Karan Sehgal
PANAJI
Notwithstanding it’s tropical humidity as a major advantage for whiskey making, Goa is home to some of the finest whiskeys being made here adding also to the list of number of whiskey, rum and vodkas being manufactured in the country.
A number of foreign whiskey, rum and vodka brands, which until recently, were being imported from other countries are now being made in India. Goa also figures in the list of destinations where these are manufactured.
As a result, local manufacturing of alcohol has received a boost and also the price of these brands has come down by a huge margin because they are locally made. In other words, whether you love Indian economy or your peg, there is something for you to cheer!
As per data shared by the Excise Commissioner of Goa, Amit Satija, share of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) increased by 5.2% in four years in State’s excise revenue. IMFL includes all kinds of hard liquor like whiskey, rum, vodka and gin but not indigenously
manufactured alcohol like feni and urrak, which are classified as country liquor.
IMFL contributed 40% to Goa’s excise earnings in 2013-14, which jumped to 45.2% in 2017-18. Other contributors to excise are beer, foreign liquor, license fees, cess and country liquor.
While share of IMFL increased, share of foreign liquor (or imported brands) in State’s excise revenue came down from 4.9% in 2013-14 to 2.3% in 2017-18. In simpler words, contribution of imported alcohol dropped by more than 50%.
Further a study by The Goan revealed that a number of premium whiskey brands, which were being imported, are now being made in India itself. Due to this, share of IMFL has increased but that of foreign liquor has come down.
In the last few years, a number of premium whiskey brands like Dewar’s White Label, Johnnie Walker, Grant’s Distinction Blended Scotch Whiskey, Enso Japanese Whiskey and several others have started getting bottled in India itself. In fact, Enso Japanese Whiskey is getting bottled in Goa at a plant.
Dattaprasad Naik, President of Goa Liquor Traders Association, said, “Many foreign brands of alcohol are now being made in India. This is the reason that the share of IMFL in excise earnings has gone up and that of foreign liquor has fallen. The companies import whiskey in barrels and bottle it in India. As a result, price of such brands has declined significantly. It has also created jobs for people.”
A liquor store owner said, “When Grant’s Distinction Blended Scotch Whiskey was being imported from outside, its price was around Rs 1,700 for a 750 ml bottle. Now that it is getting bottled in India, its price is Rs 1,275 per bottle.”
Lovers of premium whiskey can’t complain because their much-loved brands have become more affordable. For example: Dewar’s White Label was being made in Scotland earlier. But now, it is being made in India, which has made it more affordable to the consumers.
Vivek Kerkar, proprietor, Liquid Gold (distributor of alcohol) said, “Another reason has also contributed to decline in foreign liquor’s share. As per a rule of FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), you have to register each and every brand of liquor you import. As a result, distributors have moved away from foreign liquor a bit.”
Interestingly, the share of beer in Goa’s excise earnings stood at 29% both in 2013-14 and in 2017-18. Share of country liquor (feni) stood at a miniscule 0.5% in 2017-18.
