Most liquor stores in Grand Cayman are stocked with top brands from around the world. Many also carry rare vintages of wine, champagne and port, host wine tasting events and sponsor major events annually.
You can purchase beer and wine by the case at the larger stores, and also count on expert advice on choosing a bottle of good wine from the staff.
You will also find rum, champagne and vodka, as well as all the mixers, chasers and non alcoholic beverages from the smaller stores.
While there are quite a number of liquor stores dotted around Grand Cayman, a few of the larger stores sell very good, but inexpensive wine. In addition to these stores, there are also wine vendors that will deliver the finest wines from around the world to your door.
Most liquor stores on Island offer deep discounts on a selection of liquors and you can easily purchase several cases of beer from most for that Saturday evening BBQ. A few of the larger stores stock quality nibbles and loads of party essentials such as nuts, cheeses, dips and chips.
Supermarkets in Cayman are not licensed to sell wines or spirits.
Liquor Stores & Wine Merchants
Grand Cayman has numerous liquor stores and wine vendors spread throughout the island so you will be spoiled for choice.
Local & Craft Beer
Places to indulge in a "cold one" are aplenty here on Grand Cayman. You'll find your favourite American brews at nearly all sports bars and pubs around the Island.
See below for a list of places that offer locally produced beer and a range of international and craft beers.
Fidel Murhpy’s Irish Pub & Restaurant (Tel: (345) 949 5189) offers a good selection of draught Irish beers on tap. It is Cayman’s oldest public house is the place to indulge in genuine Irish beer on tap. They have a selection of other top brews on tap as well as a selection of European, Canadian and American beers by the bottle. This is definitely one of Cayman’s favourite’s spots for a pie and pint. Major international sporting events are always showing on multiple big screens.
19-81 Craft Brewery, hopes to ignite a craft beer culture in Cayman – starting with the introduction of their three signature handcrafted beers: Island session is a Kolsch-style ale made with El Dorado hops to 4% ABV; the Cayman Blonde is smooth and well-rounded, balanced with a honey, caramel, malts and citrus aroma; and their Tropical IPA brings an Island twist to a classic US-East Coast India Pale Ale, with notes of mango, pineapple and grapefruit balancing the traditional cool bitterness of an IPA. 19-81 beers are available on tap at several local bars and restaurants. A dedicated tap room at the brewery is now open. Visit their website, www.1981brewingco.com for more information.
Duty on Alcohol & Tobacco
Liquor in the Cayman Islands carries a heavy duty which is often reflected in liquor store prices and the cost of drinks at bars and restaurants.
Duty on hard liquors such as rum starts at CI$11.85 per litre. This means that over a third of the average retail price of CI$30.99 for a litre bottle of Appleton VX rum consists of duty.
Duty on table wine is CI$3.60 per litre; dessert wine is CI$5.25; sparkling wine is CI$7.80; champagne is CI$10.80 per litre; sparkling wine is CI$7.80 per litre; overproof liquors are CI$15.98 per litre; liqueurs are CI$13.50 per litre; and duty on beer is CI$1.95 per litre.
So don’t forget to use your duty allowance (one bottle) when you fly back into Cayman!
The duty on cigarettes is CI$42 per carton of 200.
The duty on cigars is 102% of the value of the cigars.
The duty on electric cigarettes is 22%.