The end of own brand spirits in Scottish supermarkets?

[Brandane]

The minimum alcohol pricing laws come into force in Scotland on May 1st.. The minimum price of 1 unit of alcohol will be 50 pence, meaning that a 70cl bottle of whisky will cost about £14.
A bottle of "Highland Earl" (no I've never heard of it either) currently on sale in Aldi for £11.50 will go up to £14. The same size of bottle of Bells or Grouse in Tesco will go from £13 to £14.

Is anyone actually going to buy a bottle of Highland Earl for the same price as Grouse/Bells?

I am of course assuming that the supermarkets will be selling both brands at the minimum price rather than whacking a premium onto the better known brands. Especially given that the new prices are not a tax, but simply extra profit for the seller benefiting from Scottish Government rules.

BBC link.

 

[MontyVeda]

If people prefer the taste of Highland Earl to Grouse or Bells, then yes. What kind of whisky drinker buys Bells anyway?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Not a tax? Crumbs, Queen Nicola loosing the plot is she?

 

[Brandane]

If people prefer the taste of Highland Earl to Grouse or Bells, then yes. What kind of whisky drinker buys Bells anyway?

1.78 million bought Bells in the UK in 2016, 2.1 million is the figure for Grouse. Can't find figures for Highland Earl. Regardless of how good or bad either brand may be, though, it's sales figures that will determine whether or not they remain on the shelves - and if they are being sold at the same price, I would have thought that your average shopper will go for the better known brand.

 

[Pedalabitslower]

I think a booze cruise to Berwick upon Tweed, or Carlisle is what you need.

 

[Drago]

Nanny state. They'll be setting minimum pricing on deep fried Mars bars next.

 

[AndyRM]

The Aldi range of own brand whisky has won awards in blind taste tests, beating established brands from the big boys. Suspect they will do even better as people look for the cheapest best tasting options.

 

[Globalti]

How much will a bottle of Buckie cost now?

 

[Slick]

1.78 million bought Bells in the UK in 2016, 2.1 million is the figure for Grouse. Can't find figures for Highland Earl. Regardless of how good or bad either brand may be, though, it's sales figures that will determine whether or not they remain on the shelves - and if they are being sold at the same price, I would have thought that your average shopper will go for the better known brand.

I'm not sure everyone fully understands your point, as nobody is going to buy Earl or any other of the budget brands if they can get Grouse for the same price. I haven't read your link but from what I remember, it was the cheaper brands this minimum price was supposed to address was it not?

 

[raleighnut]

More importantly it will mean that the Aldi Gin at £9.99 (also an award winner) will be going up as well

 

[Slick]

The Aldi range of own brand whisky has won awards in blind taste tests, beating established brands from the big boys. Suspect they will do even better as people look for the cheapest best tasting options.

That's just how Aldi roll right across their product range though. You're right though, there's a few different people at work now who wouldn't go passed Aldi's own.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Pretty sure Bells is sold mainly south of the border where it's mixed with coke, orangeade and other soft drinks to mask it's harsh vileness. Grouse is the most popular whisky in Scotland. Own brand whiskies are for people who put irn bru in their drinks.

 

[snorri]

How much will a bottle of Buckie cost now?

Congratulations, you're the first cyclist I've met who had any interest in the price of Buckfast.

 

[Drago]

The Aldi range of own brand whisky has won awards in blind taste tests, beating established brands from the big boys.

Yes, everyone who tasted it went blind.

 

[Ianboydsnr]

I quite like the Aldi spirits, but will always buy a brand if it’s the same or cheaper price, if it comes to England I might have to look to making a miniature still.