Roland Francis wrote: Feni used to be my favorite drink whenever I regularly went to Goa on R&R when I worked in the Gulf - until I saw a Carmona doctor, old and experienced (I forget his name) who told me in no uncertain terms to stop drinking feni. His exact words were "there is no such thing as pure feni in Goa today, no matter who tells you how he personally knows the distiller and where he got it from". Words of wisdom which I took seriously enough to follow.
Cecil Pinto replies: 1) I presume we are talking about Caju Feni. Palm Feni is another topic altogether. 2) An unnamed Carmona doctor decides your choice of alcohol? And where do you get advice on Broadband Internet connections? From the door-to-door vegetable vendor? I suppose your real estate buying decisions are made by the tourist taxi driver. And your opinions on Goan society and culture are formed by who? Gilbert Lawrence? Get real. Everybody and his brother-in-law has expert opinions on everything. To go by amateur advice without crosschecking is dangerous. I have been buying my stock of Caju Feni from the same Siolim based distiller for the last 11 years without any major change in consistency. From Rs. 800/- a 'causo' he has only recently raised the rate to Rs. 1000/- and I have never complained. Occasionally, when highly recommended by knowledgeable connoisseurs known to me, I pick up a 'causo' from other suppliers too and have over the years identified other consistent quality suppliers who I can depend on if my Siolim guy ever stops. As I myself am more an enthusiast than an expert in identifying characteristics of Caju Feni I sometimes take the advice of expert friends who can tell a lot about the nature of the feni from a single sip. I also have cultivated a few such experts whose opinions I can rely on. None of them are doctors, and definitely not from Carmona. -------- Roland Francis: Now my question is: Personally, I would be willing to pay as much for a bottle of 100% pure feni as I would for a bottle of scotch, say Canadian Dollars 40 or its rupee equivalent 1600. Undoubtedly there are several overseas Goans, feni lovers like me who would be willing to pay a like amount. Now tell me at that price would a Goa distiller find it worthwhile to make his liquor? Cecil Pinto: What is 100% pure feni? Who is to decide? There is only genuine and adulterated feni. In the genuine there is good feni and not so good feni. All a matter of taste. My friend Gordon who is also an enthusiast swears by feni from his supplier in Morjim. My other friend Frank thinks his Sanvordem supply is the best. Both are as genuine as my Siolim supplier. Tell me Roland. What is 100% pure whisky? There are different genuine brands that differ in taste. Doesn't make anyone less pure. If you want genuine feni there are hundreds of unbranded distilleries and brands to choose from. I could give you some tips on how to identify good and genuine Caju Feni, as well as some reliable expensive brands, but then you already have an advisor in Carmona and he who stands between two stools falls on the floor. I cannot speak for Goan distillers. I can make you this offer. Next time you are in Goa give me advance notice and I will take you and your expert friend to my residence in Aldona and let you have some of my Siolim stuff. If you like it I will sell it to you at Rs. 1,000/- a bottle. Since I don't want to get into the Caju Feni business, and don't have the time to educate individuals with prejudiced attitudes, you will have to purchase a minimum of 10 bottles to make it worth my while. You should have no problem disposing the additional 9 bottles off to the "several overseas Goans, feni lovers like me who would be willing to pay a like amount". Since you are willing to pay Rs. 1,600/- a bottle you should be richer by Rs. 6,000/- at the end of this tasting, buying and reselling exercise. Cheers! Cecil ========