After a 0.9% decrease in 2024, spirits volumes fell a further 1.4% in control states during the first eight months of this year, according to NABCA. The decline has moderated somewhat as the month of August’s decrease was less than 1% in control states. In spite of the negative trends across most categories, the overall spirits market managed a 1.3% increase in 2024, and is projected to eke out another gain this year, according to Impact Databank, boosted by RTDs and Tequila.

The largest control state, Pennsylvania, bucked the trend with a 3.2% increase during the first eight months of 2025, joining Mississippi as the only markets to post an increase year-to-date among the 18 control jurisdictions. As has been the case in recent years, Tequila (+2.9%) and prepackaged cocktails (+27.3%) were the only two categories to register an increase in control states so far this year.

Among the 15 largest suppliers in control states, the fastest-growing by far is Philadelphia-based Stateside Brands, owing to the rapid increase of its Surfside RTD label. Tito’s vodka from Fifth Generation remains the largest-selling spirit in control states by a two-to-one margin over Smirnoff vodka and Fireball cinnamon whisky in the year-to-date. Gallo-owned High Noon is number-one by volume in the U.S. market overall, according to Impact Databank.–Juan Banaag