According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for whiskey at home are 164.91% higher in 2024 versus 1979 (a $12.24 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 1979 and 2024: Whiskey experienced an average inflation rate of 2.19% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, whiskey costing $7.42 in the year 1979 would cost $19.66 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.30% during this same period, inflation for whiskey was lower.
In the year 1979: Pricing changed by 4.11%, which is above the average yearly change for whiskey during the 1979-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1979 (11.26%), inflation for whiskey was much lower.
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 1979. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | $7.42 | 4.11% |
| 1980 | $7.89 | 6.27% |
| 1981 | $8.33 | 5.67% |
| 1982 | $8.66 | 3.88% |
| 1983 | $8.85 | 2.27% |
| 1984 | $8.96 | 1.19% |
| 1985 | $9.26 | 3.33% |
| 1986 | $9.92 | 7.13% |
| 1987 | $10.03 | 1.12% |
| 1988 | $10.14 | 1.12% |
| 1989 | $10.45 | 3.10% |
| 1990 | $11.01 | 5.28% |
| 1991 | $12.12 | 10.16% |
| 1992 | $12.29 | 1.40% |
| 1993 | $12.52 | 1.79% |
| 1994 | $12.62 | 0.84% |
| 1995 | $12.79 | 1.34% |
| 1996 | $12.99 | 1.58% |
| 1997 | $13.30 | 2.38% |
| 1998 | $13.42 | 0.93% |
| 1999 | $13.72 | 2.22% |
| 2000 | $14.04 | 2.34% |
| 2001 | $14.46 | 3.00% |
| 2002 | $14.78 | 2.19% |
| 2003 | $15.08 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | $15.35 | 1.76% |
| 2005 | $15.58 | 1.48% |
| 2006 | $15.94 | 2.34% |
| 2007 | $16.29 | 2.16% |
| 2008 | $16.59 | 1.86% |
| 2009 | $17.21 | 3.75% |
| 2010 | $17.28 | 0.42% |
| 2011 | $17.35 | 0.39% |
| 2012 | $17.56 | 1.20% |
| 2013 | $17.87 | 1.78% |
| 2014 | $18.22 | 1.95% |
| 2015 | $18.28 | 0.34% |
| 2016 | $18.32 | 0.23% |
| 2017 | $18.28 | -0.24% |
| 2018 | $17.95 | -1.78% |
| 2019 | $18.27 | 1.78% |
| 2020 | $18.45 | 0.95% |
| 2021 | $18.82 | 2.04% |
| 2022 | $19.22 | 2.14% |
| 2023 | $19.56 | 1.74% |
| 2024 | $19.66 | 0.50%* |
* 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 | 222.807 |