New Delhi: Bourbon whiskey is set to become more affordable in India as the government slashes import duties, making premium US brands like Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam cheaper for Indian consumers.
In a major trade move, India has cut import duties on bourbon whiskey by 66.6%, just ahead of PM Modi’s bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump. The reduction, announced on February 13 by the Department of Revenue, is part of a broader push to strengthen trade ties with the US. However, the cut applies only to bourbon, while other imported alcoholic beverages remain taxed at previous rates.
Despite the duty slash, bourbon will still attract a 50% agricultural cess under the Agricultural Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC).
Bourbon, a distinctly American whiskey made with at least 51% corn and aged in charred oak barrels, enjoys a unique identity similar to Scotch. Just as Scotch must be made in Scotland, bourbon can officially be produced only in the US.
However, in a rare move, global whiskey giant Beam Suntory has begun bottling its flagship brand, Jim Beam, in India—highlighting the country’s growing importance as the world’s largest whiskey consumer.
Bourbon’s roots trace back to the 18th century when the US Congress passed the Whiskey Act in 1789, triggering the infamous “Whiskey Rebellion.” To support domestic production, Congress later eased taxes under the Excise Tax Reduction Act of 1791, shaping bourbon into the American icon it is today.
With lower tariffs and rising local bottling,
