New 200% Tax Devastates Scotch Sales In Bombay

On July 10th the Maharashtra state government slapped a 200% tax on foreign spirits, and the effects on Scotch consumption in Bombay have been devastating. India is the world's largest whiskey market, and typically 30%-40% of Indian whiskey consumption happens in Maharashtra. The Scotsman reported over the weekend that not a single bottle of Scotch had been sold in Bombay since the tax increase. Commentators have opined that the tax will be a boon to Indian bootleggers and smugglers; apparently as it stands 90% of the foreign spirits sold in India are smuggled and sold on the black market, sans taxes.