Alcohol

As Indian consumers diversify their drinking habits, Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel's, is poised for growth in the premium spirits market. The American company plans to bring in more products, driven by changing preferences and a desire for unique experiences.

The Heineken-controlled brewer reported a decline in FY26 revenue and profit as packaging costs surged and pricing delays offset steady demand and premium growth.

Nearly a dozen products are either already in market or being introduced through early 2026-27 across whisky, brandy, vodka, gin, rum and tequila.

B9 Beverages founder Ankur Jain will resign this week as the company faces financial turmoil, including salary delays and vendor pressure. Investors plan to inject ₹400 crore to restructure and revitalize the beer maker, which has halted operations since late 2025.

Under the proposed India-EU free trade agreement, duties on champagne are set to fall from 150% to 20% over seven years.

From jamun to chilli mango, India's palate is expanding beyond plain white spirits to locally flavoured drinks, with companies betting big on the fast-growing category.

Easing disruptions in Telangana and a premiumization push could lift volumes, but weak Maharashtra demand and valuation concerns linger.

Kingfisher producer United Breweries warns of a 5-6% increase in cost of sales due to rising freight and bottle prices. State-set beer prices mean the company must absorb war-driven cost hikes, impacting margins.