The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) has announced its bestselling products for the year, and the winner is no surprise: Tito’s Vodka has claimed the top spot for the eighth consecutive year.
Customers in Virginia purchased $75 million of Tito’s over the year. The second most popular was Hennessy VS Cognac, with $32.2 million in sales. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey was next, with $27.4 million, then Jim Beam Bourbon at $22 million and Patron Silver tequila at $20.3 million.
After that was Jameson Irish Whiskey ($20 million), Maker’s Mark Bourbon ($19 million), Lunazol Blanco Tequila ($18 million), Grey Goose Vodka ($17.6 million), and Woodford Reserve Bourbon ($17.3 million).
Across the board, vodka was the most popular spirit in the commonwealth, with 1.6 million cases sold. Tequila was in second place with 1.1 million cases, followed by bourbon whiskey at 800,181 cases. Next was cordials at 526,040 cases and rum at 406,326 cases. Sales of ready-to-drink cocktails grew by 9.5 percent.
While Virginia’s top spirit is not locally made (Tito’s is based in Austin, Texas), ABC stores sell 400 spirits that are made right in Virginia. Of those, the top sellers were Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon, followed by John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon, Cirrus Vodka, Isaac Bowman Port Finish Whiskey, and Waterman Spirits Perfect Crush.
If you’re heading to an ABC store over the holidays, note the special hours. ABC stores are open until 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve (two hours later than in previous years) and noon to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Feature image of top five spirits courtesy Virginia ABC
