I found a graphic in the Wall Street Journal a couple of months back that listed the highest and lowest state excise-tax rates per gallon. As someone that tries to find cheap booze prices, I found this information very helpful (and depressing, since I live in Michigan).

Highest:
Washington - $26.70
Oregon - $23.03
Virginia - $20.91
Alabama - $18.61
Michigan - $13.24

Lowest:
New Hampshire - $0
Vermont - $.32
Wyoming - $.83
Montana - $2.00
Colorado - $2.28

So, do the states with the lowest taxes listed above actually have the lowest liquor prices? (This may be a dumb question, but I'm not sure what else goes into pricing liquor other than state excise-tax, so I'm asking anyway.)

Article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000...

That is good info to know, thanks. I think at the Violet Hour, where I had that drink, they do use dropper bottles, so it was probably closer to two dashes than four.

Hey JMF, do you know how to translate a Violet Hour "drop" into a regular (if there is such a thing) dash from a bitters bottle?

What type of Ginger Ale are you using for your GIn Buck?

Wow, thanks so much for the recipe!

I haven't moved my bitters into dropper bottles, so I need to figure out how many dashes equals 21 drops of Peychaud’s Bitters! Does anyone have any advice?

Yes, I agree that Punt e Mes is fantastic, particularly in a Negroni. I haven't tried Bonal yet. Thanks for the suggestion!

"The Public Purse" cocktail from the Violet Hour uses Averell Damson Plum Gin. It was a fantastic cocktail (wish I knew the exact ingredients, but from their website: The Public Purse, Averell Damson Plum Gin, Lime, Rothman & Winter Creme de Violette, Egg White, Peychaud's Bitters)

Here in metro Detroit a 1.75 liter of Maker's sets me back $56.98. That's it! I'm moving!

I've got my first bottle of Carpano Antica Formula, and before I open that big sucker I want to figure out the best way to make it last. (Of course I will store it in the fridge.)

There are three options that I am aware - Vacuum Seal, Nitrogen spray or Decanting.

Is there any study that shows which is best? (Where are the scientists when you need them?)

Over in the forum below, there was no consensus regarding the best way.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/685888

I've tried the vacuum seal approach, and frankly it has been a bust. (But, I don't have a top of the line seal.) If you use a vacuum seal and have had success, what brand did you use?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm curious to learn more about your mail order experience. Do you generally find it cost effective to order online and pay shipping rather than buy at your local store, or are there other benefits to ordering online?

Living in the Midwest, my friend and I have been having a discussion about the cheapest all around State to buy liquor. And believe me, we have done considerable research on the topic.

Considering OH, KY, MI, WI and IL, it seems like WI has the cheapest prices. Discount Liquor is a good example of all around good prices. See their ad here:
http://discountliquorinc.com/wp-conte...

KY has cheap prices, but Ohio and MIchigan do not.

Some stores, like the Party Source across the Cincinnati border in KY, gives a 5% discount for a mix and match cases, which pretty much pays for the 6% sales tax.

Binny's in Chicago is cheap too on some things, except that you have to add in 10% sales tax if you purchase in the city.

California has never seemed cheap when I have looked at prices. I saw Green Chartreuse for $68 in SF, which you can get in KY for $55.

I'm interested in other people's thoughts / findings. Thanks,

There was a space for a tip on the receipt. Sorry if I wasn't clear. If people usually tip well there at the 20% or higher level, I wonder why they see a need to have a "service charge" at all? I've never seen that in any other classic cocktail bar. Hell, if PDT doesn't do that, then I don't think CPH should.

I had a great time at Citizen's Public House and Citizen''s R&D. The only negative was the 20% "service charge" + the request for an additional tip at R&D. The "service charge" was clearly stated on the menu, so that wasn't a surprise, but the fact that the receipt also asked for a tip amount on top of the service charge did not sit well with me. If they need more money, then charge more for the drinks. Service charge at 20% + a tip at, what, 20% makes for a 40% uplift. Not cool in my book, even for a place that serves great drinks. I also tried Mabel's, but walked out after basically every head in the bar turned as I walked in the place. Believe me, I'm nothing to look at. It weirded me out!

I'm surprised not to hear more about People's Last Stand. It seemed the most "cocktail" of all the places I've looked, based on their web presence.

Any suggestions for a place that makes good classic cocktails with natural / fresh ingredients and a wide selection of ingredients? The place would make a cocktail like the Last Word, have house made bitters and maybe a barrel-aged cocktail or two. The People's Last Stand looks to be the best from what I can find with web surfing, but looking for other thoughts / ideas. Thanks

Thanks - very helpful!

I'm soon going to Phoenix-area and wondered if there were any updates to the bars listed here. I'm looking for the best classic cocktails. It seems like CPT might be the best, but all info welcome!

Because individual States apply various state and local taxes, I'm wondering if anyone has a source that compares the 50 States and indicates what State(s) have the overall lowest costs for spirits.

For example, I have noticed that Wisconsin has very low prices, while Michigan has high taxes. (A bottle of Green Chartreuse is $43 in Wisconsin and $64 in Michigan! Holy sticker shock!)

What are the States with the lowest spirits prices? Anyone seen any good comparison web sites?

Thanks,