Whiskey priced at $7.42 in 2025→$7.49 in 2026

Whiskey Inflation Calculator

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Prices for Whiskey, 2025-2026 ($7.42)

Whiskey prices are 0.97% higher in 2026 versus 2025 (a $0.07 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 2025 and 2026, Whiskey experienced an average inflation rate of 0.97% per year. In other words, whiskey costing $7.42 in the year 2025 would cost $7.49 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.94% during this same period, inflation for whiskey was lower.

In the year 2025: Pricing changed by -0.85%, which is below the average yearly change for whiskey during the 2025-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2025 (2.71%), inflation for whiskey was much lower.

Price Inflation for Whiskey at home since 1952

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years with the largest changes in pricing: 1991 (10.17%), 1986 (7.13%), and 1980 (6.27%).

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 211% 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

Whiskey prices by year

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.

YearPrice (per 750 ml bottle)Price, inflation-adjusted
1986$7.40$22.63
1985$7.22$22.48

Yearly averages. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.


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Buying power of $7.42 since 2025

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Whiskey, over time, for $7.42 beginning in 2025. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
2025$7.42-0.85%
2026$7.490.97%*

* 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:

Year195219531954195519561957195819591960196119621963196419651966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
CPI57.90057.98358.29258.53359.05861.11761.39262.04263.05063.40863.68364.29264.69264.74265.25865.96766.91767.72569.35870.25871.75072.11773.22575.36776.58377.60880.78384.10889.38394.45098.117100.350101.542104.917112.400113.650114.933118.492124.750137.433139.358141.858143.050144.967147.258150.758152.158155.542159.183163.958167.550170.967173.983176.558180.700184.606188.032195.077195.893196.657199.015202.563206.510207.209207.684207.185203.498207.124209.085213.358217.917221.704222.436220.544222.677

Adjust whiskey prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2026 / CPI in 2025* 2025 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Whiskey at home was 220.544 in the year 2025 and 222.677 in 2026:

222.677 / 220.544* $7.42 = $7.49

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $7.42 in 2025 has the same "purchasing power" as $7.49 in 2026 (in the CPI category of Whiskey at home).


Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Whiskey at home in 1952. In addition to whiskey, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.