Rum prices on STX at K-Mart seemed about the same when I was there Sunday.

If I'm not mistaken Absolute bought Cruzan several years ago, 3 or 4 ?, it was just about the time all of the flavored rum was coming out. At that time only a very few liquier stores sold Cruzan in the Chicago area, mostly the light rum, some had the dark. It was always a unique product to have in the house...."Hey, try this Rum from the VI"....now everybody has Cruzan, and for about 3X's the price as STT 🙁

Cruzan was taken over last summer completely (July1). Rumor on the street is that it is for sale again. Absolute has done nothing for the line...sad. Hopefully whoever buys it will put the same effort into it that the "old cruzan guys" did

We didn't have a car so the best price we saw {Baci's) was 6.99 for a liter of the two year old light. We heard one of the grocery stores had it for 5.99. Purple Papaya I believe was 8.99. Even 5.99 was almost two bucks over last year. We can buy it on sale where I live for 9.99 a liter so it was borderline worth the hassle of trying to get it home.

Having said that, after arriving in Minneapolis about 3:PM and dog tired, we proceeded on our trek 4 hours north of the twin cities. About a third of the way home we stopped for fuel and there was a liquor store next door. We weren't sure if we had any rum left at home since we packed some Cruzan travelers to partake of our first night on island. Wife stopped in the liquor store while I was fueling the car. She came out and said it was 17.99 a liter but was still willing to purchase it because it's the only liquor that's never made her sick. I said hell no let's see if the prices are better closer to home. Anyway we stopped closer to home and purchased for 10.99. I bought two. Life is good.

Sandcrab, are you saying that Cruzan can no longer be found for $2.99 at the K-Mart on STT? wow, I'm bummed. But, even 7.99-9.00 is good. If its much higher, I'll probably stick to Capt. Morgans.

Hi Mountaineer girl!

Well, I can't imagine STT being any cheaper than STX. Remember too the difference between Ltr and 750's, the 750's being 3/4ths of a Ltr. You are correct though, still not bad prices. You just have to decide at what point it's not worth the hassle and weight of packing it in your checked baggage or using it as checked baggage.

Enjoy your trip!

We just got back Tuesday. It looked like the prices per bottle were up $1-$2 per bottle over the last year (checked while on-island in July & October '06), depending on type, flavor, etc.

Still a great deal when considering that it's still 50-75% what Virginia ABC stores charge.

the price at k-mart west on stx is $3.69 a bottle today

A month ago the best price I couldfind on STJ was $5.49 for 750ml (that up at least a dollar from the previous year) and $9.99 for 1.5ml at Pine Peace Market. This year was the first time that I can remember the larger bottle being a better buy-someone finally figured out their cost structure.

Cruzan is now available in Illinois with non-sale prices at just about twice this year's STJ price. The availability and the USVI price increases make for an easy decision to forego schlepping back rum anymore.

Can anyone verify a STT low cost this year?

For a long time many years ago the regular price for a bottle (it may have been a fifth then) of Cruzan (they only had light and dark) was $1/bottle. That was when we brought frozen juice with us because the mixer was so much more expensive than the rum. There was a store in Fredrickstad, STX that sold Cruzan 3 bottles for $2.

What may be even more discouraging than the price increases over the last few years is paying a "brand" tax on Cruzan so high that Cruzan rum rebottled by bourbon companies in Kentucky is shipped back to USVI and sold cheaper than Cruzan as Paradise Rum.

As an aside, how do prices for other rums compare...say for example Puerto Rican brands like Barcardi...are these relatively cheap in STT as well?

Barcardi while cheaper stateside (usually) is more expensive in the vi's. It is the competation afterall and cruzan is made cheaper and locally here.

The regular Cruzan Light and Dark Rums generally retail now here on STT for 5.99/liter with the (incredibly wonderful flavored) rums at 6.49/liter.

"dweller" is getting I think a bit askew where Bacardi prices are concerned because Bacardi here is considered an import and subject to taxation whereas Cruzan is not, Bacardi is currently priced at about $9/liter and taking it back to the mainland could land you in for taxes once you reach the airport.

Prices on STX and STT are pretty comparable but of course you also have to realize that on whichever island you're buying, places like KMart, Plaza Xtra, CostULess, Pricesmart and even some of the smaller stores often offer "best buys."

Given that, I'm posting on the visitor's forum simply to hurl out some basic advice on a particular subject. The info you generally seek is right here at your fingertips, as in go to all the basic information, read the FAQs, do a "search" on key words and read past posts.

MLS, you must be much older than I to remember when Cruzan rum was $1/.bottlle. When I came here 23 years ago it was 1.99.bottle! Times and prices do change but i's still a damned good rum! Cheers.

Flounder,
If you can get it for that price, I suggest you buy a years worth. Do you know the difference between a 750 and a liter? I ask that without malice. I work part time at a liquor store and a lot of folks don't. You may have to send me some at that price. Could be commission involved.

The $1/bottle was a typical sale price on STX in the early 70's. Giant, Pueblo, and Calderone were usually the lowest. While Absolute has raised and standardized Cruzan pricing now, my bet is STX was priced lower than STT back then. I never actually saw the 3 for $2 in Fredrikstad (we stayed on the Christanstad side), but I remember the ad in the paper.

I still would like to know low price now on STT. Clearly it is not $5.99; I bought it for less than that on STJ.

MLS,
Clearly, you're buying old rum at a sari sari store in the rain forest or not looking at your credit card receipt. 5.99 would be a bargain nowadays. Maybe national park prices haven't kept up. Prices are up but life is still good.

$5.99 for the flavored rums is not an unusual price on STX - less for the smaller bottles(sorry, I don't know actual volumes) of regular light and dark.

I will check on grocery day and report back!!

On STT, $5.99/liter for Cruzan light and dark is norm today with the flavoured Cruzans at $7.99/liter.

Sandcrab, ol' bean - I paid $4.49/liter at Sunny Isle K-Mart on 3/16/2007 (I'm looking at the receipt).

Sorry we never connected again after St. Paddy's Day - hope you received the "gift".

Didn't mean to imply that cheaper deals can't be found as many of the island liquor distributors run "specials" from time to time which the stores then pass on in their retail outlets. There's no doubt, though, that the "average" price of Cruzan has increased quite drastically in the last six months to a year but they're still less expensive than the imports (and to my taste much better!)

Hmmm. though. Might have to raise my bar prices on Cruzan if the increases continue. Been the same for about four years now...hmmm. Just kidding.