Tuesday Tasting: Fenny, or is it Feni?

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we try some fenny from a friend.

When you write about drinks for a living, your friends and business associates constantly ask the question, “Hey, have you ever tried…?” More often than not, after 25 years of chasing down new drinks, the answer is yes. Occasionally, someone stumps me. On a recent visit to my home, a close friend who now lives in India, Kiran Shah, hit the jackpot with a drink called fenny.

Fenny (also called “feni”) is an Indian specialty made from coconut or cashew apples. The raw ingredients are crushed using a giant stone grinder, and the juice is distilled in a pot called a “bhann” using a wood fire. Traditionally, the best fenny comes from Goa.

Big Boss Coconut Fenny is clear with an alcohol aroma. It has a mellow flavor with a slight hint of burnt sugar around the edge. There was a fleeting spice note, perhaps nutmeg.

Maravilha de Goa Caju Feni is made from the cashew apple. It is a pale, off-yellow hue with a slight hint of alcohol at first sniff. It is rougher around the edges, with a bitter nut and pear skin flavor profile.