COLUMBUS – Ohioans’ expensive palates drove liquor sales in the state to another record high in 2015, though actual drinking did not increase as much.
“Today’s consumers are seeking quality over quantity and buying more premium priced products than ever before. This practice of ‘trading up’ helped achieve record dollar sales without encouraging increased consumption,” said Jacqueline Williams, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Ohioans purchased – at liquor stores, bars or restaurants — $1.018 billion worth of spirits last year, an increase of $70 million or 7.3 percent, according to data released Tuesday by the state.
Dollar sales continued to outpace consumption, with the 13 million gallons sold representing an increase of only 3.9 percent over the previous year.
The state’s 466 contracted liquor stores accounted for $731 million of the sales, an 8 percent increase, while wholesale purchases by retail permit holders such as restaurants, bars and clubs totaled $287.1 million, an increase of 5.5 percent, according to the Division of Liquor Control.
“The increase in wholesale indicates positive growth and a strong Ohio economy as Ohioans are patronizing restaurants and other entertainment businesses,” Williams said.
The top 10 selling brands (by volume):
1. Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey – 379,492 gallons
2. Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey – 298,406 gallons
3. Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey – 291,609 gallons
4. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – 288,676 gallons
5. Bacardi Superior Light Rum – 287,901 gallons
6. Smirnoff Vodka – 283,801 gallons
7. Absolut Vodka – 272,521 gallons
8. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey – 266,670 gallons
9. Tito’s Handmade Vodka – 259,328 gallons
10. Kamchatka Vodka – 250,578 gallons
-Source: Ohio Div. of Liquor Control