Mecklenburg ABC stores just set record sales of $68M. One liquor juiced the numbers
Salud! Tequila grabbed more spots on Mecklenburg County’s ABC Board’s recently released annual top 10 list, even as Tito’s vodka still dominated during a record-setting sales year.
A new name on this year’s list is Lunazul Blanco Tequila by Tierra de Agaves. The family-owned distillery’s president is Jorge Beckmann. The Beckmann family are descendants of the tequila dynasty by Don José Antonio de Cuervo.
Casamigos Reposado Tequila also made its debut along with the return of Casamigos Blanco Tequila. Casamigos is owned by actor George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. Casamigos Blanco dropped off the list in 2022 following its 2021 debut at No. 7.
Tequila had previously been popular as a shot but it’s now preferred to sip and use as a base in craft cocktails, Mecklenburg County ABC Board said in its recently released annual report for fiscal year 2023. The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Overall, Mecklenburg County liquor store sales spiked to nearly $68 million in gross profits in fiscal year 2023. That’s up over 15% compared to 2022, which previously held the sales record at nearly $59 million.
Liquor store sales in Mecklenburg County have continued to rise over the past five years with a 48% gross profit increase this year compared to 2019, according to the report.
This year, the board launched its ABC To Go mobile app and website, allowing customers to order ahead for pickup at all of its 30 stores.
About the top 10 liquor list
The top four spots on the list of 10 most purchased brands repeated each year since 2021.
Texas-based Tito’s vodka made the latest list twice as the No. 1 seller at 0.75-liter bottle and for No. 3 at 1.75-liter totaling over $17.7 million in sales.
Patron Silver retained its runner-up spot with over $7.5 million in sales, followed by Hennessy VS (cognac) in fourth with $6 million.
Fallen from the list are Grey Goose vodka and Maker’s Mark whisky.
Here’s the list:
Top liquors in Mecklenburg County
1. Tito’s Handmade Vodka (0.75-liter)
2. Patron Silver (tequila)
3. Tito’s (1.75-liter)
4. Hennessy VS (cognac) (.75-liter)
8. Jameson (whiskey)
9. Jack Daniel’s Black Label (whiskey)
10. Crown Royal (whiskey)
