On Friday, India slashed the import duties on America’s bourbon whiskey from 150% to 100%. Now just that, India also lowered tariffs on several varieties of wines imported from the USA. America is the primary exporter of bourbon whiskey to India, and reportedly, makes up for one-fourth of all such alcohol imported into New Delhi. Scroll on to know more about this.
India Slashes Import Duty On Some Spirits
According to the Hindustan Times, India lowered tariffs on American bourbon whiskey from 150% to 100%. On February 13, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, a 50% cut on customs duty was announced by Indian authorities.
According to reports, the basic customs duty on bourbon will be 50%. There will be an additional levy of 50%, bringing the total to 100%. Furthermore, duty on wines made of fresh grapes and vermouth, and some other fermented beverages and unadulterated ethyl alcohol with 80% alcohol strength have been cut to 100%. In 2023-24, India imported bourbon whiskey worth $2.5 million, with America being the primary exporter.
Also Read: Wine Shops In Bangalore Ask For ‘Stand-And-Drink’ Spaces; A Bid To Curb Revenue Loss
Why Is Bourbon Whiskey Special?
Bourbon whiskey is the USA’s only native spirit. It has a hint of sweetness and is made with corn, rye or wheat, and malt. In 1964, the country declared the driml to be a “distinctive product of the United States”. For a bourbon to be called bourbon whiskey, it cannot have any added colour or flavours to it. Furthermore, it has to be between 80 and 160 proof (percentage of alcohol) to be considered a bourbon whiskey.
It is known for its versatility as it is used to make a range of drinks like Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, and Manhattan. Primarily, it has favour notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel. These help it make the perfect foundation for a range of cocktails.
What are your thoughts on this tariff slash? Let us know in the comments.
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