A weather-beaten price board hangs outside a CSD canteen in Kolkata, written in blue ink and fading in the sun. Defence personnel know it well. Everyone else has only heard rumours that “army liquor is dirt cheap.” So we read the board line by line and checked it against Kolkata’s civilian prices. The answer is more interesting than the rumour.
How CSD Prices Work
The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) exists to supply goods to service personnel at rates cheaper than the market. According to a CAG audit report, the basic price is the same across India and local taxes like excise are added on top. States also allow concessional excise on CSD liquor. Media reports put CSD liquor at roughly 30–50% below market rates, and purchases are controlled by quota and digital monitoring.
CSD Canteen Liquor Price List: The Complete Price Board
The board does not show bottle sizes, so we assume 750 ml for spirits. Wines marked 375 ml are listed as such. A dash means the price was blank on the board.
Scotch and Premium Malts
| Brand | CSD Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Rampur Indian Malt | 5,399.09 |
| Indri Single Malt | 3,163.78 |
| Godawan 01 Rich & Rounded | 2,878.16 |
| Godawan 02 Fruit & Spice | 2,878.16 |
| Paul John Brilliance | 2,252.89 |
| Amrut Fusion | 2,246.53 |
| Amrut Amalgam | 1,989.26 |
| Paul John Nirvana | 1,739.19 |
| Black Dog Triple Gold | 1,692.54 |
| 100 Pipers 12 Yrs | 1,638.87 |
| Ballantine’s | 1,634.71 |
| Teacher’s 50 | — |
| Black Dog Centenary | 1,226.23 |
| Black & White | 1,219.30 |
| Teacher’s Highland | 1,200.16 |
| 100 Pipers | 1,178.13 |
| VAT 69 | 959.98 |
| Old Smuggler | 951.68 |
Whisky
| Brand | CSD Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Blenders Pride Reserve | 665.43 |
| Golfer Shot Premium | 559.12 |
| Antiquity | 532.42 |
| Signature Premium | 519.77 |
| Blenders Pride | 514.24 |
| Sterling Reserve B-10 | 513.96 |
| Captain’s Select | 505.02 |
| Pentagon | 489.78 |
| Oaken Glow | 472.03 |
| Signature | 441.03 |
| After Dark | 409.54 |
| White & Blue Premium | 367.16 |
| Discovery Elite | 358.68 |
| Royal Stag | 323.61 |
| Royal Challenge | 307.41 |
| Officer’s Choice Blue | 284.14 |
| McDowell’s No.1 | 280.56 |
| 8PM | 249.37 |
| Imperial Premium, Dennis Special, RC American Pride | — |
Gin and Vodka
| Brand | CSD Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Jaisalmer Gin | 2,633.93 |
| Bombay Dry Gin | 1,222.98 |
| Greater Than London Gin | 573.08 |
| Smoke Vodka Aniseed | 1,268.47 |
| Smoke Vodka Classic | 944.86 |
| Smirnoff Apple | 550.22 |
| Smirnoff Orange | 548.02 |
| Smirnoff | 443.49 |
| Magic Moments Green Apple / Orange | 331.82 each |
| Magic Moments | 311.81 |
Rum and Brandy
| Brand | CSD Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Bacardi Oro | 490.13 |
| Grenade Rum | 439.55 |
| Old Monk The Legend | 426.54 |
| Bacardi Black | 311.30 |
| Lion Daddy | 306.05 |
| Matured 1965 | 278.44 |
| Old Monk | 258.61 |
| Madira | 252.96 |
| Contessa | 252.56 |
| McDowell’s No.1 Rum | 252.45 |
| Bermuda | 248.85 |
| Tropicana | 228.32 |
| Master’s Imperial French Brandy | 582.02 |
| Morpheus Brandy | 499.36 |
| Mansion House Brandy | 334.28 |
Wine, Beer and Breezer
| Brand | CSD Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Fratelli Sette | 1,843.14 |
| Fratelli Gran | 1,019.40 |
| Fratelli Chardonnay | 701.94 |
| Fratelli Cabernet Franc Shiraz | 642.70 |
| Cabernet | 614.61 |
| Sula Brut Crémant de Nashik | 818.18 |
| Sula (red/white, various) | 452.06–522.39 |
| Fratelli Classic Shiraz | 449.50 |
| Wine 375 ml (Cabernet / Sula) | 340.20 / 268.06 |
| Budweiser Magnum | 78.99 |
| Budweiser King | 61.86 |
| Kingfisher Strong | 61.03 |
| Kingfisher Premium | 52.38 |
| Breezer Jamaican / Cranberry | 70.18 / 66.99 |
CSD vs Kolkata Prices: The Discount
These are approx. indicative figures. Verify them at the shop before buying.
| Brand | CSD (₹) | Kolkata (₹) | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Than London Gin | 573.08 | 1,960 | 70.8% |
| Royal Challenge | 307.41 | 1,000 | 69.3% |
| Royal Stag | 323.61 | 980 | 67.0% |
| Antiquity Blue | 532.42 | 1,610 | 66.9% |
| McDowell’s No.1 Whisky | 280.56 | 770 | 63.6% |
| Sterling Reserve B-10 | 513.96 | 1,360 | 62.2% |
| Old Monk The Legend | 426.54 | 1,120 | 61.9% |
| McDowell’s No.1 Rum | 252.45 | 640 | 60.6% |
| Officer’s Choice Blue | 284.14 | 720 | 60.5% |
| Smirnoff (Triple Distilled) | 443.49 | 1,110 | 60.0% |
| Old Monk XXX | 258.61 | 640 | 59.6% |
| Blenders Pride Reserve | 665.43 | 1,640 | 59.4% |
| Smirnoff Green Apple | 550.22 | 1,350 | 59.2% |
| VAT 69 | 959.98 | 2,340 | 59.0% |
| Bombay Sapphire | 1,222.98 | 2,970 | 58.8% |
| Amrut Fusion | 2,246.53 | 5,190 | 56.7% |
| Paul John Brilliance | 2,252.89 | 5,190 | 56.6% |
| 100 Pipers 12 Yrs | 1,638.87 | 3,510 | 53.3% |
| Paul John Nirvana | 1,739.19 | 3,630 | 52.1% |
| Black Dog Triple Gold | 1,692.54 | 3,500 | 51.6% |
| Teacher’s Highland | 1,200.16 | 2,450 | 51.0% |
| 100 Pipers Deluxe | 1,178.13 | 2,390 | 50.7% |
| Black & White | 1,219.30 | 2,400 | 49.2% |
| Black Dog Centenary | 1,226.23 | 2,380 | 48.5% |
| Amrut Amalgam | 1,989.26 | 3,840 | 48.2% |
| Ballantine’s Finest | 1,634.71 | 2,820 | 42.0% |
| Fratelli Classic Shiraz | 449.50 | 694 | 35.2% |
| Fratelli Cabernet Franc Shiraz | 642.70 | 952 | 32.5% |
| Breezer Cranberry (275 ml) | 66.99 | 98 | 31.6% |
| Fratelli Chardonnay | 701.94 | 991 | 29.2% |
| Breezer Jamaican (275 ml) | 70.18 | 98 | 28.4% |
| Fratelli Gran Cuvée Brut | 1,019.40 | 1,388 | 26.6% |
| Sula Brut Crémant de Nashik | 818.18 | 1,110 | 26.3% |
| Morpheus Brandy | 499.36 | 628 | 20.5% |
| Fratelli Sette | 1,843.14 | 2,171 | 15.1% |
| Madira Rum | 252.96 | 245 | −3.2% |
| 8PM Bermuda Rum | 248.85 | 241 | −3.3% |
| Mansion House Brandy | 334.28 | 310 | −7.8% |
| Tropicana Rum | 228.32 | 197 | −15.9% |
What the Numbers Tell Us
- Whisky, gin and vodka: Most mainstream brands are about 59–70% cheaper than Kolkata retail.
- Scotch and Indian malts: Savings run about 42–59%, with Ballantine’s at the low end.
- Wine: The discount is 15–35%, noticeably smaller.
- Budget rums and brandy: A few cheap local brands cost about the same as Kolkata retail, or slightly more.
The reason is simple. Kolkata’s high retail prices on mainstream whisky and Scotch leave plenty of room for a canteen discount. Rock-bottom local brands leave almost none. If you are buying a ₹200-plus rum, the canteen is not automatically the better deal.
Who Can Buy, and the Rules
CSD liquor is for authorised defence personnel only. Purchases are subject to quota, and reselling subsidised bottles is illegal. State excise rules for West Bengal are published by the Excise Directorate. Please drink responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSD liquor really cheaper?
For most mainstream whisky, Scotch, gin and vodka, yes. For cheap local rums and brandy, the gap is close to zero.
Which brand has the biggest discount here?
Greater Than London Gin at about 71%, followed by Royal Challenge and Royal Stag.
Do CSD prices change?
Yes. Prices are revised periodically, so check the latest board at your canteen.
For more explainers and price guides, visit TechnoSports.
Note: This post is only for educational purposes. TechnoSports does not encourage drinking.
How CSD Prices Work?
The Canteen Stores Department ( CSD ) exists to supply goods to service personnel at rates cheaper than the market. According to a CAG audit report , the basic price is the same across India and local taxes like excise are added on top. States also allow concessional excise on CSD liquor.
What the Numbers Tell Us?
The reason is simple. Kolkata’s high retail prices on mainstream whisky and Scotch leave plenty of room for a canteen discount. Rock-bottom local brands leave almost none. If you are buying a ₹200-plus rum, the canteen is not automatically the better deal.
Who Can Buy, and the Rules?
CSD liquor is for authorised defence personnel only. Purchases are subject to quota, and reselling subsidised bottles is illegal. State excise rules for West Bengal are published by the Excise Directorate . Please drink responsibly.
