Tito’s again leads Virginia ABC spirits sales

Virginians continue to gravitate toward vodka crafted in old-fashioned pot stills.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka far and away led sales at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores this year, the agency announced Thursday, marking its eighth consecutive year at the top.

The spirit generated $75 million in sales in fiscal 2025, about the same as in fiscal 2024.

The second-highest seller at Virginia ABC stores was Hennessy VS cognac, which sold more than $32 million. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 came in third with more than $27 million. With $22 million in sales, Jim Beam bourbon ranked fourth. Patrón Silver tequila saw more than $20 million in fiscal 2025 sales in Virginia ABC stores.

Rounding out the top 10 were: Jameson Irish Whiskey ($20 million); Maker’s Mark bourbon ($19 million); Lunazul Tequila Blanco ($18 million); Grey Goose vodka ($17.6 million) and Woodford Reserve bourbon ($17.3 million).

Six of the top 10 fastest-growing brands at Virginia ABC stores in fiscal 2025 were tequilas. Teremana Reposado Tequila had $14 million in sales this year, up from $9.2 million last year. Canadian whiskey also had a big year, with Crown Royal Blackberry Flavored Whisky growing by $4.4 million from fiscal 2024.

Hennessy VS cognac saw the largest overall decline in sales. It dropped by $6 million compared to fiscal 2024. Patrón Silver tequila saw a $5.4 million decrease in sales. While it had the highest sales in Virginia’s ABC stores in fiscal 2025, Tito’s declined by $236,017 from fiscal 2024.

The best-selling categories at Virginia ABC in fiscal 2025 matched those in fiscal 2024. Vodka was the top seller with 1.6 million cases sold, the same as last year. Tequila grew to 1.1 million cases, an increase from fiscal 2024’s 996,000 cases sold. Straight bourbon whiskey came in third with 800,181 cases sold. ABC stores sold 406,326 cases of rum and 526,040 cases of cordials. Ready-to-drink cocktails showed 9.5% growth in volume.

Virginia ABC carries nearly 400 Virginia-distilled spirits. Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon saw $2.4 million in sales in fiscal 2025, an increase over last year’s $2.2 million. John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon reached $1.8 million in sales, an increase from $1.1 million last year. Richmond-based Cirrus Vodka sales totaled $1.7 million in fiscal 2025, while Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Whiskey reached $787,546 in sales. Waterman Spirits Perfect Crush saw $606,377 in sales.

New items popular with customers at Virginia ABC stores included the spirits-based versions of BuzzBallz ready-to-drink cocktails ($2.4 million in sales). Fireball Blazin’ Apple whiskey sold $1.2 million.

In fiscal 2025, Virginia ABC collaborated with distillers and suppliers to increase the supply of sought-after whiskeys and bourbons, yielding an increase in sales. Sales of Buffalo Trace bourbon, now available on-shelf at all stores, grew by $1.4 million. Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked bourbon, a new product, brought in more than $500,000 of sales.

The profits Virginia ABC collects from distilled spirit sales at ABC stores and taxes collected on beer and wine sales go to the state. Since its establishment in 1934, Virginia ABC has contributed $13.9 billion to the commonwealth’s general fund.