Tasmac to sell more whisky, brandy, rum made in other states

Chennai: With tourists seeking more choice in their drinks, Tamil Nadu is introducing a wider range of national liquor brands. Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd (Tasmac) will stock familiar, award-winning labels, including popular whiskies, brandies and gins, from across India alongside its regular offerings.Bengaluru-based Amrut Distilleries entered TN with its blended malt whisky, Amrut Amalgam, which won a gold medal at the International Spirits Competition. Tasmac will soon retail Amrut's single malt whisky, Fusion in both imported liquor shops and select regular vending shops, said sources.Similarly, Tilaknagar Industries, which introduced Mansion House Ultra French brandy and Courrier Napoleon Green brandy in the state, is said to be bringing orange and lemon-flavoured brandy under the Mansion House label. Radico Khaitan, which supplies Royal Ranthambore whisky and Jaisalmer gin to Tasmac, is in talks to introduce 8PM whisky, while Pernod Ricard wants to increase its presence with Royal Stag whisky.Though 11 state-based distilleries supply Indian-made foreign liquor to Tasmac, supply from distilleries such as Accord Distillers and Brewers Ltd and Midas Golden Distilleries had stopped over the past few years, resulting in a dearth of liquor brands at Tasmac outlets.Tasmac sources said the ex-distillery price (EDP) for other state brands was reduced to 3,500 for a case (carton box) from 5,000 in 2023, with the intent to bring more variety for consumers and tourists who look for familiar, established brands. "It is working as brands outside TN want to increase their presence here," added the source.Tasmac has invited distilleries in other states to supply Indian-made Scotch whisky, Indian-made whisky, domestic wine, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, tequila, as well as beer brands to the corporation, subject to fulfilling its conditions, including pricing and other fees.