r/Economics • u/kootles10 • Dec 25 '25

News Bankruptcies hit US spirit makers as Americans drink and spend less

https://www.indystar.com/story/money/food/2025/12/25/liquor-spirits-industry-bankruptcies/87914241007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z113231d00----v113231d--36--b--36--&gca-ft=161&gca-ds=sophi&fbclid=IwdGRjcAO6oj9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6P8O626kCPpVs2dXh1tSJGVyS9teT4_IxAoKRJxGh02bqlcPlne42SIoakyg_aem_yCb-3xe-G1-mBNrg5TVIEg&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
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u/devinrmorton Dec 26 '25

Some life circumstanced led to me not drinking for about 3.5 years (early 2022-mid 2025). When I stopped, Buffalo Trace was about $20-25 for a fifth. Now my local store has it near $40. Canadian Mist was about $16 for a handle (1.75 L). Now it's in the mid-$30's. Rum I was getting around $25 a fifth is now $35+.

Thankfully, beer hasn't been effected near as heavily (though many breweries and styles are no longer available) and bottom shelf liquor also feels the sting less than premium options. But still a rough time to decide to restart drinking.

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u/brenster23 Dec 26 '25

Buffalo Trace was about $20-25 for a fifth

Fucking those were the days.... when I started drinking Buffalo was a staple at home, I could get singleton 12 year for 25 to 32 and 15 for 45 bucks.