Alcohol Industry: Liquor/Spirits

This industry consists of operators engaged in distilling spirits (i.e. not beer or wine). Operators’ three main activities are engaged in distilling potable liquors (except brandies), blending liquors and mixing liquors with other ingredients. These spirits are then bottled and sold primarily to liquor wholesalers, as well as to other retail stores.

This dossier provides statistical information about the U.S. spirits market. Over the past few years, spirits sales have held a share of over a third of total alcohol retail sales in the United States.

This category includes establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing alcoholic liquors by distillation and in manufacturing cordials and alcoholic cocktails by blending, processing, or mixing liquors and other ingredients. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing industrial alcohol are classified in SIC 2869: Industrial Organic Chemicals, Not Elsewhere Classified, and those bottling purchased liquors are classified in SIC 5182: Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverages.

Spirits are beverages that contain purified ethyl alcohol—purified and potable ethanol. They are made from a fermented mash of grains, fruits, or vegetables. Such beverages are low in sugar and contain at least 35 percent alcohol by volume. Examples of distilled spirits include brandy, gin, tequila, vodka, and whiskey. Such drinks are referred to by a number of terms, including distilled beverages, liquor, hard liquor, mixed drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Distilled beverages do not include wine or beer.