1 / 12What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Goa? The long night outs, the going back home tipsy, right? And the occasional requesting that friend to carry some bottles of alcohol back for you to open on a special occasion. Although you cannot carry alcohol out of the coastal by rail and road, you can carry a limited amount via air. But if you’re not sure of what spirits to bring back home to enjoy with friends, worry not. (Image: Rosewood Hotels)
2 / 12The CNBC-TV18 Travel Desk has handpicked 10 best spirits to carry home after you’ve enjoyed that special holiday on the scenic shores of Goa. One reason why people carry alcohol from the sunny state is because it is cheaper than purchasing the same bottle in other states like Maharashtra. Next time you return from the party capital of India, ensure you carry at least a few of the 10 brands mentioned below. Note: Consumption of alcohol is injurious to health, drink responsibly. Here's a look at alcoholic brands to buy from Goa.
3 / 121. Rahasya vodka | The latest entrant to the Goan alcohol scene, Rahasya Vodka is India-inspired and comes in flavours and aromas that allude to stories of this country's heritage and tradition. A 750 ml of this Rahasya vodka will cost around Rs 850.
4 / 122. Kadamba whisky | Known for recently clinching the title of the 'Best Indian Single-Malt Whisky', you can bring a 750 ml bottle of Kadamba whisky from Goa at just Rs 2,200. (Image: Amit B)
5 / 123. Pipa Rum | This rum is said to have a mix of toasted hazelnuts and figs and comes with a smooth captivating palate, like that of dark chocolate and sea-salt dusting. The bottle starts at Rs 3,000.
6 / 124. Makazai Gold Rum | Another bottle to bring from Goa is the Makazai Gold Rum. A high-quality drink produced on the Goan seashore, it has a mix of figs, honey, and cinnamon, creating a symphony of notes with a creamy mouthful with a vanilla accent.
7 / 125. Seqer Gin | This is another popular alcohol that one can bring from Goa. It has a nose of Juniper, nutmeg, and fresh rosemary leaves, tasting mild and herbaceous. The drink has a hint of cardamom and orange peel aftertaste. A single 750 ml bottle comes for Rs 1,350.
8 / 126. Earth Rum | Another Goan flavour alcohol is Earth Rum. A layer of spice spirit with the drink will make one forget the basic rum-coke combination. It has refreshing notes of amber and clove and each 750 ml bottle comes for Rs 1,350.
9 / 127. Woodburns whisky | Another popular Goan alcohol to bring back from your next trip is the Woodburns Whisky, which comes with a smoky flavour and balanced peated malt finish. It is prepared with all Indian ingredients with no hints of foreign malts or scotch from outside the country.
10 / 128. Goenchi Feni | Goenchi in Konkani means ‘of Goa’, a fitting name for this new artisanal feni brand that is inherently Goan. Founded by siblings Yash and Tulika Sawardekar, the feni is double-distilled in small batches in traditional 100% copper stills, and made with a closely guarded family recipe. The brand has two versions of feni—coconut and cashew. The former has tasting notes of tender coconut water, sea salt and green chilli with a sweet floral finish, while the latter has more fruity flavours like jackfruit, pineapple and guava cheese with green pepper. The coconut feni is best served chilled with tonic water or soda and a twist of lime, while the cashew feni goes great with a lemon soda and an orange twist. Available in Goa (from Rs1,500).
11 / 129. Vinho Fontainhas | Reuben Coutinho and Tanishq Palekar have launched Goan-made port wine called Vinho Fontainhas, named after the famous Latin Quarters of Panjim. Yep, the same area with cobbled paths, colonial architecture and colourful lanes that speak volumes about the heritage! The wine they have churned out is a recipe that has been with the Coutinho family for generations. The secret recipe was passed down to the next generation and Reuben is bringing that heritage drink to the masses. Since the rum and whisky markets are already saturated, the two lads thought of bringing back a product that symbolises a slice of Goan history in a bottle.
12 / 1210. San Andre’s Liqueur | The finest Indian coffee beans are roasted, extracted, and expertly blended with chosen secret ingredients to create this exotic coffee liqueur, according to the Tonia Group.
