Control State Spirits Volume Up 6.5% Year-To-Date

After a 17% surge in control states in March as drinkers stocked up during quarantines, spirits volume was basically flat in the 18 control jurisdictions in the month of April, according to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, with dollar sales up 3%. Volumes in the first four months of the year rose 6.5% cumulatively in control states, compared to a 3.7% gain for all of 2019. Nine control states posted double-digit gains in April, but were more than offset by large double-digit losses in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, the latter of which closed its retail stores for much of the month.

Only four major spirits categories increased in April in control states: domestic whiskies (+6.3%), Canadian whisky (+8.5%), brandy/Cognac (+8.5%), and pre-mixed cocktails (+40%). Declines were posted by vodka (-2.5%), Tequila (-1%), and Irish whiskey (-11%), primarily due to decreases in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Year-to-date, domestic whiskies (+12.6%) and pre-mixed cocktails (+29.6%) have registered double-digit gains through April, with cordials/liqueurs the lone category to post a decline (-2%), according to NABCA.

Tito’s vodka, the top-selling spirit in control states, grew 10.5% in April after surging 40% in the month of March. Tito’s volume in NABCA markets has increased 22% in the year-to-date, and it’s projected to surpass Smirnoff to become the nation’s leading spirits brand overall before the end of the year, according to Impact Databank. But among the 10 largest-selling spirit brands in control states, the fastest growth rates in April were registered by New Amsterdam vodka (+48%) and Hennessy Cognac (+35%).—Juan Banaag

Tagged : NABCA

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