CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - A sharp increase in wine and liquor sales in Wyoming this year compared to last year is largely attributable to Wyoming’s healthy economy, according to Wyoming Department of Revenue Liquor Division Administrator Greg Cook.
Vodka and whisky remain the Cowboy State’s most popular spirts. But not everybody sticks to tradition with their liquor. Sales of apple-flavored whisky are taking off.
“There’s a new product out called Crown Royal Regal Apple,” Cook said. “It’s off to a great start, and I think that’s helping us.”
Under state law, all liquor and wine sold in Wyoming must be sold first through a state warehouse in Cheyenne. That’s done for tax reasons and it makes tracking trends with wine and liquor sales in Wyoming simple.
From January through Dec. 16, the state sold almost 17 percent more cases of spirits and wine than over the same period last year, the Casper Star-Tribune reports (https://bit.ly/1t963yD ).
The state grossed $5.9 million in liquor sales, up $950,157 from the previous year.
For the fiscal year that ended June 30, the state General Fund gained $15.5 million from license fees, excise taxes and markup of liquor from the warehouse, Cook said.
The most popular spirits in Wyoming are vodka, Lord Calvert Canadian whiskey, Crown Royal whiskey and Black Velvet Canadian whiskey.
“We’re so blue-collar, you know, whiskey and beer,” said Andy Czellecz, managing partner at Second Street Discount Liquor and Wine in Casper. “And that rings true with the blue-collar worker.”
Kyle Rigdon had his own theory about why whiskey is so popular.
“It’s so friggin’ cold,” he said as he picked up a bottle of Jim Beam Kentucky Fire at the store.
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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, https://www.trib.com
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