UNDATED -- Things are looking up for American craft spirits producers as bottles fly off store shelves.-- An craft spirit industry report says U-S craft spirits had more than $3 billion in sales last year...that's nearly six million cases of bourbon, rum, gin, and vodka. The $3 billion in sales is up 18.5% from 2015.
Spirits author and expert Fred Minnick says some of the boon is being driven by people wanting to "buy local" but also by growing interest in cocktails. Minnick adds that Kentucky craft bourbon producers benefit by the close family atmosphere among distillers who are willing to help each other craft a better product.
The report was issued by the Craft Spirits Data Project which says the market share of U-S craft spirits reached 2.6% in volume and 3.8% in value in 2016, up from 2.2% (volume) and 3% (value) in 2015.
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