Move over whisky, Maharaja Drinks Indian Heritage collection includes world’s only flower-based spirit

Maharaja Drinks is expanding its remit beyond craft imports with the launch of a new Indian Heritage Spirits category, bringing a selection of traditional distillates, some rarely seen outside their home regions, to the UK for the first time.

In the spotlight are Feni, long associated with Goa, and Mahua, drawn from India’s forest heartlands. 

As Annabel Jamieson, CEO of Maharaja Drinks, puts it: “India is home to an extraordinary range of heritage spirits, each rooted in centuries of craftsmanship and storytelling. Today, there’s a growing appetite among consumers and bartenders to explore these authentic native flavours.”

The launch builds on growing interest in Indian whisky, and coincides with an expansion of Maharaja Drinks’ wider portfolio, including Indian vermouths and liqueurs.

India is home to an extraordinary range of heritage spirits, each rooted in centuries of craftsmanship and storytelling…

Goenchi Feni Cashew and Coconut expressions

The launch includes two expressions from Goenchi Feni, a family-run producer based in Goa. Founded by siblings Yash and Tulika Sawardekar, the brand adheres closely to traditional methods, using 100 per cent copper pot stills and a single natural ingredientin each spirit.

The Cashew Feni is made from the juice of cashew apples, fermented and double-distilled in small batches. It carries a distinctive aromatic profile, with a gently fruity nose that leans towards tropical orchard notes, followed by a dry, slightly earthy finish that speaks to its rustic origins.

The Coconut Feni, distilled from coconut palm sap, offers a different expression of the same heritage. It is lighter on the nose, with a faint sweetness and a clean, almost saline edge that lingers on the palate. Both sit at 40% ABV and retain a clarity of flavour that reflects their minimal intervention production.

Yash Sawardekar describes the spirit as “a true expression of our land and culture,” adding that expanding into markets such as the UK is an opportunity to “reintroduce Feni as a spirit worthy of recognition.”

Ouro De Goa Spiced Cashew Feni

Also representing Goa is Ouro De Goa, produced by the Goa Heritage Distillery. This third-generation operation takes a slightly different approach, layering spice and maturation onto the traditional Feni base.

The spirit begins with sun-ripened cashew fruit, fermented naturally using ambient yeasts before being distilled in copper pot stills. It is then matured for at least six months, allowing the flavours to settle and develop.

The result is a more rounded and complex profile. There is an immediate warmth on the nose, with hints of spice, ginger and cardamom suggested by the distillery’s biodiverse surroundings, followed by a richer, fuller palate. The cashew fruit character remains present but is framed by a gentle sweetness and a lingering, spiced finish. Bottled at 42.8% ABV, it lends itself equally to sipping or experimentation in cocktails.

Ashok Malkarnekar, founder of the distillery, describes Cashew Feni as “a world-class beverage, which is yet to find its place on global beverage maps,” noting its growing appeal among mixologists and chefs.

DesmondJi Mahua spirit

Perhaps the most intriguing of the new arrivals is the Mahua spirit from DesmondJi (producer of Indian agave spirit, Ayam). Unlike grain- or fruit-based spirits, Mahua is distilled from the naturally sweet flowers of the Mahua tree, long considered sacred among India’s indigenous communities.

Produced in Andhra Pradesh using artisanal pot stills, the process begins with the collection and drying of the flowers before fermentation and distillation. The resulting spirit, bottled at 40% ABV, is unlike anything commonly found in Western bars.

On the nose, Mahua offers a delicate floral sweetness, almost perfumed but grounded by an earthy undertone. The palate is soft and rounded, with notes that suggest honeyed blossom and subtle spice, finishing with a gentle warmth that lingers rather than asserts itself.

Founder Desmond Nazareth calls it “a national treasure of India that has been hidden in plain sight,” adding that it is “the world’s only flower-based spirit.” There is a sense that Mahua’s re-emergence is as much cultural as it is commercial, a revival of something long overlooked.

The Indian Heritage Spirits range is available exclusively through Maharaja Drinks in the UK. Goenchi Cashew Feni and Coconut Feni are priced at £37 each, while Ouro De Goa sells for £48. DesmondJi Mahua Spirit is priced at £37.