Karnataka Liquor Prices Slashed: Whisky from ₹45, Beer from ₹60, Premium Scotch up to ₹15,500 Under New Excise Policy
Bengaluru: In a major overhaul of Karnataka’s liquor taxation system, the State Excise Department has announced a completely new Alcohol-in-Beverage (AIB) based excise duty structure, making Karnataka the first state in India to implement the globally recognised taxation model for alcohol.
The new excise structure came into effect from May 11, 2026, following the 2026-27 Budget announcement by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The government has simultaneously revised the Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of several popular liquor and beer brands across categories.
Government Deregulates Liquor Price Fixation
According to the Excise Department, the government-controlled price fixation system has now been fully deregulated under the new policy. Product placement within different pricing slabs has been left to liquor manufacturers based on market conditions.
Officials said the move aims to:
- Make liquor prices cheaper for consumers
- Keep Karnataka liquor prices competitive with neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Kerala
- Simplify the taxation structure
The number of Indian Made Liquor (IML) slabs has now been rationalised and reduced to eight categories.
Cheapest Liquor Prices in Karnataka
Under the revised structure, several economy liquor brands are now available at significantly lower prices.
Slab-1 Liquor Prices (Up to ₹470 Category)
Some of the lowest-priced brands include:
- Legacy Special XXX Rum/Whisky – ₹45 (90ml), ₹90 (180ml), ₹370 (750ml)
- Carnival XXX Rum – ₹55 (90ml), ₹95 (180ml), ₹385 (750ml)
- Black Belt Fine Old Whisky – ₹55 (90ml), ₹95 (180ml), ₹385 (750ml)
- Bangalore Whisky/Brandy/Rum – ₹55 (90ml), ₹95 (180ml), ₹395 (750ml)
- Green Champion Superior Whisky & Brandy – ₹55 (90ml), ₹105 (180ml), ₹420 (750ml)
Popular Mid-Range Brands
In the ₹500–₹1,500 range, several widely sold whisky, rum and vodka brands have received revised pricing.
Key revised MRPs include:
- Old Tavern Whisky – ₹70 (90ml), ₹135 (180ml), ₹560 (750ml)
- Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky – ₹80 (90ml), ₹155 (180ml), ₹645 (750ml)
- Old Monk Rum – ₹90 (90ml), ₹175 (180ml), ₹850 (750ml)
- Imperial Blue Whisky – ₹110 (90ml), ₹215 (180ml), ₹885 (750ml)
- Royal Stag Deluxe Whisky – ₹150 (90ml), ₹280 (180ml), ₹1,145 (750ml)
- Blenders Pride Rare Premium Whisky – ₹170 (90ml), ₹345 (180ml), ₹1,330 (750ml)
- Smirnoff Vodka – ₹345 (180ml), ₹1,365 (750ml)
Premium Scotch and Imported Liquor Prices
The revised list also includes premium imported brands and single malts.
Premium Imported Liquor Prices
- Johnnie Walker Red Label – ₹810 (180ml), ₹2,810 (750ml)
- Chivas Regal 12 Years – ₹4,220 (750ml)
- Glenlivet 12 Years – ₹5,400 (750ml)
- Grey Goose Vodka – ₹10,045 (750ml)
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label – ₹15,500 (750ml)
Indian Premium Single Malts
- Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky – ₹3,500
- Indri Master Blender’s Select – ₹3,560
- Paul John Indian Single Malt Brilliance – ₹3,600
Beer Prices Revised Across Karnataka
The Excise Department has also revised beer prices across bottled and canned categories.
Revised Beer Prices
- Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer – ₹60 (330ml), ₹110 (650ml)
- Kingfisher Strong Premium Beer – ₹100 (330ml), ₹180 (650ml)
- Budweiser Magnum Beer – ₹145 (330ml), ₹250 (650ml)
- Heineken Lager Beer – ₹120 (330ml), ₹200 (650ml)
- Tuborg Strong Premium Beer – ₹120 (330ml), ₹170 (650ml)
- Corona Extra Premium Beer – ₹130 (330ml bottle), ₹170 (500ml can)
- Haywards 5000 Strong Beer – ₹70 (330ml), ₹135 (650ml)
- Black Fort Super Strong Beer – ₹85 (330ml), ₹130 (650ml)
Karnataka First State to Adopt AIB Taxation
The Excise Department stated that the Alcohol-in-Beverage taxation system is internationally recognised as the “gold standard” for alcohol taxation. Karnataka has now become the first Indian state to formally implement the system.
Officials said the new structure is expected to:
- Improve transparency in liquor taxation
- Reduce pricing distortions
- Increase consumer choice
- Align Karnataka prices with neighbouring states
The revised liquor and beer price list was officially released by the Karnataka State Excise Department in its May 16, 2026 press note.
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