liquor price in kolkata (2026) — west bengal brand-wise price list

tldr: kolkata liquor prices are moderate and fairly competitive. officer’s choice whisky starts at rs 370-420, kingfisher 500ml is rs 110-130, and absolut vodka runs rs 1450-1600. pricing is similar to delhi and cheaper than mumbai. rum has a special place in bengali drinking culture, making kolkata one of the best rum markets in india. old monk at rs 350-400 is practically a kolkata institution.

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kolkata has a drinking culture that’s deeply tied to its literary, cultural, and adda traditions. evening conversations over rum, beer sessions along park street, and old monk being passed around at gatherings are all part of the city’s identity. west bengal’s excise policy is moderate, keeping prices competitive without being as cheap as goa or chandigarh.

the state’s approach to alcohol is relatively relaxed compared to many other indian states. fewer dry days, a lower legal drinking age (21), and a cultural acceptance of social drinking make kolkata a straightforward city for buying and consuming alcohol. the retail infrastructure is a mix of state-authorized shops and private outlets.

all prices listed below are approximate for 2026, based on current pricing data from west bengal excise records and retail surveys. prices are fairly consistent across kolkata shops.

this guide is part of liquor india, where i cover every major alcohol brand available in india. no sponsors, no affiliate links.

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whisky prices in kolkata (2026)

whisky consumption in kolkata has grown significantly, especially among younger professionals. the city stocks everything from budget blends to premium scotch.

budget and mid-range whisky — under rs 1000

brand	variant	750ml price (approx)	ABV	type
officer’s choice	blue	rs 370-420	42.8%	grain whisky
officer’s choice	black	rs 420-480	42.8%	grain whisky
mcdowell’s no.1	reserve	rs 420-500	42.8%	blended whisky
imperial blue	regular	rs 470-550	42.8%	blended whisky
royal stag	regular	rs 580-680	42.8%	blended whisky
royal stag	barrel select	rs 730-830	42.8%	blended whisky
blenders pride	regular	rs 720-830	42.8%	blended whisky
blenders pride	reserve collection	rs 870-980	42.8%	blended whisky

kolkata pricing for budget whisky is close to delhi and noticeably cheaper than mumbai. royal stag and blenders pride are the most popular choices in the mid-range segment. the best whisky under 1000 guide covers more options at this price point.

premium whisky — rs 1000 and above

brand	variant	750ml price (approx)	ABV	type
100 pipers	deluxe	rs 880-1000	42.8%	blended scotch
black dog	black reserve	rs 1150-1350	42.8%	blended scotch
teachers	highland cream	rs 1250-1450	40%	blended scotch
vat 69	regular	rs 1100-1280	40%	blended scotch
johnnie walker	red label	rs 1650-1850	40%	blended scotch
johnnie walker	black label	rs 3200-3600	40%	blended scotch
chivas regal	12 year	rs 3100-3500	40%	blended scotch
glenfiddich	12 year	rs 3500-4000	40%	single malt
jack daniels	old no. 7	rs 2800-3200	40%	tennessee whiskey
glenlivet	12 year	rs 3500-4000	40%	single malt

premium scotch pricing in kolkata is competitive with delhi. the city has a growing single malt community, and shops in south kolkata and salt lake carry excellent selections.

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rum prices in kolkata (2026)

rum is king in kolkata. bengali drinking culture has a deep connection with rum, and old monk holds a special status that few other brands match anywhere in india.

brand	variant	750ml price (approx)	ABV	type
old monk	original	rs 350-400	42.8%	dark rum
old monk	gold	rs 460-560	42.8%	dark rum
old monk	supreme	rs 550-680	42.8%	dark rum
mcdowell’s no.1	celebration rum	rs 350-410	42.8%	dark rum
bacardi	carta blanca (white)	rs 760-860	37.5%	white rum
bacardi	gold	rs 810-910	40%	gold rum
captain morgan	original spiced	rs 920-1070	35%	spiced rum

old monk at rs 350-400 in kolkata is a no-brainer. the rum’s cult following in bengal is unmatched, and you’ll find it at every liquor shop, every adda, every winter gathering. if you’re in kolkata and not drinking old monk, you’re missing a cultural experience. the best rum under 1000 guide covers other options, but in kolkata, old monk is the default.

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beer prices in kolkata (2026)

beer consumption in kolkata peaks during the humid summers (march to october), which is most of the year.

brand	variant	size	price (approx)	ABV
kingfisher	premium lager	500ml	rs 110-130	4.8%
kingfisher	strong	500ml	rs 120-145	8%
kingfisher	ultra	330ml	rs 100-120	5%
budweiser	premium	500ml	rs 130-150	5%
budweiser	magnum	500ml	rs 140-160	6.5%
bira 91	white	330ml	rs 95-115	4.7%
bira 91	blonde	330ml	rs 95-115	4.5%
tuborg	green	500ml	rs 100-120	4.8%
tuborg	strong	500ml	rs 110-130	8%
heineken	lager	330ml	rs 120-140	5%
corona	extra	330ml	rs 180-220	4.5%
carlsberg	elephant strong	500ml	rs 110-130	7.2%
haywards	5000	650ml	rs 110-140	8%

kingfisher pricing in kolkata is very close to delhi. haywards 5000 is popular in bengal for the strong beer segment. beer is the default summer drink in kolkata, and prices make it accessible. see the best beer under 200 guide for more picks.

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vodka prices in kolkata (2026)

brand	variant	750ml price (approx)	ABV
magic moments	regular	rs 520-610	37.5%
magic moments	remix (flavored)	rs 570-660	37.5%
romanov	regular	rs 420-500	37.5%
smirnoff	red	rs 780-870	37.5%
smirnoff	green apple	rs 830-920	37.5%
absolut	original	rs 1450-1600	40%
absolut	flavored variants	rs 1550-1700	38%
grey goose	original	rs 5600-6300	40%

vodka pricing in kolkata is mid-range. smirnoff and magic moments dominate the budget segment, while absolut is the standard premium pick. more budget options in the best vodka under 1000 guide.

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gin prices in kolkata (2026)

gin is gaining traction in kolkata, though the market is still smaller than bangalore or mumbai.

brand	variant	750ml price (approx)	ABV
greater than	london dry	rs 720-820	42.8%
bombay sapphire	london dry	rs 1900-2200	47%
tanqueray	london dry	rs 2100-2400	43.1%
gordon’s	london dry	rs 1150-1350	37.5%
hendrick’s	regular	rs 3900-4500	41.4%

greater than is the best entry point for gin in kolkata. the city’s cocktail culture is growing, and gin and tonics are becoming common at park street bars and south kolkata lounges.

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wine prices in kolkata (2026)

brand	variant	750ml price (approx)	type
sula	chenin blanc	rs 500-640	white
sula	shiraz	rs 540-680	red
sula	brut	rs 700-840	sparkling
grover zampa	la reserve	rs 600-750	red
fratelli	sette	rs 610-760	red
jacob’s creek	classic shiraz	rs 920-1100	red
jacob’s creek	sparkling	rs 1020-1200	sparkling

wine consumption in kolkata is still relatively niche compared to spirits and beer. sula is the most widely available and affordable indian wine. imported wines are available at premium shops in south kolkata and salt lake.

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where to buy liquor in kolkata

state-authorized liquor shops: these are the primary retail outlets for alcohol in kolkata. you’ll find them across the city, with good concentration in park street, camac street, gariahat, salt lake, and new town areas. pricing follows state-mandated MRP.

premium wine and spirit stores: for imported scotch, single malts, and craft spirits, head to the larger shops in south kolkata (ballygunge, alipore), park street, or salt lake. these stores carry premium brands that smaller neighborhood outlets might not stock.

park street shops: park street remains kolkata’s drinking hub, and the liquor shops in this area have some of the best selections in the city. convenient if you’re already in the area for an evening out.

bars and restaurants: kolkata has a vibrant bar scene from dive bars in esplanade to premium lounges in salt lake. expect 2-3x retail pricing at bars. park street bars are the classic kolkata drinking experience.

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tips for buying liquor in kolkata

1. rum is the default. if you’re in kolkata for the first time, try old monk with warm water during winter. it’s a bengali drinking ritual that’s worth experiencing.

2. park street for variety. the shops around park street have the best range of brands. if you’re looking for something specific or premium, start here.

3. legal age is 21. lower than delhi and mumbai. carry your ID, shops will check.

4. fewer dry days. west bengal is relatively relaxed about alcohol. the standard national holiday dry days apply, but the list is short.

5. summer = beer, winter = rum. kolkata’s drinking habits follow the seasons. plan your purchases accordingly. beer demand spikes from march to october, rum takes over from november to february.

6. check MRP on the bottle. kolkata shops generally stick to printed MRP, but it never hurts to verify, especially at smaller outlets.

7. local brands exist. west bengal has some local whisky and rum brands that are very cheap (rs 150-250 for 750ml). these are country liquor category and not comparable to the branded options listed above. stick to established brands for consistent quality.

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how kolkata compares to other cities

city	officer’s choice 750ml	kingfisher 500ml	absolut 750ml
kolkata	rs 370-420	rs 110-130	rs 1450-1600
goa	rs 250-300	rs 60-80	rs 1000-1200
delhi	rs 350-400	rs 110-130	rs 1400-1600
mumbai	rs 400-480	rs 130-150	rs 1600-1800
bangalore	rs 380-430	rs 120-140	rs 1500-1700
chandigarh	rs 320-370	rs 100-120	rs 1300-1500

kolkata pricing is close to delhi and slightly cheaper than bangalore. mumbai is consistently more expensive, and goa remains the cheapest option.

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drink responsibly. must be of legal drinking age in your state.