According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for whiskey at home were 249.79% higher in 2022 versus 1959 (a $18.53 difference in value).
The current national average price is $7.42 for "Bourbon whiskey, 375 ml-1.75 liter (cost per 25.4 ounces/750 ml)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1959 and 2022: Whiskey experienced an average inflation rate of 2.01% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, whiskey costing $7.42 in the year 1959 would cost $25.95 in 2022 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.73% during this same period, inflation for whiskey was lower.
In the year 1959: Pricing changed by 1.57%, which is below the average yearly change for whiskey during the 1959-2022 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1959 (0.99%), inflation for whiskey was higher.
The average price for Whiskey is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Bourbon whiskey, 375 ml-1.75 liter (cost per 25.4 ounces/750 ml):
| Year | Average price (Whiskey) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $7.40 | $7.32 |
| 1985 | $7.22 | $7.22 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Whiskey, over time, for $7.42 beginning in 1959. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | $7.42 | 1.57% |
| 1960 | $7.52 | 1.28% |
| 1961 | $7.56 | 0.60% |
| 1962 | $7.59 | 0.35% |
| 1963 | $7.68 | 1.19% |
| 1964 | $7.70 | 0.32% |
| 1965 | $7.73 | 0.41% |
| 1966 | $7.78 | 0.60% |
| 1967 | $7.87 | 1.22% |
| 1968 | $7.98 | 1.33% |
| 1969 | $8.07 | 1.08% |
| 1970 | $8.26 | 2.42% |
| 1971 | $8.37 | 1.30% |
| 1972 | $8.55 | 2.11% |
| 1973 | $8.59 | 0.51% |
| 1974 | $8.72 | 1.54% |
| 1975 | $8.98 | 2.93% |
| 1976 | $9.12 | 1.61% |
| 1977 | $9.24 | 1.34% |
| 1978 | $9.62 | 4.09% |
| 1979 | $10.02 | 4.11% |
| 1980 | $10.65 | 6.27% |
| 1981 | $11.25 | 5.67% |
| 1982 | $11.69 | 3.88% |
| 1983 | $11.95 | 2.27% |
| 1984 | $12.09 | 1.19% |
| 1985 | $12.50 | 3.33% |
| 1986 | $13.39 | 7.13% |
| 1987 | $13.54 | 1.12% |
| 1988 | $13.69 | 1.12% |
| 1989 | $14.11 | 3.10% |
| 1990 | $14.86 | 5.28% |
| 1991 | $16.37 | 10.16% |
| 1992 | $16.60 | 1.40% |
| 1993 | $16.90 | 1.79% |
| 1994 | $17.04 | 0.84% |
| 1995 | $17.27 | 1.34% |
| 1996 | $17.54 | 1.58% |
| 1997 | $17.96 | 2.38% |
| 1998 | $18.12 | 0.93% |
| 1999 | $18.52 | 2.22% |
| 2000 | $18.96 | 2.34% |
| 2001 | $19.53 | 3.00% |
| 2002 | $19.96 | 2.19% |
| 2003 | $20.36 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | $20.72 | 1.76% |
| 2005 | $21.03 | 1.48% |
| 2006 | $21.52 | 2.34% |
| 2007 | $21.99 | 2.16% |
| 2008 | $22.39 | 1.86% |
| 2009 | $23.23 | 3.75% |
| 2010 | $23.33 | 0.42% |
| 2011 | $23.42 | 0.39% |
| 2012 | $23.70 | 1.20% |
| 2013 | $24.13 | 1.78% |
| 2014 | $24.60 | 1.95% |
| 2015 | $24.68 | 0.34% |
| 2016 | $24.74 | 0.23% |
| 2017 | $24.68 | -0.24% |
| 2018 | $24.24 | -1.78% |
| 2019 | $24.67 | 1.78% |
| 2020 | $24.90 | 0.95% |
| 2021 | $25.41 | 2.04% |
| 2022 | $25.95 | 2.14% |
| 2023 | $26.41 | 1.74% |
| 2024 | $26.69 | 1.07%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Whiskey at home:
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| CPI | 57.900 | 58.040 | 58.280 | 58.640 | 59.180 | 61.400 | 61.340 | 62.300 | 63.100 | 63.480 | 63.700 | 64.460 | 64.667 | 64.933 | 65.320 | 66.120 | 67.000 | 67.723 | 69.362 | 70.262 | 71.746 | 72.115 | 73.223 | 75.369 | 76.585 | 77.608 | 80.785 | 84.108 | 89.385 | 94.454 | 98.115 | 100.346 | 101.538 | 104.915 | 112.400 | 113.654 | 114.931 | 118.492 | 124.754 | 137.431 | 139.362 | 141.862 | 143.054 | 144.969 | 147.262 | 150.762 | 152.162 | 155.538 | 159.185 | 163.962 | 167.554 | 170.969 | 173.985 | 176.562 | 180.700 | 184.606 | 188.032 | 195.077 | 195.893 | 196.657 | 199.015 | 202.563 | 206.510 | 207.209 | 207.684 | 207.185 | 203.498 | 207.124 | 209.085 | 213.358 | 217.917 | 221.704 | 224.070 |