Excise nod to new range of IMFL

RANCHI: It's good news for liquor lovers as the state excise department has approved the sale of different brands of six Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) including premium blend whisky to beer.
Recently, the department cleared a proposal for the sale of different range of six brands by liquor majors like Beam Global Spirits and Wine, United Spirits, Radico Khaitan, South African Breweries (SAB), Mount Shivalik and Carlsberg.
For the whisky lovers, it will be the Beam Global Spirits and Wine's top selling brand Teacher's Origin, a premium Scotch whisky blend. However, it will pinch a bit on the pocket as the premium product will be available only in 750ml bottle.
The other products of group that got approval was Teacher's Highland Cream Blended Scotch whisky in the category of 1000ml, 375ml and 180ml and Teacher's 50 blended Scotch whisky in the category of 375ml and 180ml. Till now, both the products were available only in 750 ml bottle.
Another brand which was approved for different categories was United Spirits' McDowell No. 1 Platinum, a premium grain-based whisky. It will be there to tantalize alcohol lovers in 750ml, 375ml and 180ml. After Dark, a high demand premium whisky of Radico Khaitan, will also be available in same quantity as McDowell No 1 Platinum.
The department has also taken care of the lovers of light drinks especially those who are fond of beer.
In this segment permission was granted to SAB to sell one of its leading brands in Beer Haywards 5000 in 500ml can which was till now available in bottles.
Similarly, Mount Shivalik got the permission to sell Thunderbolt beer in 500ml can. One of the beer brands which is growing strongly in Jharkhand, Carlsberg Elephanta will also be available for direct purchase along with its premium brand in can.
Deputy commissioner (excise) Bihari Prasad confirmed that brands had been granted permission for the sale of different ranges of liquor in the state. "The approval of the department will allow customers' option to choose from different ranges of liquor which were not available for direct sale in the state," said Prasad.
Sources in the department said the introduction of new brands would not only take care of alcohol lovers but also of the state exchequer. It is expected that the industry will grow by at least 20-25 per cent this fiscal.
"The alcohol industry registered turnover of around Rs 315 crore last financial year and it is likely that touch to cross Rs 400 crore this fiscal with the introduction of new ranges of liquor," said a source.