If you’re a true whiskey lover, you probably already have a mental map of the best places in town to grab your favorite bottle. Better safe than sorry. You’ve got to do what it takes to avoid ending up with some of the 15 worst whiskeys of all time, right? But what about the places where you can score the best deals? It turns out that no matter where you go in California, you’re most likely to find a better bargain than anywhere else in the U.S. What’s your secret, Golden State?
According to an analysis carried out by Credello, for a little under $15 in California, you can get a 750 ml bottle of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Black Label — although you may not want to since it’s rated as one of the 12 bourbons you should leave on the shelf. Even so, this is pretty solid for such a classic coming from America’s oldest registered distillery. And just to give you an idea of how much of a steal that is, it’s less than half of what you would pay in Alaska, where the same bottle would cost you $32.
So if you’re based in California and you’re thinking of visiting family in another state, or you’ve been traveling around the country and just happened to land on the West Coast, stopping by the liquor store for gifts might not just be thoughtful — it also might just save you a few bucks. But, what’s the reason behind the state’s cheap booze?
California has one of the lowest alcohol taxes in the country
While California has some fairly high income and sales taxes, it’s a whole different story when it comes to booze, making it one of the best places to try out the must-know whiskey brands for beginners. A recent study conducted by Washington’s Tax Foundation shows that California’s distilled spirits tax ranks 40th in the U.S. This means that the state charges only $3.30 per gallon for distilled drinks that are 100 proof or less.
However, whiskey prices aren’t determined by taxation alone. If that were the case, Wyoming and New Hampshire, where state-run liquor stores keep prices nearly tax-free, or Missouri, which boasts the lowest tax in the country at $2 per gallon, would likely lead the country in liquor sales. Instead, Texas, Arizona, Maryland, Washington, and New Mexico are perhaps the next best states to find a good deal on that Jack Daniel’s bottle, with prices ranging between $18.49 and $18.99.
Whiskey prices are influenced by many factors, including distribution costs, shipping and storage expenses, government regulations, and ultimately local market demand. In addition, with 59 brandy and 70 distilled spirits manufacturers, California’s market is highly competitive. This greatly contributes to keeping whiskey prices down compared to other states. If you’re just passing through, it might be a good idea to grab a few bottles before you leave.
