Virginia sees record liquor sales for 20th year in a row

Virginians bought more alcohol in the state's beverage control stores and restaurants as the state agency saw record sales for the 20th year in a row.

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority said in a new report that its total sales were $983.3 million in fiscal year 2018. That's up $43 million from the previous year.

The agency attributes the sales increase in part to opening five new stores across the state, including a superstore at Dulles International Airport.

Tito's Handmade domestic vodka was the number one seller in fiscal 2018, bringing in $33.4 million. Hennessy cognac, the top seller in 2017, was No. 2 with $33.1 million in gross sales.