New York (CNN Business) American drinkers have a taste for premium alcohol, and that's giving liquor from whiskey to tequila a boost. Spirits gained market share compared to beer and wine for the ninth straight year in 2018, according to the Distilled Spirits Council, a national trade organization that represents distilled spirits makers in the United States. Much of that growth has been driven by increased sales of super premium liquors: Luxury products that cost $35 or more per bottle on average. Last year, super premium rum grew 26.8% by volume compared to 2017. In that period, super premium brandy and cognac grew 26.2%, American whiskey grew 16.9%, gin grew 14.7%, and tequila and mezcal grew 9.7%, according to the council.

Source: CNN March 06, 2019 21:22 UTC