Speciality Spirits.

Cardew

Mnoee said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

liqueurs have always been a lower % alcohol compared to the spirit they are made with.

That is not correct - Drambuie - a whisky based liqueur is 40% ABV,  Grand Marnier - cognac based is 40% ABV, Cointreau is 40% ABV, Benedictine is 40% ABV and many lesser known liqueurs are 40% ABV or higher.

However that wasn't the issue! Duty is charged on the alcohol content and I was pointing out that many of these 'speciality' drinks are low in alcohol, yet high in price. In the example I gave a 20% ABV gin based drink is £21.98 a litre.

 

Okay, many liqueurs are lower alcohol, not all.

But in terms of price, its nothing to do with the tax and all to do with what the seller thinks the market will bear, if people pay that price for it, they will charge it.

Exactly my point.

Sorry, I thought your point was that they are too expensive and customers don't realise they are paying over the odds?

I was certainly making the point that I thought they were too expensive. However what I wrote was:

'I wonder how many customers appreciate they are paying over 50% a litre extra for Gin that is just over half the alcohol strength of ‘standard’ Gin.'

The operative word is 'wonder' and some people, doubtless yourself, are fully aware of the situation.

On a money saving website I was merely making a point on value.

If the only thing you care about is abv, they're not good value. If you want the most alcohol for the least money, then Frosty Jack's is £1.59 for 1L at 7.5% in B&M. Most people buy alcohol they enjoy the flavour and experience of, and frankly, the cost of anything in a supermarket is dirt cheap compared to pubs. 

Thank you for the advice. Have you posted a review of the drink and similar products?

briskbeats

Mnoee said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

liqueurs have always been a lower % alcohol compared to the spirit they are made with.

That is not correct - Drambuie - a whisky based liqueur is 40% ABV,  Grand Marnier - cognac based is 40% ABV, Cointreau is 40% ABV, Benedictine is 40% ABV and many lesser known liqueurs are 40% ABV or higher.

However that wasn't the issue! Duty is charged on the alcohol content and I was pointing out that many of these 'speciality' drinks are low in alcohol, yet high in price. In the example I gave a 20% ABV gin based drink is £21.98 a litre.

 

Okay, many liqueurs are lower alcohol, not all.

But in terms of price, its nothing to do with the tax and all to do with what the seller thinks the market will bear, if people pay that price for it, they will charge it.

Exactly my point.

Sorry, I thought your point was that they are too expensive and customers don't realise they are paying over the odds?

I was certainly making the point that I thought they were too expensive. However what I wrote was:

'I wonder how many customers appreciate they are paying over 50% a litre extra for Gin that is just over half the alcohol strength of ‘standard’ Gin.'

The operative word is 'wonder' and some people, doubtless yourself, are fully aware of the situation.

On a money saving website I was merely making a point on value.

If the only thing you care about is abv, they're not good value. If you want the most alcohol for the least money, then Frosty Jack's is £1.59 for 1L at 7.5% in B&M. Most people buy alcohol they enjoy the flavour and experience of, and frankly, the cost of anything in a supermarket is dirt cheap compared to pubs. 

In Scotland, with thanks to minimum pricing unit - a 3 litre bottle of FJs is £11.25!

Rosa_Damascena

Mnoee said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

liqueurs have always been a lower % alcohol compared to the spirit they are made with.

That is not correct - Drambuie - a whisky based liqueur is 40% ABV,  Grand Marnier - cognac based is 40% ABV, Cointreau is 40% ABV, Benedictine is 40% ABV and many lesser known liqueurs are 40% ABV or higher.

However that wasn't the issue! Duty is charged on the alcohol content and I was pointing out that many of these 'speciality' drinks are low in alcohol, yet high in price. In the example I gave a 20% ABV gin based drink is £21.98 a litre.

 

Okay, many liqueurs are lower alcohol, not all.

But in terms of price, its nothing to do with the tax and all to do with what the seller thinks the market will bear, if people pay that price for it, they will charge it.

Exactly my point.

Sorry, I thought your point was that they are too expensive and customers don't realise they are paying over the odds?

I was certainly making the point that I thought they were too expensive. However what I wrote was:

'I wonder how many customers appreciate they are paying over 50% a litre extra for Gin that is just over half the alcohol strength of ‘standard’ Gin.'

The operative word is 'wonder' and some people, doubtless yourself, are fully aware of the situation.

On a money saving website I was merely making a point on value.

If the only thing you care about is abv, they're not good value. If you want the most alcohol for the least money, then Frosty Jack's is £1.59 for 1L at 7.5% in B&M. Most people buy alcohol they enjoy the flavour and experience of, and frankly, the cost of anything in a supermarket is dirt cheap compared to pubs. 

Moot point when pubs are shut. Alcohol is expensive and I certainly look for value for money here. I'd rather stick with the standard proof I'm used to - 40% - and dilute down to my own taste. Not that I drink very often these days.

In answer to the OP's question, yes I always check and think the 20% gin liqueurs are a total waste of money. I can always macerate clean berries in a shot of gin for a while, strain and get the same effect.

Mnoee

Cardew said:

Mnoee said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

liqueurs have always been a lower % alcohol compared to the spirit they are made with.

That is not correct - Drambuie - a whisky based liqueur is 40% ABV,  Grand Marnier - cognac based is 40% ABV, Cointreau is 40% ABV, Benedictine is 40% ABV and many lesser known liqueurs are 40% ABV or higher.

However that wasn't the issue! Duty is charged on the alcohol content and I was pointing out that many of these 'speciality' drinks are low in alcohol, yet high in price. In the example I gave a 20% ABV gin based drink is £21.98 a litre.

 

Okay, many liqueurs are lower alcohol, not all.

But in terms of price, its nothing to do with the tax and all to do with what the seller thinks the market will bear, if people pay that price for it, they will charge it.

Exactly my point.

Sorry, I thought your point was that they are too expensive and customers don't realise they are paying over the odds?

I was certainly making the point that I thought they were too expensive. However what I wrote was:

'I wonder how many customers appreciate they are paying over 50% a litre extra for Gin that is just over half the alcohol strength of ‘standard’ Gin.'

The operative word is 'wonder' and some people, doubtless yourself, are fully aware of the situation.

On a money saving website I was merely making a point on value.

If the only thing you care about is abv, they're not good value. If you want the most alcohol for the least money, then Frosty Jack's is £1.59 for 1L at 7.5% in B&M. Most people buy alcohol they enjoy the flavour and experience of, and frankly, the cost of anything in a supermarket is dirt cheap compared to pubs. 

Thank you for the advice. Have you posted a review of the drink and similar products?

It can be turned into a lovely spiced cider, if you heat a little with cinnamon, cloves, any of those Christmassy spices then add a little of the spice mix to your glass. At least that's how I managed to stomach it as a skint student! 

What's your take on Aldi gin? As nice as Hendricks? That's only 41.4%, but twice the price of Aldi's at 37.5%! It's almost like alcohol is a luxury item and many brands and styles are available at multiple price. 

Cardew

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Rosa_Damascena

Mnoee said:

Cardew said:

Mnoee said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

Cardew said:

jon81uk said:

liqueurs have always been a lower % alcohol compared to the spirit they are made with.

That is not correct - Drambuie - a whisky based liqueur is 40% ABV,  Grand Marnier - cognac based is 40% ABV, Cointreau is 40% ABV, Benedictine is 40% ABV and many lesser known liqueurs are 40% ABV or higher.

However that wasn't the issue! Duty is charged on the alcohol content and I was pointing out that many of these 'speciality' drinks are low in alcohol, yet high in price. In the example I gave a 20% ABV gin based drink is £21.98 a litre.

 

Okay, many liqueurs are lower alcohol, not all.

But in terms of price, its nothing to do with the tax and all to do with what the seller thinks the market will bear, if people pay that price for it, they will charge it.

Exactly my point.

Sorry, I thought your point was that they are too expensive and customers don't realise they are paying over the odds?

I was certainly making the point that I thought they were too expensive. However what I wrote was:

'I wonder how many customers appreciate they are paying over 50% a litre extra for Gin that is just over half the alcohol strength of ‘standard’ Gin.'

The operative word is 'wonder' and some people, doubtless yourself, are fully aware of the situation.

On a money saving website I was merely making a point on value.

If the only thing you care about is abv, they're not good value. If you want the most alcohol for the least money, then Frosty Jack's is £1.59 for 1L at 7.5% in B&M. Most people buy alcohol they enjoy the flavour and experience of, and frankly, the cost of anything in a supermarket is dirt cheap compared to pubs. 

Thank you for the advice. Have you posted a review of the drink and similar products?

It can be turned into a lovely spiced cider, if you heat a little with cinnamon, cloves, any of those Christmassy spices then add a little of the spice mix to your glass. At least that's how I managed to stomach it as a skint student! 

What's your take on Aldi gin? As nice as Hendricks? That's only 41.4%, but twice the price of Aldi's at 37.5%! It's almost like alcohol is a luxury item and many brands and styles are available at multiple price. 

It is, hence the heavy taxation.

p00hsticks

Cardew said:

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Well, let's say £20.71 a litre......

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gordons-alcohol-free-70cl

Cardew

p00hsticks said:

Cardew said:

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Well, let's say £20.71 a litre......

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gordons-alcohol-free-70cl

Thanks, that certainly trumps the Aldi example I gave.

I had forgotten that I had seen that in Sainsburys displayed next to regular bottles and at the same price.

p00hsticks

Cardew said:

p00hsticks said:

Cardew said:

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Well, let's say £20.71 a litre......

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gordons-alcohol-free-70cl

Thanks, that certainly trumps the Aldi example I gave.

I had forgotten that I had seen that in Sainsburys displayed next to regular bottles and at the same price.

Cardew said:

p00hsticks said:

Cardew said:

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Well, let's say £20.71 a litre......

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gordons-alcohol-free-70cl

Thanks, that certainly trumps the Aldi example I gave.

I had forgotten that I had seen that in Sainsburys displayed next to regular bottles and at the same price.

Many, many moons ago I worked for a large brewer and they were just introducing low-alcohol / alcohol free beers.

At the time these were made by brewing the beer as usual and then extracting the alcohol (I can't remember if this was done by heating or cooling). This mean that it was actually more expensive to produce the alcohol free variety than the alcoholic one since an addiitonal process was required. 

I also vaguely seem to recall something about the brewery arguing about initially having to pay duty on the alcohol free variety because at that time  the duty calculation had to be done at the point when the alcoholic volume was highest (i.e.e before the alcohol was removed ) but it's all a bit hazy now (too much alcohol over the years !) and I'm sure doesn't happen now....

briskbeats

p00hsticks said:

Cardew said:

p00hsticks said:

Cardew said:

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Well, let's say £20.71 a litre......

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gordons-alcohol-free-70cl

Thanks, that certainly trumps the Aldi example I gave.

I had forgotten that I had seen that in Sainsburys displayed next to regular bottles and at the same price.

Cardew said:

p00hsticks said:

Cardew said:

MysteryMe said:

Whilst the retailer is getting a bigger margin thanks to lower duty, I imagine for most people it's the taste of the drink that is the driving force towards a purchase rather than ABV.

The extension of that reasoning is that most people would be prepared to pay £21.98 a litre for a nice tasting drink with a zero% ABV

Well, let's say £20.71 a litre......

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gordons-alcohol-free-70cl

Thanks, that certainly trumps the Aldi example I gave.

I had forgotten that I had seen that in Sainsburys displayed next to regular bottles and at the same price.

Many, many moons ago I worked for a large brewer and they were just introducing low-alcohol / alcohol free beers.

At the time these were made by brewing the beer as usual and then extracting the alcohol (I can't remember if this was done by heating or cooling). This mean that it was actually more expensive to produce the alcohol free variety than the alcoholic one since an addiitonal process was required. 

I also vaguely seem to recall something about the brewery arguing about initially having to pay duty on the alcohol free variety because at that time  the duty calculation had to be done at the point when the alcoholic volume was highest (i.e.e before the alcohol was removed ) but it's all a bit hazy now (too much alcohol over the years !) and I'm sure doesn't happen now....

Similar reason to why decaffinated tea and coffee is more expensive than normal tea