FOREIGN LIQUOR BOOM GURGAON

 RIDING THE L-1 BOOM

India holds the dubious distinction of the largest consumer of whisky in the world. Yet it has States that have proclaimed Prohibition and enforce it. The complexities of marketing whisky, or any spirit for that matter, are daunting. They are not helped by the vagaries and vicissitudes of culture-bound States, or so they say. The plethora of executable wine laws in India is applicable not only for importers, producers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs, all of whom come under the umbrella of licensing, but also the consumer. As may be expected, every State has its own laws for the storage of wine and alcohol, with listed specifications of ‘permissible possession’. Gurgaon has witnessed an explosion in the number of stores selling both Indian and imported liquor under the L-1 classification. Currently, over 60 stores are operating as L-1 merchants. You cannot drive more than one km in Gurgaon without coming across a bright and glaringly prominent L-1 store.

L-1 LICENCE

L-1 Licences are reserved for bulk sellers. Every now and then, State Governments formulate their Excise Policy and approve the Terms & Conditions for grant of L-1 licenses. In pursuance to this policy and the approved terms & conditions, licences in form L-1 are granted for the wholesale supply of Indian and imported liquor. The bulk sellers have to go through various procedures and costs, none of which are relevant to you, the consumer.

L-50 LICENCE

A licence, called the L 50 (Mini-Bar) licence was introduced for the general public’s personal consumption, for two separate segments, valid for either one year or for a lifetime. The L-50 or Mini-Bar Licence, as applicable to the general public, can be obtained for one year for Rs 1,500 for both Delhi and Gurgaon. In Gurgaon, the life-time licence will cost Rs 10,000, a reduction by 50% of the extant ‘home’ licence. There has been no similar reduction in Delhi.

Under the licence for the mini bar, residents in Gurgaon can store ~120 liquor bottles at home, assuming you are married. For relatives staying with you above the age of 25, add 60 more per head. Residents can also apply online for this licence, which was introduced last year. The step was taken after a dip in demand for the licence, as observed by officials in the Excise Department. The minimum age to obtain a lifetime liquor licence is 25 years.

Specific rules have been codified in the State Excise Rules, stipulating quantities of liquor that may be held at home legally and penalties for exceeding the quantity. For instance, Rule 20 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, stipulates the maximum limit for retail sale and individual possession of liquor. Violation of this Rule entails an offence under Section 33 of the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, which is punishable with imprisonment for a maximum term of three years and a fine which is not less than Rs. 50,000/-, but may extend to Rs. 1,00,000/-.

The Delhi High Court interpreted this law while delivering a judgement only last week. The relevant portion of Rule 20 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, has been reproduced as under:

“20. Maximum limit for retail sale and individual possession of liquor: The maximum quantities of intoxicants specified below, which for the purposes of the Act, may be sold by retail and possessed exclusively, by an individual not below the age of twenty five years in Delhi, shall be as follows:—

Indian Liquor and Foreign Liquor

(i) INDIAN AND FOREIGN LIQUOR (Whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and brandy), except wine, liqueur, beer, cider and alcopop: Nine litres

(ii) Wine, beer, liqueur, cider and alcopop: Eighteen litres

(iii) Indian Liquor or Foreign Liquor: One litre while entering into Delhi from other States;

(iv) Foreign Liquor: Two litres while entering into Delhi from other countries.

* These quantities are Per Person (>25 years old)

**It is illegal to carry more than ONE bottle of liquor into Delhi from any part of the country. This is more than true for rampant import from Gurgaon, as has been happening these past six months. 

***If you would like to hold more liquor at home, then you have to apply for the same on Licence No L-49 with additional charges depending on the quantity, but not below Rs 2,000.

Haryana: Gurgaon is so much better for massive amounts of private possession of alcohol (yay Millenium City!). Get yourself L-50 lifetime permission and stock up. You can stock up to 6 bottles (750 ml each) of country liquor, 18 bottles (750 ml each) of IMFL liquor, out of which maximum 6 bottles can be of Imported Foreign Liquor, 12 bottles (650 ml each) of beer, 6 bottles (750 ml each) of rum, 12 bottles of wine, and 6 bottles (750 ml each) of vodka/gin/cider.

NOIDA: I’m afraid NOIDA types will have to grin and bear it. The limit is presently capped at 1.5 litres of country-made alcohol, 1.5 litres of IMFL and 4 bottles of beer. Once the Noida International Greenfield Airport comes up at Jewar, this limit could go up to 2.0 litres of IMFL or 2.0 litres of imported alcohol. Mr Saffron will probably play ball.

Bangalore: Decent quantities. Permissible limits are 18.2 litres of country beer, 9.1 litres of imported foreign liquor, 4.5 litres of fortified wine, 9 litres of fruit wine, 2.3 litres of liquor manufactured in Karnataka (excluding imported Foreign liquor), and 2.5 litres of toddy (in the areas where public sale of toddy is allowed, i.e., D. Kannada and Udupi Districts).

Maharashtra: Basically, the Mumbai Pune types are screwed. Ex-Defence Forces officers will have a special quota dependent on rank. For the hoi polloi, If their age allows them to drink liquor in Maharashtra, they need a license for it. A permit is required for purchase, possession, transport and consumption of liquor, and is applicable to both foreign and country liquor.. One's committing an offence if one consumes liquor without such a permit. 

Please do not go by my selections in certain cases. I have accumulated this stock starting 1989. I do not drink much, so I prefer brands that suit my needs, forget the price. Do feel free to make your own decisions. Just make sure you get Value For Money (VFM).

WHISKY: SINGLE MALT				PRICES IN GURGAON  L1 SHOPS
	No	BRAND NAME AND REC		Discovery	G Town	Lake Forest	REMARKS
	1	ABERFELDY 12 YO	√	3000	3000	3000	GOOD BUY
	2	ABERFELDY 14 YO	X				12 YO OK
	3	ABERLOUR 12 YO	X	3200	3500	3500	DECENT BUY
	4	ABERLOUR 15 YO	X	5200	5500	5600	OPTIONAL
	5	ABERLOUR 16 YO	√	6000	NA	6500	GOOD BUY
	6	ABERLOUR  18 YO	X	NA                                16000                         OVERPRICED
	7	ARDBEG 10 YO	√	5500	5500	5500	GOOD BUY
	8	ARDBEG WEE BEASTIE 5 YO	X	5500	5700	3900	NOT WORTH IT
	9	ARDMORE 12 YO	X	2300	2500	2700	DISAPPOINTS
	10	AUCHENTOSHAN 12 YO	√	3100	3200	3200	MILD WHISKY
	11	AULTMORE 12 YO	√	4200	4000	4200	MUST BUY
	12	AULTMORE 14 YO	√	5100	NA	NA	GOOD BUY
	13	BALBLAIR 12 YO	X	8000	8000	NOT VALUE FOR MONEY (NVFM)
	14	BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 12	X	> Rs 6,200. 40% ABV; PRICES JACKED UP 75%; NVFM
	15	BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 14	X	> Rs 8,000. 40% ABV TOO LOW. BUY MONKEY SHOULDER INSTEAD
	16	BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 17	X	> Rs 18,000; 40% ABV NVFM
	17	BALVENIE   TRIPLECASK 12 1L	X	TRAVEL EDITION AT 40% ABV NVFM
	18	BALVENIE16 TRIPLE CASK 1L	X	TRAVEL EDITION AT 40% ABV  NVFM
	19	BENRIACH 12 YO	X	NA	NA	6,500	PRICEY
	20	BOWMORE 12 YO 70CL 40%	X	2700	2700	2800	AVOID
	21	BOWMORE 15 YO 70CL 43%	√	4000	4200	4200	UNDERPERFORMS
	22	BOWMORE 18 YO 70CL 43%	√	10,000	NA	9500	GOOD BUY
	23	CAOL ILA 12 YO 70CL 40%	√	4500	4600	4600	MUST BUY
	24	CARDHU 12 YO 70CL 40% ABV	√	4800	4500	4600	GOOD BUY
	25	CLYNELISH 14 YO 75CL 46%	√	4600	4600	4600	MUST BUY
	26	COPPER DOG 12 YO 70CL 40%	√	2700	2700	2700	MUST BUY
	27	CRAGGANMORE 12 YO 43%	√	3600	3600	3600	OPTIONAL
	28	CRAIGELLACHIE 13 YO	√	4000	4000	4000	MUST BUY
	29	CRAIGELLACHIE 14 YO	X	7100	7000	6800	SOLD OUT
	30	CRAIGELLACHIE 17 YO	√	10,750	11,000	10,500	GOOD BUT PRICEY
	31	DALMORE 12 YO	?	7200	7250	7200	PRICEY
	32	DALMORE 15 YO	X	9000	9000	9600
	33	DALMORE  CIGAR MALT	X
	34	DALMORE  PORT WOOD	X
	35	DALWHINNIE 15 YO	√	4000	4000	4000	GREAT VFM
	36	GLENALLACHIE 12 YO	√	NA	NA	7000	MUST BUY
	37	GLENBURGIE BALLANTINE 15	X	3500	NA	3800	DISAPPOINTED
	38	GLENDRONACH 12 YO	√	NA	NA	5800	PRICEY
	39	GLENFIDDICH 12 YO	√	2900	2900	2900	GOOD BUY
	40	GLENFIDDICH 15 YO	√	4500	4500	4500	SOLERA
	41	GLENFIDDICH 18 YO	X	8500	8700	8700	NVFM
	42	GLENFIDDICH XX 47%	√	5500	NA	5700	MUST BUY
	43	GLENFIDDICH IPA 70CL 43%	X	5000	NA	5000
	44	GLENGOYNE 12 70CL  43%	√	4000	4300	NA	MUST BUY
	45	GLENLIVET 12 YO 70 CL 40%	√	2900	2900	2900	MUST BUY
	46	GLENLIVET 15 YO 70 CL 40%	X	4500	4500	4500	12 YO OK
	47	GLENLIVET 18 YO	X	NA	8200	8500	NVFM
	48	GLENMORANGIE 10	√	3800	3500	3800	MUST BUY
	49	GLENMORANGIE LASANTA 12	X	5700	5600	5700
	50	GLENMORANGIE NECTAR D’OR	?	6200	7500	6300	AT OR < 6000
	51	---DO--- QUINTA RUBAN 14	?	7500	7500	7200	OVERPRICED
	52	GLENMORANGIE SIGNET	X	18000	17500	17000	TOO PRICEY
	53	GLENMORANGIE X	X		4000		AVOID
	54	GLEN GRANT 10	X	3000	3000	3000	UNDERDONE
	55	GLEN GRANT 12	X	3200	3200	3200	UNDERDONE
	55	GLEN GRANT 18	X	10800	11000	11000	GOOD; NVFM
	56	JURA 10	X	4700	4700	4800	GOOD BUY
	57	JURA 12	√	5400	5400	5500	GOOD BUY
	58	KAVALAN CONCERTMASTER	X	7000	7000	NA
	59	KAVALAN CLASSIC	X	7000	NA	7000
	60	KAVALAN SOLIST SHERRIED	√	11,000	NA	NA	NVFM
	61	KAVALAN DISTILLERY SELECT	X	8000	8000	NA	NVFM
	62	KILCHOMAN SANAIG	√	9000	9000	NA	NVFM
	63	LOSSIT	√	NA	6200	NA	MUST BUY
	64	MACALLAN	√
	65	MACALLAN
	66	MACALLAN
	67	MACALLAN
	68	MONKEY SHOULDER	√	2800	2800	3000	MUST BUY
	69	OBAN	√	5800	6000	6000	GOOD BUY
	70	OLD PULTENEY 12 YO	√	4200	4250	4300	GOOD BUY
	71	OLD PULTENEY 10 YO	√	5500	5800	5800	MUST BUY
	72	SCAPA SKIREN	X	5200	5500	5500
	73	SINGLETON GLENDULLAN 12	√	3300	3200	3300	GOOD BUY
	74	SINGLETON GLENDULLAN 15	√	4500	4500	4500	GOOD BUY
	75	SINGLETON GLENDULLAN 18	√	6000	6200	6200	MUST BUY
	76	SMOKEHEAD HEAVY PEAT	√	4200	4200	4200	MUST BUY
	77	SPEYBURN 75 CL 43%	√	3500	3500	3600	MUST BUY
	78	SPEYBURN 1L 43%	√	4500	5200	NA	NVFM
	79	TAMDHU	X	5300	5300	NA
	80	TOWIEMORE	X	NA	6200	NA
	81	BRUICHLADDICH 8 CLASSIC	√	8500	8500	8500	MUST BUY
	82	DEANSTON 10 BORDEAUX FINISH	√	NA	NA	5600	MUST BUY
	BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY
	1	BALLANTINE’S 7 YO	x
	2	BALLANTINE’S FINEST NAS	X
	3	BALLANTINE'S 12 YO	X
	4	BALLANTINE’S 15 YO	X
	5	BALLANTINE’S 17 YO	√	4500	4500	4800	MUST BUY
	6	BUCHANAN’S 12 YO	√
	7	BUCHANAN’S 18 YO	√
	8	CHIVAS REGAL 12 YO	√
	9	CHIVAS REGAL 15 YO	X
	10	CHIVAS REGAL 18 YO	√	4800	4800	4800	MUST BUY
	11	CHIVAS REGAL EXTRA	X
	12	CUTTY SARK 12 YO	X
	13	WILLIAM LAWSON 13 YO	√
	14	DEWAR’S 12 YO	X
	15	DEWAR’S 15 YO	X
	16	DEWAR’S 18 YO	√	4800	4800	4800	MUST BUY
	17	DIMPLE HAIG 15 YO	√	4500	4500	4500	MUST BUY
	18	FAMOUS GROUSE NAS	X
	19	FAMOUS GROUSE 12 YO	√
	20	GRANTS TRIPLE WOOD NAS	X
	21	GRANTS TRIPLE WOOD 12 YO	X
	22	JOHNNIE WALKER BLACK	√	2000	2000	2000
	23	JOHNNIE WALKER DBLE BLACK	√	2800	2800	2800
	24	JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD	√	3500	3500	3500	MUST BUY
	25	JOHNNIE WALKER 18 YO	x	4800	4800	4800
	26	TEACHER'S HIGHLAND CREAM	X
	27	TEACHER'S 50	X

MAXIMUM LIQUOR IN HOME STORAGE

INCONSISTENT LAWS REGARDING STORAGE OF LIQUOR AT HOME

In 1977, a move was made to impose prohibition across India, started by the then Prime Minister, Morarji Desai. The move died a natural death. As of today, only two states, Tamil Nadu in the south and the western state of Gujarat, the home of both Mohandas Gandhi and Morarji Desai, have been observing total prohibition. Gujarat has been dry for more than 30 years. Yet one hears of numerous deaths caused by drinking spurious liquor every year.

The Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Act, 2009 is an Act of Gujarat Legislative Assembly which prohibits manufacture, selling, buying or distributing of Laththa (spurious liquor). Laththa is spurious liquor which contains methanol or any other poisonous substances which may cause harmful or injurious effects to the human body or death of a person. The Act also makes it a punishable offence for the person involved in construction or working in any distillery or brewery making laththa. The Act has a provision for death sentence or life imprisonment for those found guilty of manufacturing and selling spurious liquor in cases where those who consumed the spurious liquor have died.

Alcohol prohibition in Tamil Nadu is governed by State Prohibition and Excise department as per Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937. TASMAC, a state government owned company controls the wholesale and retail vending of alcoholic beverages in the State. Prohibition as such has been observed sporadically in the state. Prohibition has been imposed on Tamil Nadu since 20 February 2017.

RIDING THE L-1 BOOM

India holds the dubious distinction of the largest consumer of whisky in the world. Yet it has States that have proclaimed Prohibition and enforce it. The complexities of marketing whisky, or any spirit for that matter, are daunting. They are not helped by the vagaries and vicissitudes of culture-bound States, or so they say. The plethora of executable wine laws in India is applicable not only for importers, producers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs, all of whom come under the umbrella of licensing, but also the consumer. As may be expected, every State has its own laws for the storage of wine and alcohol, with listed specifications of ‘permissible possession’. Gurgaon has witnessed an explosion in the number of stores selling both Indian and imported liquor under the L-1 classification. Currently, over 60 stores are operating as L-1 merchants. You cannot drive more than one km in Gurgaon without coming across a bright and glaringly prominent L-1 store.

L-1 LICENCE

L-1 Licences are reserved for bulk sellers. Every now and then, State Governments formulate their Excise Policy and approve the Terms & Conditions for grant of L-1 licenses. In pursuance to this policy and the approved terms & conditions, licences in form L-1 are granted for the wholesale supply of Indian and imported liquor. The bulk sellers have to go through various procedures and costs, none of which are relevant to you, the consumer.

L-50 LICENCE

A licence, called the L 50 (Mini-Bar) licence was introduced for the general public’s personal consumption, for two separate segments, valid for either one year or for a lifetime. The licence is granted by the deputy excise and taxation commissioner for the possession and transportation of liquor after paying the appropriate fee. The L-50 or Mini-Bar Licence, as applicable to the general public, can be obtained for one year for Rs 1,500 for both Delhi and Gurgaon. In Gurgaon, the life-time licence will cost Rs 10,000, a reduction by 50% of the extant ‘home’ licence. There has been no similar reduction in Delhi.

Under the licence for the mini bar, residents in Gurgaon can store ~120 liquor bottles at home, assuming you are married. For relatives staying with you above the age of 25, add 60 more per head. Residents can also apply online for this licence, which was introduced last year. The step was taken after a dip in demand for the licence, as observed by officials in the Excise Department. The minimum age to obtain a lifetime liquor licence is 25 years.

Specific rules have been codified in the State Excise Rules, stipulating quantities of liquor that may be held at home legally and penalties for exceeding the quantity. For instance, Rule 20 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, stipulates the maximum limit for retail sale and individual possession of liquor. Violation of this Rule entails an offence under Section 33 of the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, which is punishable with imprisonment for a maximum term of three years and a fine which is not less than Rs. 50,000/-, but may extend to Rs. 1,00,000/-. 

These have gained the interest of many concerned, after the Delhi High Court interpreted the law while delivering a judgement only last week. The relevant portion of Rule 20 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, has been reproduced as under:

“20. Maximum limit for retail sale and individual possession of liquor: The maximum quantities of intoxicants specified below, which for the purposes of the Act, may be sold by retail and possessed exclusively, by an individual not below the age of twenty five years in Delhi, shall be as follows:—

 INDIAN AND FOREIGN LIQUOR 

(i) Indian Liquor and Foreign Liquor (Whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and brandy), except wine, liqueur, beer, cider and alcopop: Nine litres.

(ii) Wine, beer, liqueur, cider and alcopop: Eighteen litres.

(iii) Indian Liquor or Foreign Liquor: One litre while entering into Delhi from other States;

(iv) Foreign Liquor: Two litres while entering into Delhi from other countries.

* These quantities are Per Person (>25 years old).

**It is illegal to carry more than ONE bottle of liquor into Delhi from any part of the country. This is more than true for rampant import from Gurgaon, as has been happening these past six months.

***If you would like to hold more liquor at home, then you have to apply for the same on Licence No L-49 with additional charges depending on the quantity, but not below Rs 2,000.

Haryana -Gurgaon is so much better for massive amounts of private possession of alcohol (yay Millenium City!). Get yourself L-50 lifetime permission and stock up. You can stock up to 6 bottles (750 ml each) of country liquor, 18 bottles (750 ml each) of IMFL liquor, out of which maximum 6 bottles can be of Imported Foreign Liquor, 12 bottles (650 ml each) of beer, 6 bottles (750 ml each) of rum, 12 bottles of wine, and 6 bottles (750 ml each) of vodka/gin/cider.

UP- NOIDA: I’m afraid NOIDA types will have to grin and bear it. The limit is presently capped at 1.5 litres of country-made alcohol, 1.5 litres of IMFL and 4 bottles of beer. Once the Noida International Greenfield Airport comes up at Jewar, this limit could go up to 2.0 litres of IMFL or 2.0 litres of imported alcohol. Mr Saffron will probably play ball.

Karnataka- Bangalore: Decent quantities. Permissible limits are 18.2 litres of country beer, 9.1 litres of imported foreign liquor, 4.5 litres of fortified wine, 9 litres of fruit wine, 2.3 litres of liquor manufactured in Karnataka (excluding imported Foreign liquor), and 2.5 litres of toddy (in the areas where public sale of toddy is allowed, i.e., D. Kannada and Udupi Districts).

Maharashtra: Basically, the Mumbai/Pune/Nagpur/Nashik types are in grief. Ex-Defence Forces officers will have a special quota dependent on rank. For the hoi polloi, If their age allows them to drink liquor in Maharashtra, they need a license for it. A permit is required for purchase, possession, transport and consumption of liquor, and is applicable to both foreign and country liquor. One's committing an offence if one consumes liquor without such a permit. To get a permit, check out this link which outlines the procedure clearly.