(The Center Square) – For North Carolinians at the liquor store, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is the overwhelming choice ahead of a 100% blue Weber agave tequila from Mexico.
Thursday’s audit release from first-term Republican state Auditor Dave Boliek’s office analyzed vendor performance requirements for the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Five contractually required key performance indicators reviewed for eight quarters showed on-time delivery and fill rate was not consistently met while cost metric, outstanding claims, and safety performance were achieved.
The report confirms a taste for the hard stuff delivers a strong pour of dollars into the purse of taxpayers.
Public revenue generated by the ABC system in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, respectively, were $713 million and $696 million. The money goes into the General Fund for the state budget, and then to counties and municipalities for alcohol education, law enforcement, rehabilitation and health services.
Leading the brands sold list were Tito’s Handmade Vodka 1.75 liters (165,250 cases) and Tito’s Handmade Vodka 0.75 liters (92,102). Don Julio Reposado 0.75 liters (92,060) was third, followed by Smirnoff 80 (PET) 1.75 liters (71,664) and Platinum 7X 1.75 liters (65,425).
High Noon Variety 12-packs, which include vodka, and Pinnacle Vodka 80 gave the clear, unaged, distilled spirit of water and ethanol a share of six of the top seven choices by consumers. Fireball Cannon Whiskey was eighth. Two more tequilas rounded the top 10.
The top ABC boards in the two fiscal years, measuring gross sales, were Mecklenburg County ($280 million), Wake County ($222.2 million), Greensboro ($80.8 million), New Hanover County ($72.6 million) and Triad Municipal ($66 million).
Boliek said, “North Carolina’s ABC System is a major source of state funding that comes with lots of intricacies, and our performance audit examined and provided layers of data behind that system. With key performance measurements holding the state’s alcohol distribution process to a high standard, this report gives a transparent overview of the supply, demand, costs, and where some improvements can be made.”
Seventeen states in America directly regulate sale, purchase and distribution of alcoholic beverages. There are 171 ABC boards in the 100 counties that operate 452 retail stores serving individuals and businesses. LB&B Associates has the state contract for warehousing and distribution from facilities in Raleigh and Clayton.
The commission accepted the findings of the audit, and recommendations. It cited the importance of the review for “valuable insight into solutions and opportunities for improvement.”
