OLCC: Record $531 million in liquor sales last year

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s gross sales for distilled spirits in 2014 totaled a record $531.6 million, 4.3 percent from the previous year, the agency announced Monday.

December 2014 was another record-breaking month for liquor revenue, totaling $61.3 million, $3.3 million more than the previous year.

Sales and distribution statistics indicate that popularity of distilled spirits, customers purchasing more expensive products, Oregon’s population growth and out-of-state sales are contributing factors to the increase, the agency said.

“We pride ourselves in providing an excellent selection of products,” said Steve Marks, OLCC executive Director. “More than 4,200 products are available to Oregon shoppers through regularly stocked items and special orders. This includes more than 500 products from Oregon-based companies.”

Oregon distilled spirits products totaled nearly $68 million, about 12 percent of the overall sales statewide. Whiskey is also a category that is increasing in popularity.

While 95 percent of the OLCC’s net profits are generated from distilled spirits sales, other sources of income the OLCC collects include: tax on beer and wine (4%), license fees (<1%) and miscellaneous income (0.1%).

For more information on where liquor revenue goes and distributions to individual cities and counties for the fiscal year visit the OLCC’s web page.