New Delhi: Scotch whisky lovers in Delhi may soon have reason to cheer. The excise department has initiated the process of revising liquor prices following the reduction in customs duty under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Industry insiders expect the prices to come down by around 7%.Confirming the development, a senior official said, “The price revision is likely to be considered for approval soon. Initially, liquor at modified prices will be supplied to the HCR (hotels, clubs and restaurants) segment, followed by retail liquor vends. The transition to retail outlets will take some time.”Popular brands that are likely to see a reduction in price are Johnnie Walker Black Label and Double Black, Johnnie Walker Red Label and Glenfiddich 12 Years, among others.The move follows India’s decision to reduce customs duty on imported Scotch whisky bottled in the UK from 150% to 75% under the India-UK FTA, which came into effect on July 15, 2026. The duty is scheduled to decline further to 40% over the next 10 years. The move is aimed at making eligible British products more competitive in the Indian market.In Sept, the excise department had asked wholesalers to submit revised cost cards and applications for lower MRPs. In states like Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and UP, the prices have already been revised and consumers get the liquor at lower prices. The price reduction varies across brands and states, depending on the revised cost structures and local tax regimes.According to an industry insiders, “The revision of prices of imported BIO (bottled-in-origin) liquor products will come into effect only after the existing stocks clear out. The impact on retail prices is expected to be around 7%. The revised-price stocks will enter the market once the existing inventory is exhausted, which is likely to happen after at least the next two weeks.”Industry sources said liquor generally moves through a supply pipeline in which wholesalers and retailers maintain stocks for two to three weeks. Existing stocks, procured under the earlier cost card and carrying the non-revised higher import duty, may continue to be sold at the pre-revised prices, depending on the transition arrangements approved by the excise department.“According to our expectations, the prices of a bouquet of Scotch brands may drop after Diwali but before the wedding season,” said an industry insider.In the second half of Nov, Delhi witnesses high demand for premium liquor at hotels, bars, restaurants and wedding venues.
