CHENNAI: Whisky might be India's most preferred beverage according to ASSOCHAM, but Chennaiities raise a toast to brandy.
According to statistics available with the state owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC), 80 per cent of alcohol consumers prefer brandy. The next preferred drink is rum in the city and its suburbs. Only less than four per cent swear by whisky in Chennai, unlike the rest of the country which has a huge market, estimated at Rs 40,500 crore. Apparently, the demand for other varieties like gin, wine and vodka is less than 1.5 per cent.
As many as 7,65,480 cases of brandy were sold in April this year, jumping to a high of 8,58,966 cases last August. At the same time, whisky sales plummeted by one per cent during the above two months, in the three districts of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur. About 1200 TASMAC retail outlets are situated in the city and its adjoining districts.
"Chennai and Tamil Nadu at large have always been a market for brandy," sources from TASMAC said. "The trend in the city is, consumption of brandy and the sale of rum increases during the monsoon season," the sources added.
While brandy brands from United Spirits Ltd and Midas Golden Distilleries (P) Ltd are the most sought after, McDowell's and Signature are the top selling brands as far as whisky is concerned.