2018 Kava Awards?

[Kojo Douglas]

Since I'm not doing these anymore, I'd be curious to know what people think about 2018. For me, the most impressive changes came with a rise and regularity in quality Fijian Kava (Kava Vinaka, for example).

There were a lot of new actors in the scene that I didn't get to know because I've been back in Africa for 10 months now. Who were some of the new standouts?

 

[Intrepidus_dux]

Melo melo was fun there for awhile. I really like the recent batch of Mahakea. Fiji Fresh waka was good too.

 

[The Kap'n]

My vote is for Ambae - Kava Time

It was a throwback to times of old. I still have one brick of it, and I intend on saving it for a special occasion.

 

[sɥɐʞɐs]

Fiji Fresh waka was a standout, there was a sudden flood of good Melo Melo from several vendors after that volcano went off, Root of Happiness started selling fresh 'awa. I tried a few new brands that I came across on eBay, Amazon and Instagram...none were impressive but weren't terrible either. I found some fresh Isa on Instagram, but it sold out so quick I didn't get any. I started buying more kavas like 5 Star and Nambawan, I'm finding them to be delightfully effective with reduced side-effects. They're expensive, but at least they actually work at a reasonable dose. Most of the time, I still buy my local mystery waka or tongan root from the tongans around here...and mix with Wakacon waka. (which seems to have gotten a little weaker this year)

 

[Travis]

I liked the canopy botanicals kavas I tried. They were potent and averagely priced. But haven't ordered from them again after they stopped accepting money as form of payment.

 

[fait]

My vote is for Ambae - Kava Time

I was puzzled when I heard people talking about Ambae kava. When I hopped back on here regularly, I was aware of the eruption of the volcano at Ambae that prompted evacuation of the island. I wasn't sure if someone mentioned a batch they bought prior to the eruption or what. Is the kava that was grown there unique to that island or is what was grown there also grown on other islands?

 

[The Kap'n]

I was puzzled when I heard people talking about Ambae kava. When I hopped back on here regularly, I was aware of the eruption of the volcano at Ambae that prompted evacuation of the island. I wasn't sure if someone mentioned a batch they bought prior to the eruption or what. Is the kava that was grown there unique to that island or is what was grown there also grown on other islands?

That was the story on the first batch. I'm not sure if they had more on hand, or maybe they're growing the same strains off of the island, but yes it was very much off limits until now. In fact it looks like they're opening it back up currently.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/internati...7/vanuatu-government-approves-return-to-ambae

I think that's my favorite heavy hitter of 2018. In terms of vendor, and brand awareness as well as product consistency, Kalm with Kava sits on the top of that list for 2018. I think that can be attributed to the many kava bars that now serve KWK products as well as his recognition on social media, reddit and amazon.

Highest quality extract of 2018 would be BKH for his new product.

FijiFreshKava - Most artisan product. Hand pounded waka was fantastic.

Gourmet Hawaiian Kava - Most generous kava sales.

I've not been too deeply in the loop this last year, but 2019 leaves a whole 343 days to sample more

 

[Zaphod]

(1)I am going to say that FijiFreshkava was a delightful new comer. I only tried the waka and it was a real head ringer. Wish I could have gotten more.
(2) The last few batches of Nambawan have been stellar. Very relaxing.
(3) RoH deserves a shout out for attempting the fresh kava delivery. I have not tried it and it still has some kinks to work out, but any vendor trying something new should be commended.
(4) Squanch and GHK continue to deliver solid kava, at a great price....but this is not something new to 2018, this is just a constant.

 

[fait]

https://www.radionz.co.nz/internati...7/vanuatu-government-approves-return-to-ambae

Takka for this!

(4) Squanch and GHK continue to deliver solid kava, at a great price....but this is not something new to 2018, this is just a constant.

Consistency is something that should be applauded. Squanch and GHK would not be considered great vendors if they have glaring problems with service, their products, or any other curve ball they couldn't handle. Ultimately people want change for the better but when that's not possible or not even desirable (because "better/best" is a very subjective term), it's great when a vendor doesn't make things worse.

 

[Paul Peno]

Well I am pretty much a newcomer to Kava but ive tried a few so far.
Tongan Family Reserve
Squanch
Kavafied Supreme
Kavafied Tongan
Nambawan
BKH Borogu

My favourites so far have been Squanch, Supreme and Nambawan.

Infact, Supreme mixed with Nambawan is lovely, that's what I'm drinking tonight.

 

[jim lahey]

Definitely for my #1 the (now going to be) regular offered fresh frozen from ROH, even though it isn't as strong as i like, the taste is much better than dry powder. #2 would have to goto Ambae kava from Kava time. If im not mistaken it comes from Fiji and it has been the only kava from Fiji to actually get me krunk. I tend to love vanuatu kava.

 

[_byron]

Fiji Fresh Kava, BHK Co2, RoH Fresh kava , and Ambae kava from Kavatime are my nominees for new products of 2018.

FYI, Ambae's kava is still available and imo the same quality. Very oily grog.

 

[nabanga]

I was puzzled when I heard people talking about Ambae kava. When I hopped back on here regularly, I was aware of the eruption of the volcano at Ambae that prompted evacuation of the island. I wasn't sure if someone mentioned a batch they bought prior to the eruption or what. Is the kava that was grown there unique to that island or is what was grown there also grown on other islands?

There was a relative "flood" of ambae melomelo last year as everyone pulled whatever they had in the ground before leaving, however old. It also grows on neighbouring maewo but as the population of that island just doubled, there probably isnt enough to export.

My vote would be for 5 star. Whilst I don't have access to all the vendors you do in the US, 5-star is the best dry kava I've come across in 25 years - strong and clean.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

Since I'm not doing these anymore, I'd be curious to know what people think about 2018. For me, the most impressive changes came with a rise and regularity in quality Fijian Kava (Kava Vinaka, for example).

There were a lot of new actors in the scene that I didn't get to know because I've been back in Africa for 10 months now. Who were some of the new standouts?

IMO best new kava of 2018 was the Fiji Fresh Lawena.

Also, though the price of Tikaram's Kava Tonga went up, I found the quality did as well and it is now quite acceptable for plain old drinking or, as always, mixing with Fijian waka, a blend I find most delightful, on as many occasions as I can engineer.

 

[Atticus]

Is there a way that we could create a voting type of thing where all the forum members vote for categories for each year awards?

 

[Smoi]

Hello all
I am usually Ballin. Sometimes traditional prep. But I started out some years back with micro. Lately ive really enjoyed it again. So ide like to see what the micro lovers are loving. My standby is KWK loa waka. Strong and taste and smells delightful. Samoan is good. Pouni ono is great. Taste and smell are great. Ill usually start with Pouni ono and slowly change over to loa waka. Or half loa, half pouni for just a pinch more headiness. GHK like usuall has great medium and micro. Cactus is good....just a little bit less potent, but Ono is a staple in my house. 11 yr waka, ive only had once. Strong with a different taste. But good. My vote goes to Kwk loa waka. Micro anyway. Any micro lovers have a opinion on the micros out there?

 

[Smoi]

And my apologies to Kojo Douglas. I know your not the biggest micro fan. Chiefs choice, kava Tonga, mahakea, and maybe Nangol all pretty new to me, and very good grind. In some part due to Kavasseur. So thank you.

 

[Kojo Douglas]

Lol. No, I’m not a big fan of micro. I’m pretty strictly traditional prep only these days

 

[readyman]

anyone tried the flavored kavas from kavatime

 

[Skywalker]

Yeah micro kills my skin and makes me puke. No. Bueno.

I think that’s why I left kava for three years. I had a teensy bit of micro left from three years ago. Oh my. It didn’t agree with me.