High-end liquor at walk-in marts
Hyderabad is witnessing a dramatic shift in the liquor space, with mushrooming walk-in stores creating a highend purchasing experience for connoisseurs and novices alike. Built on the lines of the dutyfree shops at airports, liquor marts are providing a safe space for comparing different alcohols from the world across and experiencing globally acclaimed brands.
Proprietors of these marts say that on average, a bottle costs between `5,000 and
`15,000, with expensive ones even touching the
`1 lakh mark.
While most of the high-end liquor are blended scotch and single-malt whiskies, many shops also have dedicated sections for wine, both red and sparkling ones. Beers are also available, but fridges with these bottles are generally relegated
to a corner.Akhil, of House of Spirits in Gachibowli, said, “Grains, malts and processes of manufacture interest consumers. Most of the selling categories are scotches and single malts. We even have the Johnny Walker King George (a blended scotch), which costs more than `80,000.”
He said that they receive around 500 customers a day and that
women feel safer purchasing liquor from such stores.
Soma Abhiram Goud of Gooseberry Wine Mart in Secunderabad said, “After the Covid lockdown, wine shop owners wanted to create a unique experience for buyers. Unlike liquor vends that are mobbed by large crowds, buyers can have a more relaxed experience here.”
He said that although they have to pay additional charges to the government, they are allowed to sell other products, such as mixers, tonic water, soda, etc, which are used to make cocktails.
Gotla Amarnath Yahav, a partner with a consortium of liquor shops, said, “The city is seeing a lot of migration from other parts of the country, and slowly, the culture of drinking liquor has been witnessing a shift. Social drinking is becoming more acceptable.”
A woman at one of these marts told this correspondent that she felt “more comfortable to walk in and shop, and not depend on others to buy booze. I guess these marts are better ideas.”
Saji Mathews, a customer at one of the stores, said, “These shops provide more value and variety, as imported brands that were only found at duty-free stores are now easily available.”