US drinkers still crave direct-to-consumer spirits

Eighty two percent of regular craft spirits drinkers believe that US laws should be updated to allow for direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping.

Sovos Shipcompliant and the American Craft Spirits Association have published their 2023 Direct to Consumer Spirits Shipping report, which found that 87% of regular craft spirits drinkers want to be able to purchase products via direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping, up from 80% in 2022.

Of those who would be likely to purchase spirits DTC, 81% said they would do so once a month or more, up from 79% the previous year.

“As we can see, consumer demand for greater access to DTC shipping of spirits is real and increasing,” Alex Koral, regulatory general counsel at Sovos Shipcompliant said. “At the same time, distillers themselves are recognizing the value that expanded DTC opportunities could bring, and are working together with national and local guilds to advocate for changes to state laws.”

The report also indicated that 82% of regular craft spirit drinkers believe US laws should be updated to allow for direct-to-consumer shipping, up from 79% in 2022. Presently, eight states and Washington DC allow for interstate DTC spirits shipping, while 47 states and DC allow for interstate DTC wine shipping.

“It is notable how many DTC shipping bills have been introduced in large population states in recent years,” Koral said. “The passage of a clear, direct interstate DTC spirits shipping bill in even one or two could mark a tipping point where, as it were, as Texas or California goes, so goes the rest of the country.”

Additionally, the report found that 43% of regular craft spirits drinkers likely to purchase DTC said they would spend $100 or more a month, and 75% said they would be likely to sign up for a spirits subscription club from a distillery.

“It is only a matter of time before state laws catch up with the will of the people,” Koral said.