Been drinking fiji kava for 99% of my kava drinking life (not this particular vendor) and its really hit & miss. Ive found the fresher the better....some of it is bloody fantastic & others are throw away stuff. Its a 'trial error' thing for me anyway. That said i can only get it from visitors returning to australia that give me some. I wont drink Lewana, only waka. I dont know anyone that likes lewanas bitter taste & its generally low strength.