Bottoms up: Sales of hard liquor jump
BY SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE February 2, 2012 11:45AM
Updated: March 3, 2012 11:37AM
Hard liquor sales in the United States were up in 2011 from the previous year, according to the industry.
The Distilled Spirits Council said that last year saw a 2.4 percent growth in production — or 195.8 million 9-liter cases — a near return to pre-recession levels.
Compared with 2010, sales were up 4 percent to $19.9 billion, including a record $1.34 billion in spirit exports, the group said.
The industry credited the upswing to renewed confidence in the economy, more jobs and marketing innovation.
Vodka continues to be the industry’s top performer, with bourbon and Tennessee whiskey trailing behind.
Spirits now accounts for 33.6 percent of all alcohol sold.
Beer has 49.3 percent of the market and wine 17.1 percent.
Scripps Howard News Service
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