Archive · 6 Dec 2025
Storytelling Key to Appreciate India's Craft Spirits
India has a rich history of craft spirits, like feni, which is made from cashew fruit.
A man named Hansel Vaz introduced feni at a special place called The Good Craft Co (TGCC) Flavour Lab in Bengaluru.
He talked about how feni is different and why it's important to share its story.
Feni is made in a traditional way using earthen pots and pot stills.
At TGCC, people can taste different kinds of feni and learn about how it's made.
They also have workshops where they teach about the ingredients and the stories behind these spirits.
A company called Diageo India created TGCC to help people understand and appreciate these unique Indian spirits better.
Feni, a 400-year-old indigenous spirit from Goa, was introduced at The Good Craft Co (TGCC) Flavour Lab in Bengaluru by Hansel Vaz, founder of Cazulo Premium Feni.
Feni is made from ripe cashew fruit crushed to extract juice, fermented naturally in earthen pots, and distilled in traditional pot stills to produce a 40% alcohol spirit.
TGCC's Flavour Lab offers workshops focusing on the ingredients, unique processes, and untold stories behind India's craft spirits, with storytelling being a key element in appreciating them.
Diageo India created TGCC to help spirits startups and promote indigenous spirits like feni, toddy, and mahua, providing technical assistance and marketability support.
The lab features a 'Living Wall of Flavours' with 68 living ferments created by Payal Shah, which add complexity and depth to the cocktails served at TGCC.
- Who
- Hansel Vaz, founder of Cazulo Premium Feni, and Diageo India
- What
- Introduction and appreciation of India's craft spirits, specifically feni, through storytelling and workshops
- When
- Late last month (specific date not mentioned), with sessions held on Saturdays
- Where
- The Good Craft Co (TGCC) Flavour Lab in Bengaluru
- Why
- To showcase and promote India's indigenous spirits, highlighting their unique processes and untold stories
- Spirit Introduced
- Feni
- Founder of Cazulo Premium Feni
- Hansel Vaz
- Location of The Good Craft Co (TGCC) Flavour Lab
- Bengaluru
- Feni's Alcohol Content
- 40%
- TGCC's Chief Innovation Officer
- Vikram Damodaran
- TGCC's Size
- 17,500 sq feet
- TGCC's Soft Launch Date
- September 2024
- TGCC's Consultant for Fermentation
- Payal Shah