World First: 83 Islands Distillery Launches Faea Kava Spiced Rum

83 Islands Distillery, Vanuatu's first craft rum distillery, has released Faea Kava Spiced Rum — a world-first spirit that brings together the Pacific's most distinctive flavours in a single bottle. After years of development and refinement, this groundbreaking release combines noble kava, locally grown habanero chilli, and aged rum to create a spirit unlike anything else on the market.

The name "Faea" (pronounced fay-ah) comes from Bislama, Vanuatu's national language, meaning "fire" — a fitting tribute to both the volcanic origins of these islands and the spirit's gentle warmth.

From Experiment to Excellence

The journey to Faea began several years ago when 83 Islands released a limited run of just 100 bottles featuring kava-infused rum. The response was overwhelming — customers loved it, and the bottles sold out quickly. But the distillery team knew they could do better.

"We received incredible feedback from that first release, but we weren't satisfied with the process," explains Pierre-Luc Chabot, co-founder of 83 Islands Distillery. "We spent years perfecting every aspect of the extraction and infusion to create something truly exceptional."

A Refined Process

The new Faea Kava represents a significant leap forward in production technique. The distillery developed a water-based kava extraction method followed by centrifuge filtration, resulting in a cleaner, more refined infusion that captures kava's subtle earthy character without any harsh notes.

The habanero chillies are grown in the distiller's own garden, ensuring complete control over quality and freshness. A final vacuum distillation step extracts delicate floral notes from the botanical blend, adding complexity while maintaining balance.

The result is a spirit that delivers gentle warmth from the chilli, an earthy depth from the kava, and the rich, tropical character of Vanuatu rum — all in perfect harmony.

The Kava Experience

Kava holds deep cultural significance in Vanuatu and throughout the Pacific. The root has been used for centuries in ceremonial and social contexts, prized for its relaxing properties.

For most people, the kava in Faea provides subtle earthy undertones that complement the rum's natural sweetness and the chilli's warmth. However, those familiar with traditional kava will recognise its distinctive presence — particularly if they allow the spirit to linger on the tongue, where the gentle numbing sensation from kava's active compounds becomes apparent.

Important Considerations

83 Islands Distillery advises consumers to enjoy Faea Kava Spiced Rum responsibly. While the kava content is not enough to produce a strong effect on its own, combining alcohol and kava may increase intoxication and impairment. It may also elevate the risk of liver harm, particularly for heavy drinkers or those with pre-existing liver conditions.

The spirit is best enjoyed slowly, either neat or on the rocks, to fully appreciate the complexity of flavours and the unique experience that only Faea can deliver.

A World First from the Pacific

Faea Kava Spiced Rum represents more than just a new product — it's a celebration of Vanuatu's unique terroir and cultural heritage. By combining ingredients that could only come together in these islands, 83 Islands Distillery has created something genuinely unprecedented in the spirits world.

The release is now available at the 83 Islands Distillery tasting bar in Port Vila and will be available through select retailers in Port Vila by the start of 2026.