Iowan's Favor Black Velvet

It's almost New Year’s Eve, Iowa, is there a bottle of Black Velvet or Blue Ox on hand for the celebration? Chances are, there's at least one of those in your liquor cabinet.

According to the QC Times, Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey continues its long reign as Iowa’s most popular liquor. The brand sold more than 160,000 cases in the most recent fiscal year, according to new data from the state department that monitors alcohol sales.

That’s easily more than Captain Morgan Spiced Rum which is a clear runner up.

Overall, liquor sales were up 6.1 percent over the previous fiscal year, the highest increase in at least five years, according to state data.

Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, Tito’s Handmade Texas Vodka and Hawkeye Vodka round out the top five liqueurs sold in Iowa in the state fiscal year.

Blue Ox Vodka, made in Grimes, was the best-selling Iowa-made liquor, with more than 12,600 cases. Templeton’s The Good Stuff 4-year Rye Whiskey sold more than 4,200 cases, and Cedar Ridge’s Blended Bourbon more than 3,200 according to the QC Times article.

Templeton and Cedar Ridge were the best-performing Iowa-based distillers: Templeton Distilling made more than $2 million in sales, and Cedar Ridge Vineyards nearly $1.8 million. Mississippi River Distilling in LeClaire was fourth, with $597,021 in sales.

Cheers to the new year and if you indulge a little too much, check out our article on the worst hangover myths here.