Listen up booze enthusiasts1: Maine is adjusting how it determines its cut of liquor sales, which will result in price changes on February 1 for a number of products.
A story by Darren Fishell of the Bangor Daily News contains the lowdown, along with some pretty cool charts. A couple of interesting takeaways:
- The price of Allen’s Coffee Brandy, perennially Maine’s most popular liquor won’t change – except for the 375-milliliter size, which will increase by $.50;
- The largest percentage decrease in price will come for Five O’clock Vodka’s 375-milliliter bottle. The shelf price for this item (unofficial motto: “The Vodka to Have When You’re Having More Than Four”) will drop 25% (from $6 to $4.49); and
- The new pricing system sets a standard markup for spirits across a certain category and is designed to ensure predictability and a better deal for Mainers. Additionally, it’s designed to help the State compete with our hated neighbors in New Hampshire, whose lack of a sales tax allows them to play Lucy to Maine’s Charlie Brown and draws an estimated $30 million to $40 million away from Maine in revenue each year.
Check out the article for more detail on the changes.