Absolut tragedy: Why Mumbai is running out of imported vodka, whiskey

If you are planning to drink some imported Vodka or Whiskey in a restaurant in Mumbai this weekend, get ready to either pay an exorbitant sum for your drink or hear the waiter to say: “Sorry, Sir, we’re out of stock.”

Thanks to a standoff between two liquor companies and the customs, most restaurants are not being able to serve top imported whisky and vodka brands.

According to a Mumbai Mirror story today, the shortage of the imported brands began when the customs began seizing whisky and vodka brands belonging to Diageo and Pernod Ricard three months back over alleged undervaluation of stock.

Now, there are reportedly 36,000 bottles in the customs’ custody at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Nhava Sheva.

Angry over the seizures, the manufacturers have decided to hold back release of fresh stock from their facilities abroad.

So, restaurants have run out of imported brands such as Absolut vodka, and whisky labels such as Johnny Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal.