COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans set a record for liquor sales in 2012, spending nearly $850 million on the hard stuff.
Sales of liquor reached a record level of $849 million in 2012, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control announced yesterday.
That amount was $55.3 million more than 2011, an increase of 7 percent.
“Consumer tastes are becoming more sophisticated, and Ohioans continue to trade up buying more of the premium products,” Commerce Director David Goodman said.
For the second straight year, liquor purchased from wholesalers by retail permit holders such as restaurants, bars and clubs increased: 5.5 percent to $257.8 million.
“Strong wholesale indicates positive growths in Ohio’s economy as Ohioans are again patronizing restaurants and entertainment businesses,” Goodman said.
Dollar sales grew at a higher rate than consumption, Goodman said.
Ohioans bought 11.9 million gallons of liquor from the state’s 464 licensed agencies, an increase of 4.2% over 2011.
The top 10 selling brands of in Ohio for 2012 (by gallons sold):
1. Kamchatka Vodka – 364,914 gallons
2. Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey – 355,068 gallons
3. Bacardi Superior Light Rum – 287,378 gallons
4. Absolut Vodka – 281,898 gallons
5. Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey – 281,295 gallons
6. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – 279,512 gallons
7. Smirnoff Vodka – 271,204 gallons
8. Jagermeister – 256,526 gallons
9. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey – 231,888 gallons
10. Korski Vodka – 229,404 gallons
