusions? These and similar questions should be asked before mindlessly aping the West and focussing on marketing gimmicks rather than improving quality through existing methods. There are a few traditional distillers out there churning out fantastic stuff. They should be encouraged and empowered - which is what Hansel is doing. I do my bit in support too - by consuming copious amounts! --- Cecil, My understanding is that ageing mellows the spirit but, as always, the proof is in the tempered buds of the taster. My favourite bottle has light amber/golden coloured feni, which is normally what happens to clear alcohol that has been sitting around in a wooden cask. As I sip gracefully into middle aged, I find myself willing to pay a premium for what is marketed as the high product. Your last sentenced floored me though. No one is supposed to remember how much s/he consumes. The idea is, and has always been, to enjoy the company and er, good spirit. Mervyn
[Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
Mervyn Lobo wrote: Returning to our beloved Cashew Feni, I know we are in agreement on which village produces the best stuff. Cecil: At one time,many years back, I would swear by the Feni of my Siolim supplier. Much water, and adulterants, have flown under the bridge since and I have moved on to better offerings from other villages. My newest good discovery was in Bicholim this year. -- Mervyn: Lastly, two years ago someone gifted me a bottle of cashew in Goa which was the best feni bottle I have ever opened. The bottle itself is gorgeous, with a mini bottle shaped like the fruit, within it. The contents? Well let me put it this way, it is so precious that the bottle is still half full. But you remain the lucky one for now, as cashew feni aged in wooden barrels, is available in Goa. With premium feni now available in Toronto, I hope it is only a matter of time before we get aged feni in Toronto as well. Cecil: 1) Do not judge a Feni by its bottle. Yes, that particular brand/bottle has a pretty decent Feni but the price makes it not suitable for regular drinking. I wouldn't mind paying 1/3rd the price for the same liquid in a regular bottle. Overly fancy bottles are for tourists and showcases. 2) Roland would look at the bottle as half-empty. 3) The 'Feni aged in oak barrels' and 'Feni in fancy bottles' and 'Feni tasting sessions in 5-Star hotels for Page-3 folks who will not drink Feni for the remaining 364 days of the year' shows the lack of imagination of the leaders of the Feni industry in Goa. Probably the only person who is looking at Feni seriously and experimenting and researching and studying and testing in a proper way is Hansel Vaz (of Cazulo fame). How exactly does the oak barrel enhance the taste of Caju Feni? Will it make it vastly different from the infusions currently used? Does a liquor with a powerful bouquet like Caju Feni actually need any infusions? These and similar questions should be asked before mindlessly aping the West and focussing on marketing gimmicks rather than improving quality through existing methods. There are a few traditional distillers out there churning out fantastic stuff. They should be encouraged and empowered - which is what Hansel is doing. I do my bit in support too - by consuming copious amounts! --- Mervyn: PS. I am still searching for that all elusive, "The Connoisseurs Guide to Cashew Feni." Cecil: Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps Cheers! ==
Re: [Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
On Thu, 6/19/14, Cecil Pinto wrote: Roland must be knowing that the finest wine is produced by crushing grapes using 'human legs'. And wine is just a fermented drink, not a distilled alcohol like Caju Feni where any possible impurities will be eliminated in the process of distillation. You Canadians are very impressed by American quality standards whereas we Indians know that this is all nonsense and America is only protecting its own alcohol industry from competition. Cecil, Rest assured that grape stomping is very popular in Ontario. Some folks will even pay for the opportunity to do so and service organisations use this fact to raise funds. People stood in a long line at the last grape stomping I got invited to and about 10,000 liters of juice were produced that weekend. Returning to our beloved Cashew Feni, I know we are in agreement on which village produces the best stuff. The first time I saw the stomping pit of our family supplier, I was overjoyed. I got the chance to get in and have some barefoot fun too. That was 48 years ago. The last time I saw the same pit, the stompers were using the same foot equipment as their Ontario counterparts. The supplier, however, seems to be producing better stuff every year and it is reflected in his new standard of living. Lastly, two years ago someone gifted me a bottle of cashew in Goa which was the best feni bottle I have ever opened. The bottle itself is gorgeous, with a mini bottle shaped like the fruit, within it. The contents? Well let me put it this way, it is so precious that the bottle is still half full. But you remain the lucky one for now, as cashew feni aged in wooden barrels, is available in Goa. With premium feni now available in Toronto, I hope it is only a matter of time before we get aged feni in Toronto as well. https://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/14460962604/ Mervyn PS. I am still searching for that all elusive, "The Connoisseurs Guide to Cashew Feni."
Re: [Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
LCBO INVENTORY POSITION BIG BOSS CASHEW FENNY VINTAGES 943084 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 29.95 The Quantity on Hand displayed is as of the Inventory Date indicated. Please contact the store to confirm quantity. Prices subject to change without notice. Select products may be available to customers in limited quantity. Prices include container deposit fees where applicable. Please see store personnel for details. Quantity On Hand: Descending. Product Info City Address and Intersection Inventory Date Quantity On Hand 1. TORONTO-SCARBOROUGH 2356 KENNEDY ROAD KENNEDY & SHEPPARD (AGINCOURT MALL) 416-291-5304 Jun 18, 2014 70 2. BRAMPTON 100 CLEMENTINE DR. MAVIS & STEELES 905-456-2101 Jun 18, 2014 60 3. TORONTO-SCARBOROUGH 21 WILLIAM KITCHEN RD H2 KENNEDY & 401 (KENNEDY COMMONS) 416-297-8178 Jun 18, 2014 60 4. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET QUEENS QUAY & YONGE 416-864-6777 Jun 18, 2014 48 5. MISSISSAUGA 5925 RODEO DRIVE MAVIS & BRITANNIA (HEARTLAND TOWN CTR) 905-568-4064 Jun 18, 2014 48 6. TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 250 THE EAST MALL DUNDAS & HWY 427 (CLOVERDALE) 416-233-6081 Jun 18, 2014 46 7. OTTAWA 275 RIDEAU STREET RIDEAU & KING EDWARD 613-789-5226 Jun 18, 2014 36 8. TORONTO-SCARBOROUGH 4525 KINGSTON ROAD KINGSTON & MORNINGSIDE 416-282-2034 Jun 18, 2014 36 9. TORONTO-CENTRAL 337 SPADINA AVENUE SPADINA & DUNDAS 416-597-0145 Jun 18, 2014 24 10. OAKVILLE 321 CORNWALL ROAD CORNWALL & TRAFALGAR 905-845-8100 Jun 18, 2014 24 11. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 5095 YONGE STREET A4 YONGE & EMPRESS (EMPRESS WALK) 416-226-3949 Jun 18, 2014 12 12. WATERLOO 115 KING STREET SOUTH KING S. & WILLIAM (WATERLOO TOWN SQ) 519-886-4970 Jun 18, 2014 12 13. HAMILTON 233 DUNDURN STREET SOUTH DUNDURN & CHARLETON 905-529-8761 Jun 18, 2014 12 14. TORONTO-CENTRAL 65 WICKSTEED AVENUE EGLINTON & LAIRD 416-425-6282 Jun 18, 2014 12 15. AJAX 1979 SALEM ROAD NORTH SALEM & TAUNTON 905-427-2920 Jun 18, 2014 12 16. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 195 THE DONWAY WEST LAWRENCE & DON MILLS 416-447-0491 Jun 18, 2014 12 17. ST. CATHARINES 311 GENEVA STREET GENEVA & SCOTT (FAIRVIEW MALL) 905-646-1818 Jun 18, 2014 12 18. BRAMPTON 9970 AIRPORT RD., AIRPORT & BOVAIRD 905-792-7010 Jun 18, 2014 12 19. BURLINGTON 501 APPLEBY LINE APPLEBY LINE & NEW STREET 905-639-0337 Jun 18, 2014 12 -- Albert Peres afpe...@3129.ca 416.660.0847 cell
Re: [Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
wines are crushed with human legs which are relished by both Europeans NdAmericans. Why no Konkani brand names. On 6/18/14, roland.francis wrote: > All of the feni being exported to Canada and the USA seems to be distilled > by "Global Spirits and Foods" under various brand names like Kazhkar, Fish & > Feni and Salsa. > > All these brands have the same consistent taste and alcohol purity. The > north American regulators insist that whatever alcohol percentage is > mentioned on the label, must when tested, reflect that percentage or the > whole consignment will be returned as several importing agents have > experienced to their chagrin. > > The buzz around Toronto is that two brands of feni are due to be sold at the > monopoly government store from the 21st. They are already listed on their > website as: > > Big Boss 750ml $29.95 > Fish & Fenny 550ml $35.95 > > I have not heard of the latter brand and wonder what makes it so precious > that less quantity can go for a higher price. > > The liquor authority in Ontario must be, shipping included, getting it at no > more than 6 or 7 CAD per bottle but they have what they call floor pricing > and sell no 750 ml spirits from any part of the world for less than about 25 > CAD no matter the price they got it for. Profits of a billion dollars > actually go to government revenues the majority to the health system. > > In the US there are 2 brands of feni available nationally from a single > California and Texas based Patel owner. He's a great guy to deal with, very > efficient in packing, shipping and pricing and will sometimes ground ship to > any continental US address free of shipping and handling costs. > > He sells the Kazhkar brand as follows: > Cajel 750ml $22.99 > Feni 750ml $29.99 > > I have brought from him and for "sealed bottle" stuff, they are excellent > quality. Country distillers may of course make better stuff, but quality > varies and not fit for or capable of export standards. Human legs crushing > the cashew fruit is definitely not an American idea of quality. > > Does Global Spirits belong to a known Goa liquor firm like PVV or is it a > large independent. Definitely raking in the money by Goa standards. > > Roland. > > > Sent from Samsung Mobile
Re: [Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
On Wed, 6/18/14, roland.francis wrote: The buzz around Toronto is that two brands of feni are due to be sold at the monopoly government store from the 21st. They are already listed on their website as: Big Boss 750ml $29.95 Fish & Fenny 550ml $35.95 I have not heard of the latter brand and wonder what makes it so precious that less quantity can go for a higher price. - Roland, Both brands have been available in Toronto for some time now. I doubt they will last in the stores till the 21st. You do not have to wonder about higher prices. I can tell you with certainty that premium brands command higher prices. Mervyn
[Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
Roland Francis wrote: 1) Human legs crushing the cashew fruit is definitely not an American idea of quality. Cecil: Roland must be knowing that the finest wine is produced by crushing grapes using 'human legs'. And wine is just a fermented drink, not a distilled alcohol like Caju Feni where any possible impurities will be eliminated in the process of distillation. You Canadians are very impressed by American quality standards whereas we Indians know that this is all nonsense and America is only protecting its own alcohol industry from competition. -- Roland: 2) Does Global Spirits belong to a known Goa liquor firm like PVV or is it a large independent. Cecil: It is part of the PVV group and exports only their own brands, to the best of my knowledge. Cheers! ===
[Goanet] Goa Feni in North America
All of the feni being exported to Canada and the USA seems to be distilled by "Global Spirits and Foods" under various brand names like Kazhkar, Fish & Feni and Salsa. All these brands have the same consistent taste and alcohol purity. The north American regulators insist that whatever alcohol percentage is mentioned on the label, must when tested, reflect that percentage or the whole consignment will be returned as several importing agents have experienced to their chagrin. The buzz around Toronto is that two brands of feni are due to be sold at the monopoly government store from the 21st. They are already listed on their website as: Big Boss 750ml $29.95 Fish & Fenny 550ml $35.95 I have not heard of the latter brand and wonder what makes it so precious that less quantity can go for a higher price. The liquor authority in Ontario must be, shipping included, getting it at no more than 6 or 7 CAD per bottle but they have what they call floor pricing and sell no 750 ml spirits from any part of the world for less than about 25 CAD no matter the price they got it for. Profits of a billion dollars actually go to government revenues the majority to the health system. In the US there are 2 brands of feni available nationally from a single California and Texas based Patel owner. He's a great guy to deal with, very efficient in packing, shipping and pricing and will sometimes ground ship to any continental US address free of shipping and handling costs. He sells the Kazhkar brand as follows: Cajel 750ml $22.99 Feni 750ml $29.99 I have brought from him and for "sealed bottle" stuff, they are excellent quality. Country distillers may of course make better stuff, but quality varies and not fit for or capable of export standards. Human legs crushing the cashew fruit is definitely not an American idea of quality. Does Global Spirits belong to a known Goa liquor firm like PVV or is it a large independent. Definitely raking in the money by Goa standards. Roland. Sent from Samsung Mobile
