Ohio liquor sales reached record levels in 2015

January 27, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Ohio liquor sales reached record levels in 2015, with more than $1 billion and 13 million gallons sold, according to results released by the state commerce officials Tuesday.

The total compares with $949 million in spirituous liquor sold in 2014 and $898 million in 2013. Volume sales were 12.6 million gallons in 2014 and 12.3 million in 2013.

Liquor officials said the results show Ohio consumers are buying more premium beverages.

“Today’s consumers are seeking quality over quantity and buying more premium- priced products than ever before,” Jacqueline T. Williams, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, said in a statement. “This practice of ‘trading up’ helped achieve record dollar sales without encouraging increased consumption.”

Retail liquor sales in 2015 totaled $731 million, an 8 percent increase over the prior year. Wholesale sales, including liquor purchased at restaurants, bars and clubs, totaled $287 million, up 5.5 percent from 2014.

The top-selling brand in 2015 was Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, with 379,492 gallons sold. It was followed by Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey (298,406 gallons), Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey (291,609 gallons), Captain Morgan Spiced Rum (288,676 gallons) and Bacardi Superior Light Rum (287,901 gallons).

Other top sellers were Smirnoff Vodka (283,801 gallons), Absolut Vodka (272,521 gallons), Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey (266,670 gallons), Tito’s Handmade Vodka (259,328 gallons) and Kamchatka Vodka (250,578 gallons).

Spirituous liquor contains more than 21 percent alcohol by volume.

The state’s liquor control division oversees the manufacture and sale of alcohol in Ohio and serves as its sole purchaser and distributor. Liquor is sold through hundreds of private businesses that operate under contracts. The state receives sales revenues from liquor, as well as sales and liquor taxes. Consumers pay more than $3 per gallon on the latter.