The price of many premium brandy, whiskey, vodka and rum brands have fallen in Ireland since the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing. The greatest impact of minimum pricing has been on beers, ciders and stouts – as well as cheap brands of vodka and whiskey. For instance, a 500ml can of Guinness was priced at €1.89 before the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing but now costs €2.50 – an increase of 32pc. The greatest impact was on so-called ‘slab’ sales – where minimum alcohol pricing has massively reduced the price benefits of bulk booze purchases. “Premium brands have been under pressure for market share in Ireland for years from cut-price competitors,” one Cork off-licence operator said.

Source: Irish Independent March 21, 2022 08:35 UTC