Hey my lovelies, it’s been a while since I’ve done a review, but I’m back with another so if you like a good spirit, buckle up!

Today I'll be talking about BW Chazea: a Kenyan inspired spirit currently available in the UK (and internationally too). As you may already know, my tolerance for alcohol is decent (thank-you heritage), but was I able to handle the kick from this one? Let’s find out…

Now I’m not as much of a drinker these days but when I do go for something my requirements are as follows: strong and pretty (or both). Sitting at a generous 40% BW Chazea is on the stronger side. As described on their website the drink is “the 5 times distilled traditional beverage, Chang'aa, fermented from Mtama it is dosed with exotic fruits for an alluring experience.” If like me, that went over your head, let me do a little history lesson first because it’s important when talking about this drink (plus a little education never hurt).

When I first got my hands on this to taste, I read out that bit about Chang’aa to my mother and she let out a faint scream and ran away with swiftness. Why, you ask? Well for those not familiar with Chang’aa, a quick google will not come up with anything pleasant! Whilst it hasn’t has the best of reps in Kenya due to some of the processing methods, the original Chang’aa (before the ingredients were compromised and turned into something else) was not that. Therefore, the drink “chang’aa” should not be confused for the drug ‘changa’.

This history of Chang’aa

I’ll keep this as short and sweet as possible because I want to get on to the actual review...

Ite boom! Chang’aa (or changaa) is a popular drink in Kenya. Made as a traditional home-brewed spirit, it’s made through fermentation and distillation of grains such as maize, sorghum, and millet which transforms into a very potent drink (and that’s not cap!). It was actually banned in Kenya until 2010 because toxic chemicals such as petrol (I know!) was being added and it was processed incorrectly to make it stronger. This abuse in production caused a big issue, and like any poorer country, with regulation not being the best and contaminated equipment being used it was the vulnerable that suffered due to it being marketed in the lower price end.

Today, Chang’aa is legalised again in Kenya and the government have said that under new law, “chang'aa must be manufactured, distributed and sold in glass bottles, and retailers must display health warning signs” with fines and punishments in place to prevent future abuse.

Ok. History lesson done… Back to the UK.

Now let’s talk about BW Cheazea! Made from a Kenyan recipe and, produced and REGULATED in the UK (so you know that stuff is legit) - this is a spin on the traditional (forbidden) drink!

As a Kenyan-owned brand, this drink was made to cultivate traditions and present Chang’aa as made “the right way”. When talking to King’Ori Wambaki - the man behind this brand, Bandari Ya Pombe, it was clear that he was very passionate about the art of distilling and reviving traditional Kenyan drinks whilst sharing it with the world. This is actually his second drink, with his first being his twist on “muratina” - a traditional Kenyan wine.

THE PRODUCT

The design of the bottle highlights the strength of the drink… It’s short but powerful. Packaged nicely in a glass bottle with a good lip (I like a good lip…cheeky), and a corked top with an excellent “pop”, this design makes for a seamless pour and a professional finish. The milky colour of the spirit contrasts nicely with the font and design on the bottle. My only criticism is that the label is a plastic sticker, and in my personal opinion, if this could be engraved instead it would elevate the overall finish. The UK regulation sticker is clearly marked (pls we can’t be playing about after that history lesson) and the top could have a glass finish too but it works for now. The bottle is recyclable for those eco-conscious and in a way, the peelable sticker means that you can re-purpose it with no wahala! Win-win.

The smell and taste test…

I like the smell. It smells almost like a potion (not that I know what that would smell like but you get the gist!). It’s sweet, strong and smells almost like a perfume…that must be due to the 5 times distilling lol. It’s potent for sure but gives off a tropical feel.

The taste is a hard one to pin-point because it’s not quite like anything I have tasted before but similar to a few things. One thing I can tell you for sure is it’s got a kick! When you first take a sip, you can taste the sweetness… and a coconut-type taste then you have the methylated spirit kick instantly afterwards. As you know, I try to try new alcohols with seasoned drinkers so I roped in my Zim uncle for this one! He knows about chang’aa and can hold his own. In his opinion, it reminded him of a Grants whisky (in terms of punch) with a zesty finish. For me, it’s like a white spirit similar to Vodka (and even the duty sticker at the back says Vodka so i’m not wrong in drawing to it’s similarities). HOWEVER, when I really thought about the taste I relalised that it’s giving me RAKI vibes. For all my Eastern Europeans you’ll know what I’m talking about! It’s got the punch, the look, the sweetness. I’d say it’s like a Kenyan version of Raki. Since it’s a corn-based spirit though, you could compare it to a bourbon as they’re both corn-based. Like I said… it’s not easy to pinpoint the taste exactly but it’s pleasant.

BW Chazea is made infused with passion fruit which is what gives it it’s sweeter taste. It’s a smooth drink and goes down well, but it does have a slight aftertaste. I drank it on the rocks at first because I like to drink spirits neat, but note that like any spirit it’ll be harsh. If you’re not someone who prefers neat then a chase to compliment works really nicely.

Recommended mixes:

This goes well with Sun exotic pineapple and coconut or a good tropical juice. I’ve tried it with pineapple and it works well and I can imagine mango is a great flavour too! It also makes for a good cocktail, so if you like a sweet but strong cocktail, this is a great alcohol base to use and you could make some great cocktails from this drink and play around with flavours.

The great thing is that a little alcohol goes a long way; you don’t need a massive amount to still taste the alcohol. It would be great for a gathering or party and is definitely one to be enjoyed with others. I still need to try it mixed with different flavours so guys feel free to send your girl (ahem me) another bottle so I can play around with it!

If you want a drink that can get you feeling warm and wavy quickly, or you just want a good tropical drink then this is your spirit! I’m personally a dark spirit type of girl so I’m never usually a superfan of white spirits but this one just about makes the cut… that is a compliment I promise.

You can order the drink online here. There are a few stores stocking the drink too which you can see on their instagram. You can also check out the Trustpilot reviews here.

Rating: 3.5/5 just because it may be a bit too potent for some AND I'm not typically a white-spirit gyal… (but you white-spirit lovers will rate it higher).

If you’ve tried it already let me know what you think and if you haven’t, it’s only £25 a bottle (or £100 for 6 if you like a bargain *wink*). It’s cheaper, cheerful, and does a wonderful job.

P.S - remember this is for those 18+ ONLY. Please drink responsibly!

Liz x

BW Chazea: A drink with a kick!

THE PRODUCT

The smell and taste test…