tldr: maharashtra is one of the pricier states for liquor in india. blenders pride runs rs 850 for 750ml, royal stag around rs 600, and imperial blue at rs 550. premium scotch like JW red label is rs 2200. beers start at rs 130 for kingfisher. high excise duty is the reason everything costs more here than delhi, goa, or UP. for city-specific breakdowns, check the mumbai and pune guides.
image: blenders pride whisky
maharashtra is india’s second-largest state by population and one of its biggest liquor markets. but it’s also one of the most expensive places to buy alcohol. the state’s excise policy loads heavy duties on spirits, which means a bottle of blenders pride that costs rs 700 in delhi will set you back rs 850 here.
the state operates under a fairly regulated system with FL-III licenses for retail shops selling IMFL (indian-made foreign liquor) and imported brands. availability is excellent across mumbai, pune, nagpur, and other major cities. you’ll find everything from rs 400 budget whiskies to rs 10,000+ single malts.
all prices listed below are approximate for 2026, based on current maharashtra excise data and retail surveys. prices may vary slightly between shops and cities. for specific city pricing, check the mumbai price guide and pune price guide.
whisky prices in maharashtra (2026)
whisky dominates maharashtra’s liquor market. here’s what the major brands cost for a 750ml bottle.
budget and mid-range whisky - under rs 1000
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| officer’s choice | blue | rs 450-520 | 42.8% | grain whisky |
| officer’s choice | black | rs 500-580 | 42.8% | grain whisky |
| mcdowell’s no.1 | reserve | rs 500-580 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| 8 pm | regular | rs 550-650 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| imperial blue | regular | rs 550 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| royal stag | regular | rs 600 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| royal stag | barrel select | rs 800-900 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| blenders pride | regular | rs 850 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
| blenders pride | reserve collection | rs 950-1050 | 42.8% | blended whisky |
imperial blue at rs 550 is the everyday workhorse for most drinkers in maharashtra. blenders pride at rs 850 is what most people reach for when they want something smoother without paying premium prices.
premium whisky - rs 1000 and above
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| teachers | highland cream | rs 1100 | 40% | blended scotch |
| 100 pipers | deluxe | rs 1000-1100 | 42.8% | blended scotch |
| black dog | black reserve | rs 1300 | 42.8% | blended scotch |
| vat 69 | regular | rs 1200-1350 | 40% | blended scotch |
| johnnie walker | red label | rs 2200 | 40% | blended scotch |
| johnnie walker | black label | rs 3800-4200 | 40% | blended scotch |
| chivas regal | 12 year | rs 3500-4000 | 40% | blended scotch |
| glenfiddich | 12 year | rs 4000-4500 | 40% | single malt |
| jack daniels | old no. 7 | rs 3200-3600 | 40% | tennessee whiskey |
maharashtra’s excise duty really bites at the premium end. JW red label at rs 2200 is rs 400-600 more than what you’d pay in delhi or goa. if you’re buying premium scotch regularly, stocking up during goa trips makes financial sense.
rum prices in maharashtra (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| old monk | original | rs 400 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| old monk | gold | rs 530-600 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| mcdowell’s no.1 | celebration rum | rs 400-470 | 42.8% | dark rum |
| bacardi | carta blanca (white) | rs 850 | 37.5% | white rum |
| bacardi | gold | rs 900-1000 | 40% | gold rum |
| captain morgan | original spiced | rs 1000-1150 | 35% | spiced rum |
old monk at rs 400 remains one of the best value-for-money spirits in maharashtra. it’s rs 50-100 more expensive than north india, but still hard to beat at this price point.
beer prices in maharashtra (2026)
| brand | variant | 500ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| kingfisher | premium lager | rs 130 | 4.8% |
| kingfisher | ultra | rs 150-170 | 5% |
| bira 91 | white / blonde | rs 180 | 4.7-4.9% |
| bira 91 | boom | rs 120-140 | 4.5% |
| tuborg | green | rs 110-130 | 4.8% |
| carlsberg | elephant | rs 120-140 | 7.2% |
| heineken | premium | rs 160-180 | 5% |
| budweiser | premium | rs 150-170 | 5% |
| corona | extra | rs 220-250 | 4.5% |
kingfisher at rs 130 is the default beer in maharashtra. bira 91 at rs 180 has a loyal following in mumbai and pune among craft beer drinkers who want something different.
vodka prices in maharashtra (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| magic moments | regular | rs 500-600 | 37.5% |
| smirnoff | red label | rs 750 | 37.5% |
| smirnoff | green apple / orange | rs 800-850 | 37.5% |
| absolut | original | rs 1800 | 40% |
| absolut | flavored | rs 1900-2000 | 40% |
| grey goose | original | rs 4500-5000 | 40% |
| belvedere | pure | rs 4000-4500 | 40% |
smirnoff at rs 750 is the standard choice for vodka drinkers in maharashtra. the jump to absolut at rs 1800 is steep but gets you noticeably better quality for cocktails.
gin prices in maharashtra (2026)
| brand | variant | 750ml price (approx) | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| greater than | london dry | rs 650-750 | 42.8% |
| bombay sapphire | original | rs 1500 | 47% |
| tanqueray | london dry | rs 1800-2000 | 43.1% |
| gordon’s | london dry | rs 800-950 | 37.5% |
| hendrick’s | original | rs 3500-4000 | 41.4% |
gin has grown massively in maharashtra, especially in mumbai and pune. bombay sapphire at rs 1500 is the most popular premium gin here, and greater than is the indian option most people start with.
maharashtra vs other states - price comparison
here’s how maharashtra stacks up against popular states for common brands (750ml prices).
| brand | maharashtra | delhi | goa | karnataka | UP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| blenders pride | rs 850 | rs 700-800 | rs 550-600 | rs 900-1000 | rs 600-700 |
| royal stag | rs 600 | rs 550-650 | rs 400-480 | rs 650-750 | rs 450-550 |
| imperial blue | rs 550 | rs 450-530 | rs 350-420 | rs 600-680 | rs 380-450 |
| old monk | rs 400 | rs 350-420 | rs 250-320 | rs 450-520 | rs 280-350 |
| kingfisher 500ml | rs 130 | rs 110-130 | rs 70-90 | rs 130-150 | rs 100-120 |
| JW red label | rs 2200 | rs 1600-1800 | rs 1400-1600 | rs 2400-2600 | rs 1500-1700 |
the pattern is clear: maharashtra is consistently rs 100-400 more expensive than delhi and rs 200-600 more than goa for the same bottles. if you’re in maharashtra and drinking regularly, even occasional trips to goa for stocking up can save you meaningful money over a year.
maharashtra excise and buying tips
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excise duty structure: maharashtra charges excise duty based on the type of liquor, ABV, and whether it’s domestically produced or imported. IMFL (indian-made foreign liquor) carries moderate to high duties, and imported spirits get hit with additional customs components.
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FL-III shops: these are the standard retail shops where you buy branded liquor. they’re found across all cities and towns. prices are largely fixed by MRP, but some shops near airports or tourist spots might charge slightly more.
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wine shops vs liquor shops: maharashtra has a separate licensing structure for wine. wine shops (FL-I) can sell wine and beer but not spirits. for whisky, rum, vodka, and gin, you need an FL-III licensed shop.
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dry districts: wardha and gadchiroli are officially dry districts in maharashtra. liquor sale and consumption is prohibited in these areas. some tribal areas also have restrictions.
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best time to buy: prices don’t fluctuate seasonally, but availability of imported brands can be spotty during peak demand (diwali, new year). buying a week before major celebrations ensures you get what you want.
for more detailed pricing in specific cities, check out the mumbai liquor price guide and pune liquor price guide.
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frequently asked questions
what is the legal drinking age in maharashtra?
the legal drinking age in maharashtra is 25 years. you need a valid government-issued photo ID to purchase alcohol from any licensed liquor store. maharashtra has one of the highest drinking ages in india.
why is liquor expensive in maharashtra?
maharashtra has one of the highest excise duties in india, which pushes up prices across all categories. the state uses alcohol taxation as a significant revenue source. a bottle that costs rs 550 in delhi can easily cost rs 700-850 in maharashtra.
what time do liquor shops close in maharashtra?
most liquor shops in maharashtra operate from 10am to 10:30pm. timings may vary slightly in different cities and during festivals. some areas in mumbai have extended hours at premium wine shops.
is liquor cheaper in goa compared to maharashtra?
yes, goa is significantly cheaper than maharashtra for almost every brand. a bottle of blenders pride that costs rs 850 in maharashtra might cost rs 550-600 in goa. many maharashtra residents stock up during goa trips.
what is the cheapest whisky in maharashtra?
officer's choice blue is among the cheapest branded whiskies in maharashtra at approximately rs 450-520 for 750ml. other budget options include mcdowell's no.1 and 8 pm in the rs 500-600 range.
can you buy liquor online in maharashtra?
maharashtra has allowed online liquor delivery in select cities, primarily mumbai and pune, through licensed platforms. availability varies and regulations change frequently. walk-in retail shops remain the most reliable option.
what is the difference between FL-II and FL-III licenses in maharashtra?
FL-II license is for selling country liquor (desi) while FL-III is for selling indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and imported brands. most retail shops you visit for branded liquor operate under FL-III licenses.
is old monk available in maharashtra?
yes, old monk is available across maharashtra but priced higher than most north indian states. the 750ml bottle costs approximately rs 400-480 in maharashtra compared to rs 300-350 in delhi or UP.
which is cheaper for liquor - mumbai or pune?
prices are largely similar across maharashtra since MRP is state-regulated. however, some shops in pune may have marginally lower prices due to lower overhead costs compared to mumbai's premium retail locations.
what are dry days in maharashtra?
maharashtra observes dry days on republic day, independence day, gandhi jayanti, and select election days. liquor shops remain closed, and serving alcohol is prohibited in restaurants and bars on these days.