Whiskey prices are 47.74% higher in 2026 versus 1997 (a $3.54 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $7.42 in December 1986 for Bourbon whiskey, 375 ml-1.75 liter (cost per 25.4 ounces/750 ml). See observed price history.
Between 1997 and 2026, Whiskey experienced an average inflation rate of 1.35% per year. In other words, whiskey costing $7.42 in the year 1997 would cost $10.96 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.54% during this same period, inflation for whiskey was lower.
In the year 1997: Pricing changed by 2.38%, which is above the average yearly change for whiskey during the 1997-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1997 (2.34%), inflation for whiskey was higher.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of whiskey rose 3%, from $7.22 per 750 ml bottle in 1985 to $7.42 in December 1986, the last price it reported. Overall prices rose 213% over the same period, so whiskey rose more slowly than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for whiskey is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of bourbon whiskey, 375 ml-1.75 liter (cost per 25.4 ounces/750 ml) each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Yearly averages. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Whiskey, over time, for $7.42 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $7.42 | 2.38% |
| 1998 | $7.49 | 0.93% |
| 1999 | $7.66 | 2.22% |
| 2000 | $7.83 | 2.34% |
| 2001 | $8.07 | 3.00% |
| 2002 | $8.25 | 2.19% |
| 2003 | $8.41 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | $8.56 | 1.76% |
| 2005 | $8.69 | 1.48% |
| 2006 | $8.89 | 2.35% |
| 2007 | $9.09 | 2.16% |
| 2008 | $9.25 | 1.86% |
| 2009 | $9.60 | 3.75% |
| 2010 | $9.64 | 0.42% |
| 2011 | $9.68 | 0.39% |
| 2012 | $9.80 | 1.20% |
| 2013 | $9.97 | 1.78% |
| 2014 | $10.16 | 1.95% |
| 2015 | $10.20 | 0.34% |
| 2016 | $10.22 | 0.23% |
| 2017 | $10.20 | -0.24% |
| 2018 | $10.02 | -1.78% |
| 2019 | $10.19 | 1.78% |
| 2020 | $10.29 | 0.95% |
| 2021 | $10.50 | 2.04% |
| 2022 | $10.73 | 2.14% |
| 2023 | $10.91 | 1.74% |
| 2024 | $10.95 | 0.33% |
| 2025 | $10.85 | -0.85% |
| 2026 | $10.96 | 0.99%* |
* 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 57.900 | 57.983 | 58.292 | 58.533 | 59.058 | 61.117 | 61.392 | 62.042 | 63.050 | 63.408 | 63.683 | 64.292 | 64.692 | 64.742 | 65.258 | 65.967 | 66.917 | 67.725 | 69.358 | 70.258 | 71.750 | 72.117 | 73.225 | 75.367 | 76.583 | 77.608 | 80.783 | 84.108 | 89.383 | 94.450 | 98.117 | 100.350 | 101.542 | 104.917 | 112.400 | 113.650 | 114.933 | 118.492 | 124.750 | 137.433 | 139.358 | 141.858 | 143.050 | 144.967 | 147.258 | 150.758 | 152.158 | 155.542 | 159.183 | 163.958 | 167.550 | 170.967 | 173.983 | 176.558 | 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 | 222.436 | 220.544 | 222.730 |