2020 Q3 Iowa Spirits - 9

rend, trendy, trending . . . no, not a
grammar student's attempt to conjugate, but a reflection of how a word
has, well, trended. Grab a drink, take a seat
and learn about liquor industry trends that
Iowans can appreciate.

THE SPIRITS WE PRIZE
People's preferences in drink
are sweeping across the
nation, like wind over a
wheat field. Americans'
choices are affecting
sales of beer, wine
and liquor. Iowans
reflect the American
population, while also
marching to the beat
of their own drummers.
In the fiscal year July
2018 to June 2019, Iowa
liquor sales were up 6.1 percent. Favorite Iowa spirits for the
year were Black Velvet Canadian
Whisky, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum,
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Tito's Handmade Texas
Vodka and Hawkeye Vodka.
Among Iowa distilleries, best-sellers included
Templeton's The Good Stuff 4-year Rye Whiskey,
Cedar Ridge Blended Bourbon, Swell Vodka,
Iowish Cream Liqueur, Cody Road Bourbon
Whiskey and Prairie Fire Hot Cinnamon Flavored
Whiskey.
Will 2020 change the stats?

WHAT'S IN YOUR GLASS?
When Americans pull out their wallets to purchase
a cocktail or a bottle, which spirits get the green
vote?
Whiskey still holds a top spot, but distillers of
the brown liquor aren't satisfied with the same old
same old. Not only do they want to woo new fans,
they want to bring extraordinary variations to the
diehard fans. Alcohol-industry media reporter
Beverage Dynamics reports that Diageo, BrownForman, Constellation Brands and Pernod Ricard
have recently invested significantly in acquiring
brown-spirits brands and/or expanding existing

LATE SPRING | SUMMER 2020 9

2020 Q3 Iowa Spirits

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