Pouring profits: Pennsylvania liquor and wine sales reports soar to new heights last year

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reported a record-setting year for 2022-23 in its annual report, achieving total sales of more than $3 billion.

Here in Pennsylvania, we like to drink. Some counties like to drink more than others, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s annual report.

The report details sales of wine and spirits (not beer) at the nearly 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores and online sales, as well as sales to the nearly 20,000 licensees (bars, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, etc.) across the state from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. 

It was a record-setting year in the commonwealth. In fiscal year 2022-23, the PLCB achieved total sales of $3.15 billion (including liquor and sales taxes), more than a $100 million increase over 2021-22’s then-record sales total of $3.02 billion. 

As a state, we spent the most on booze last December and November, $222 million, 

with a total of $310 million (12.3% of yearly sales) and $222 million (8.8% of yearly sales), respectively. 

The top three counties — Allegheny, Philadelphia and Montgomery — accounted for 35% of statewide sales. Clinton (11.4%), Juniata (9.8%) and McKean (9.4%) counties had the largest percentage increases over the prior year. Pike (-0.24%) and Potter (-53.75%) were the only two counties to see a decrease in sales.

So what did we drink? Whiskey ranked as the top share of sales in all 67 counties. Vodka had the second-highest share of sales in 63 counties, while red table wine ranked as the second-highest share of sales in four counties: Allegheny, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery. 

Top selling wine

Pennsylvanians love a glass of vino. The PLCB’s annual report showed that the 750 mL bottle of LaMarca Prosecco was the top seller among wines statewide between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. 

A total of 855,820 bottles of La Marca Prosecco were sold. The next most popular wine was the 1.5 L bottle of Cavit Pinot Grigio, with 571,219 bottles sold.

La Marca Prosecco was also the top seller in dollars, generating nearly $14 million in sales, besting the Cavit Pinot Grigio by more than $5 million.

Rounding out the top 10 selling wines by units:

• Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL
• Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 750 mL
• Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay 1.5 L
• Josh Cellars Chardonnay 750 mL
• Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend 750 mL
• Roscato Rosso Dolce 750 mL
• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 750 mL
• Barefoot Pinot Grigio 1.5 L

Top selling spirit

When it comes to spirits, Pennsylvanians seem to favor the cheap stuff—in small doses.

According to the PLCB, the 50-mL size of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey—which typically retails for 99 cents—is the top seller in the spirits category, just like last year. 

The report shows that a total of just over 4 million 50 mL bottles of Fireball Whiskey were sold in fiscal year 2022-23, accounting for $4.1 million in sales. About 1.5 million fewer units were sold of the next highest seller, the 50mL bottle of New Amsterdam Vodka, which generated $2.3 million in sales off of 2.38 million bottles sold—a 46% increase over last year.

Rounding out the top 10 spirits sold by units:

• Tito’s Handmade Vodka 1 L
• Tito’s Handmade Vodka 1.75 L
• Tito’s Handmade Vodka 750 mL
• New Amsterdam Pink Whitney Pink Lemonade Vodka 50 mL
• 99 Long Island Iced Tea Schnapps 50 mL
• 99 Peaches Schnapps 50 mL
• Crown Russe Vodka 1.75 L
• Yukon Jack Liqueur 50 mL