Posted on 11/06/2025 10:48:39 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MGP, one of the largest whiskey distilleries in the U.S., saw a significant decline in sales in the third quarter of 2025, according to its press release on October 29. Consolidated sales decreased by 19 percent to $130.9 million and net income fell by 35 percent to $15.4 million.
Indiana-based MGP produces bourbon and rye whiskey for other brands and for its in-house brand, Ross & Squibb. Sales for its contract distilling line, Distilling Solutions, plummeted 43 percent to $40.9 million and Branded Spirits’ sales were down by three percent to $60.7 million from the previous year. Just the revenue from Ingredient Solutions, food-grade wheat proteins and starches, increased by nine percent.
This isn’t the first time the company has reported a drop in sales. Last year, the company issued a profit warning that forecast annual sales dropping to $700 million from $750 million. A month later, CEO David Bratcher said MGP would pull back on whiskey production because of a lack of demand.
Distillers across the country are worried.
“There’s a growing concern that our international consumers are increasingly opting for domestically produced spirits or imports from countries other than the U.S., signaling a shift away from our great American spirits brands,” Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the spirits council said in an October statement.
The issue appears to be twofold. Higher tariffs are discouraging foreign buyers, making it more challenging for spirits companies to stay afloat. Tequila and mezcal sales outpaced whiskey for the first time in 2023.
But Americans are also drinking less than ever. In a July Gallup poll, only 54 percent of U.S. adults said they drink alcohol. That’s the lowest number since 1939, when Gallup began tracking drinking trends.
Despite growing concern, MPG attempted to put the news in a positive light.
“Our third quarter results demonstrate the resilience of our business and our team’s ability to continue to deliver against our key initiatives amid ongoing industry headwinds,” said Julie Francis, MGP president and CEO, in a statement. She added that the company’s efforts and commitment “position MGP for sustained long-term value creation.”
Wine has been overpriced for far too long.
Knob Creek is my go-to bourbon, but Bulleit is a nice change of pace.
My main thing is driving. We have way too many distracted drivers on the road. Aggressive drivers who squeeze in just to get ahead one car length. They all drive 10 mph over the speed limit or more. I’m a nervous wreck. There’s no way I can face that chaos sober.
I don’t see mine listed. I have settled on Makers Mark.
I’m a bullet or buffalo trace never heard of those brands
I my case I cut back when I returned from 19 months overseas where I became an accomplished drinker in the Navy. When I returned three people at the country club where I had worked were dead exclusively from drinking. I was not willing to persist in that direction.
I had a friend die from alcoholism. Not a good way to go.
Michigan ended smoking in bars in 2009. I was in college.
Alright, time for college students to up their game! 🥃
God invented whisky to stop the Irish from ruling the world.
And nobody has even mentioned all the THC infused drinks taking shelf space in liquor stores. Best of both worlds?
I don’t drink any more. Of course I don’t drink any less. Had to get that chestnut in there.
If you really gave a damn about helping your fellow Freepers, you’d put the name of the company in the headline so we could tell whether we could be bothered to care without clicking.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-gen-z-is-drinking-less
Part of it is that people don’t socialize as much anymore, it’s just too expensive to go out, and they would rather just go on social media.
That’s also why pubs are dying in England.
They absolutely are. Numbers are also declining due to weight loss drugs and marijuana. But the story is about a decline in exports after hitting record levels last year.
It’s a conglomeration instead of single brand but I didn’t read the whole article.
Crisco Kid was a friend of mine. He drank whiskey. Pancho drank the wine.
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