|
For all you scotch drinkers
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=937704
| quote: | Global scotch demand drinking stocks dry
Demand from Russia, China, India forces scotch drinkers to go dry here
Doug Fischer, Canwest News Service Published: Thursday, November 06, 2008
OTTAWA -- The insatiable demand for scotch whisky in China, India and Russia has tipped three popular brands from the shelves of Ontario liquor stores, and likely will drive up the prices of popular single-malts in several provinces.
Johnnie Walker Green Label, Black & White Blended Scotch Whisky and Bell's Scotch Whisky will no longer be available in Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) outlets once current supplies are gone, probably by year end, a spokesman confirmed Wednesday.
The sobering news comes after liquor distributor Diageo Canada, a branch of the world's largest alcohol group, told the LCBO that if it wanted to continue to sell many of its products it would have to pay more to compete with growing markets abroad.
The LCBO agreed to meet Diageo's demands in some cases, but apparently balked when it came to the three brands to be discontinued.
That also means the Diageo-distributed products the LCBO will continue to sell likely will go up in price by amounts that will vary, depending on the brand. Some of those brands include high-end single malt scotches such as Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, Oban, Talisker, Lagavulin, Gragganmore and Brora, as well as Johnnie Walker's Red, Blue, Gold and Black labels.
Some of the more expensive brands are made by small distilleries that can only produce limited quantities, which drives up demand and prices.
"Essentially it was out of our control," LCBO spokesman Chris Layton said Wednesday. "Diageo came to us and said the demand from places like China, India and Russia was outstripping its ability to supply them."
He said Diageo is simply selling to the buyers willing to pay the most.
It could be worse. In several other provinces, including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, even more brands no longer will be available. New Brunswick is losing 11 brands, for instance.
The move comes as burgeoning middle classes in China, India, Russia, South Korea and Vietnam look for new ways to spend their money.
According to a British economic analysis published in March, China's spirits market alone is expected to be worth US$50-billion by 2011. India's market is growing by more than 15% a year, and could exceed US$35-billion by the end of next year.
The sheer size of those markets can make it difficult for Canadian liquor buyers and sellers -- even those as large as the LCBO, whose total alcohol sales are worth more than $3.5-billion annually -- to stay in the game.
"It's the bad side of success," Frank Scott, owner of an award-winning whisky bar in Fredericton, told New Brunswick's Telegraph-Journal newspaper. "Scotch has always been seen as a success product and with incomes growing, people want the American dream."
Mr. Scott believes that London-based Diageo, which has been focusing on Asia-Pacific markets for the past few years, eventually will re-offer some of its products in Canada. But he thinks drinkers might have moved along to new brands.
Mr. Layton said that even with the cutbacks, the LCBO will continue to sell more than 200 varieties of scotch, the largest selection in Canada.
|
Not a problem with me, because I only drink occassional Drambuie (flaming, of course) and Glenfiddich but eh. Scotch. Puts hair on your balls
___________________
Latest mix: Yohan - Full Spectrum (Fall 14 promo)
Like my stuff? Join my FB group here!
| quote: | Originally posted by chinamon
not true. i say "ugh"
but i am a tranny. |
| quote: | Originally posted by kotsy
lol colour me retarded |
|
