PiggyBank Highlights Staggering Price Differences For Liquor In Ontario vs. Alberta

PiggyBank, a website that provides Canadians with unbiased information to support informed financial decisions, has recently published the results of their study on price differences for liquor in Ontario vs. Alberta. Overwhelmingly, the results show that Ontarians pay more for the same liquor.

Canada – August 31, 2023 —

While the extremely high prices Ontarians pay for popular liquors frequently comes up in discussion, there is no clear published information detailing those differences. PiggyBank has recently analyzed 100s of popular liquor brands, shortlisting 70 that were available in big box stores across the country. The largest differences appear between Ontario and Alberta as most already know to be the case.

The study, which compiled pricing of over 70 different brands in August of 2023, highlighted a few notable differences, with the largest tending to be found amongst high-ticket liquors. Scotch and Cognac led with the greatest price discrepancies, while Rum and Vodka are not too far behind. Meanwhile, popular champagnes Veuve Clicquot and Moet Rosé are 35% more expensive in Ontario than in Alberta.

Staggering Price Gaps

Here are some of the most expensive liquors in Ontario compared to Alberta:

• 85% more expensive – Balvenie Double Wood 12 Year (750 ml)

ON: $140.15 vs AB: $75.89

• 69% – Hennessy VSOP Cognac (750 ml)

ON: $126.70 vs AB: $74.89

• 67% – Jura 12 Year Old Single Malt (750 ml)

ON: $75.20 vs AB: $44.99

• 65% – Remy Martin XO Cognac (750 ml)

ON: $330.20 vs AB: $199.89

• 63% – Courvoisier VS Cognac (750 ml)

ON: $70.20 vs AB: $42.99

• 62% – Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky (1.75 L)

ON: $124.90 vs AB: $76.89

• 58% – Dalwhinnie 15 Year (750 ml)

ON: $139.45 vs AB: $87.99

• 56% – Hennessy XO Cognac (750 ml)

ON: $374.60 vs AB: $239.99

• 53% – Courvoisier VSOP Cognac (750 ml)

ON: $110.20 vs AB: $71.99

• 50% – Aperol (750 ml)

ON: $32.85 vs AB: $21.89

• 48% – Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750 ml)

ON: $170.20 vs AB: $114.89

• 48% – Absolut Vodka (1.75 L)

ON: $68.85 vs AB: $46.59

• 48% – Knob Creek Single Barrel (750 ml)

ON: $72.30 vs AB: $48.99

• 47% – Bacardi Superior White Rum (750 ml)

ON: $30.95 vs AB: $20.99

• 46% – Smirnoff Vodka (1.75 L)

ON: $66.85 vs AB: $45.79

• 45% – Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (1.75 L)

ON: $72.45 vs AB: $49.89

• 45% – Lagavulin 8 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750 ml)

ON: $110.20 vs AB: $75.89

• 45% – Bacardi Superior White Rum (1.75 L)

ON: $67.95 vs AB: $46.89

• 44% – St Remy VSOP Brandy Seguin & Cie (750 ml)

ON: $33.00 vs AB: $22.89

• 42% – Mount Gay Eclipse Rum (1.75 L)

ON: $85.45 vs AB: $59.99

• 42% – Dom Perignon (750 ml)

ON: $354.95 vs AB: $249.99

• 35% – Veuve Clicquot (750 ml)

ON: $84.85 vs AB: $62.99

• 35% – Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial (750 ml)

ON: $100.30 vs AB: $64.99

The Impact of Costco in Liquor

An interesting example, Costco Canada Liquor in Alberta sells the 1.75 L Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whisky for $439.99 while the LCBO sells the 750 ml bottle, so 43% of the volume for $360.15 or 82% of the price.

The Kirkland Signature line also brings rock-bottom prices on the most common liquors:

• $39.99 – Kirkland Signature Irish Cream (1.75 L)

• $48.79 – Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum (1.75 L)

• $49.99 – Kirkland Signature French Vodka (1.75 L)

• $49.99 – Kirkland Signature Canadian Whisky (1.75 L)

• $51.99 – Kirkland Signature Scotch Whisky (1.75 L)

• $51.99 – Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin (1.75 L)

• $69.99 – Kirkland Signature 12 Year Old Scotch (1.75 L)

• $54.99 – Kirkland Signature Tequila Anejo (1 L)

A few other 1.75 L bottles at Costco Canada Liquor are not available in Ontario:

• $55.99 – Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (1.75 L)

• $61.99 – Bulleit Small Batch Rye Whiskey (1.75 L)

• $71.89 – Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon (1.75 L)

• $94.99 – Woodford Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey (1.75 L)

The study has analyzed hundreds of liquor prices across AB, ON, BC, and QC, with the data clearly supporting the conclusion that Ontarians pay much more for their liquor. 

For more information about PiggyBank or to access the full data set, use the contact details below:

Contact Info:
Name: PiggyBank
Email: Send Email
Organization: PiggyBank
Address: 250 Yonge Street, Suite 2201, Toronto ON, M5B 2L7
Website: https://piggybank.ca/

Release ID: 89106274

If there are any deficiencies, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release, we kindly request that you promptly inform us by contacting error@releasecontact.com. Our dedicated team is committed to addressing any identified issues within 8 hours to guarantee the delivery of accurate and reliable content to our esteemed readers.