Budget 2010

Something unusual happened last week in Ireland: our Minister for Finance reduced the price of alcohol. The price difference between here and Northern Ireland was enticing hordes of southerners across the border to load up on wine and spirits. While there, they were picking up the rest of their weekly shop. The government estimated the loss in VAT and excise for 2009 at between €72m and €112m.

To reduce the incentive to travel north, excise duty was reduced in the 2010 budget from €39.25 to €31.13 per litre of alcohol. There was an extra bonus too, with a drop in VAT from 21.5% to 21% (effective from Jan 1).

So what does it mean for a typical bottle of whiskey, 70cl, 40% ABV? We'll calculate the excise duty plus VAT on that duty before and after the budget:

Before:

40% * 0.7 * €39.25 * 121.5% = €13.35

After:

40% * 0.7 * €31.13 * 121% = €10.55

Reduction: €2.80

Enjoy!

John Hansell knows Irish whiskey

I refer you to a post on John Hansell's blog for a slew of Irish whiskey updates.

There is solid info on the changing composition of Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve from year-to-year, and news on the availability of Powers, Redbreast and Paddy in the US (I know that's going to make a certain person happy!).

Note also the implication behind the arrival of Redbreast 15yo in the US. Even in Ireland, we thought we had seen the last of this. It was so well-received, however, that there is more on the way for all of us. As a 46%, non-chill filtered, pure pot still Irish whiskey it's unique, and a real showcase for the traditional Irish style.