StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
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StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ September/October 2015 6 F Y I R ye whiskey, bourbon's spicy cousin, is mak- ing a roaring comeback, according to new sup- plier data from the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS). Since 2009, rye whiskey volumes have grown 536% from 88,000 9-liter cases to over a half million cases (561,000) in 2014. In value terms, that translates into a 609% jump from slightly over $15 million in supplier revenues in 2009 to over $106 million in 2014. This represents approximately $300 million in retail sales ac- cording to David Ozgo, DISCUS Chief Economist. "The growth of rye whiskey has been phenomenal, given that as late as 2000, rye volumes were virtually nonexistent with only a handful of brands in the U.S. market," said Ozgo. "By 2014, there were over 100 brands, and the sheer numbers tell the story. While it still represents a small share of the overall American whiskey category, its growth is skyrocketing." RYE WHISKEY INCREASES MORE THAN 500 PERCENT SINCE 2009 PA Governor Vetoes Privatization Bill Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf exercised his veto power on July 2 to block a bill that would have privatized the state's liquor industry. The bill would have permit- ted private stores to sell wine and liquor. Presently, such products are purchasable only at state-controlled shops. Republicans who proposed the legislation are looking to lease Pennsylvania's wholesale operations, and eventu- ally shut down all state stores. "It is unfortunate that Gov. Wolf has rejected moving Pennsylvania into the 21st century when it comes to the sale of wine and spirits," Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) and Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) said in a statement. "We remain committed to our position that Pennsylvania should not be in the business of selling liquor." Wolf, a Democrat, countered in a statement of his own: "It makes bad business sense for the commonwealth and consumers to sell off an asset, especially before maximiz- ing its value." The bill passed through Pennsylvania's Re- publican-controlled legislature, largely along party lines. Not a single House democrat voted for the measure. NHLC SALES REACH RECORD HIGH The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) gross sales hit an all-time record of $642 million in Fiscal Year 2015, an increase of $21 million – or 3.4% over the previous fi scal year, according to unaudited NHLC sales fi gures. Total liquor net profi ts transferred to the New Hamp- shire General Fund reached a record $151.7 million, which is used to support many programs including edu- cation, health and social services, transpor tation and natural resource protection. "The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is commit- ted to generating record revenue year after year for the taxpayers of New Hampshire," said NHLC Chairman Jo- seph W. Mollica. Both spirits and wine sales grew in Fiscal Year 2015, which ended June 30. Total spirits sales were approxi- mately $357 million, an increase of 3.5 percent over the prior year, and total wine sales were approximately $284 million, an increase of 3.3 percent. During that time, NHLC sold 23.7 million bottles of spirits and 29.2 million bottles of wine. Since 2012, NHLC has renovated or relocated 19 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets across the state. " The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is committed to generating record revenue year after year " — NHLC Chairman Joseph W. Mollica