The sipping of distilled spirits in the commonwealth is showing no signs of slowing down, as the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control marked its 18th consecutive record-breaking year for sales in fiscal year 2016, which ended June 30.

ABC spokesperson Kathleen Shaw said in a Nov. 10 release that the department’s gross sales increased to $898 million, up $49.4 million over the previous year, while profits rose to $165 million, a jump of $13 million.

Retail sales grew 5.4 percent and licensee sales (sales to restaurants) climbed 7.4 percent during the same timeframe. The agency’s financial performance during the fiscal year can be attributed in part to the opening of eight new stores across the state, Shaw said.

Virginia ABC has contributed more than $9.5 billion to the state’s General Fund since 1934 to support state services, including substance abuse prevention and treatment, a release said.

Local ABC stores are located at Gloucester, Hayes and Mathe...