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Jul 08, 2023

Virginia ABC: Vodka is Va.'s best

PublishedAugust 31, 2023byCourtney Mabeus-Brown Tito’s Handmade Vodka notched its sixth year as the commonwealth’s most popular liquor at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores in fiscal

PublishedAugust 31, 2023byCourtney Mabeus-Brown

Tito’s Handmade Vodka notched its sixth year as the commonwealth’s most popular liquor at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores in fiscal 2023.

According to VABC, the Austin, Texas-based craft vodka accounted for $72 million in sales in fiscal 2023, up $5.1 million over the prior year. Tito’s out-guzzled other spirits by a long shot; Hennessy VS cognac ranked No. 2 in sales at $44 million, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey chased behind, ranking No. 3 at $30.1 million, followed by Patron Silver tequila, at $28.6 million, and Jim Beam straight bourbon whiskey, which accounted for $24 million in sales.

Among the top 10 best-sellers, Jameson Irish whiskey rose to No. 6 and Maker’s Mark straight bourbon remained at No. 7. Crown Royal Canadian whiskey dropped to No. 8, Grey Goose vodka rose to No. 9 and Lunazul Blanco tequila joined the top 10, rising 10 spots to No. 10. Fireball whiskey fizzled, dropping to No. 14. The spirit, which has been among the state’s top 50 products, saw the year’s largest decline at 18.4%, with total sales dropping by $3.2 million.

The best-sellers list, released Tuesday, follows a report of record revenues for ABC in fiscal 2023. The authority topped off at $1.47 billion in gross revenues last year, up $54.3 million over the previous fiscal year.

Among Virginia’s top-selling categories for fiscal 2023, vodka led at 1.64 million cases sold, followed by tequila at 885,876 cases, an 18.4% increase from the previous year. Tequila, which grew from an 11.8% to 13.7% market share, shot past straight bourbon whiskey, which accounted for 780,777 cases in fiscal 2023, followed by cordials/liqueurs at 514,517 cases and rum at 470,292 cases.

The fastest-growing categories were moonshine at 25.6%, tequila at 18.4%, specialty drinks (such as gift sets) at 14.8%, domestic ready-to-drink cocktails at 10.1% and straight rye whiskey at 9.8%. The biggest declines were seen in Cognacs/Armagnacs at 14.6%, and Canadian whiskey at 10%. Sloe gin grew 64% but is Virginia ABC’s smallest category, with only 141 cases sold.

Sales of Virginia-distilled spirits increased to $24.1 million in sales, with more than 1 million bottles sold. Top sellers in that category included Bowman Brothers Virginia straight bourbon, at $1.6 million, Cirrus Vodka at $1.2 million, John J. Bowman Virginia straight bourbon, with $841,852 in sales, Isaac Bowman port finish whiskey at $623,848 and Virginia Highlands War Horn Whiskey, which accounted for $446,898.

Virginia ABC added four stores in fiscal 2023, bringing its total to 399.

Here are the top five stores by gallons sold:

Sales to restaurants and hospitality businesses down 19%, however

Sales rise $54M over FY22

Va. residents can win chance to buy bottles signed by Big Red's jockey