COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans were bending the elbow at a record pace last year.
The Ohio Division of Liquor Control says total liquor sales in Ohio climbed to a record $898 million in 2013, up almost 6 percent from the previous year.
The top-selling brand was Jack Daniels whiskey, followed by Kamchatka vodka and Crown Royal whiskey.
“Ohioans continue to trade up, buying more of the premium products as consumer tastes become more sophisticated,” superintendent Bruce Stevenson said.
The state says retail dollar sales were strong in 2013 totaling $635 million, an increase of more than 7 percent. Wholesale sales of spirits to restaurants, bars and clubs increased by 2.5 percent to $264 million.
The state noted that sales grew at a higher rate than consumption. The amount of gallons of liquor sold increased 3 percent compared with 2012. The division sold 12 million gallons at its hundreds of contract agencies around Ohio.