Gas

The Cape Cod Times ran a story on March 10 saying that gas prices in the state ranged from a low of $1.71 per gallon to a high of $2.09. Their source was wire reports. Perhaps they should gaze across the sea instead, or tell us that we really have seceded at last since down-Island prices are averaging $2.65.

Thanks to a reader request, we are investigating a different kind of fuel this week. If you’re looking for Irish whiskey, stout or lager, there are many ways to be Irish in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

On March 10 we shopped for Irish fuel:

For variety and price, Jim’s has a slight edge over Your Market but because the whiskeys come in different varieties and not all stores carry a great enough number of them, a direct cost comparison isn’t accurate. A careful shopper will look at individual items and price them at all the stores. For instance, Al’s prices on the higher-end varieties of Irish whiskey are better than others, but Our Market’s are competitive on the lower end. Here’s a guide to the available selections.

Edgartown

Al’s: Jameson and Bushmills Irish whiskey, Guinness stout, George Killian’s Irish Red lager.

Your Market: Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, Powers, and Michael Collins Irish whiskey, Guinness stout, George Killian’s Irish Red lager, and Smithwick’s ale.

Oak Bluffs

Jim’s * : Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, Powers, and Michael Collins Irish whiskey, Guinness, Beamish, and Murphy’s stout, Harp and George Killian’s Irish Red lager.

Our Market: Jameson and Bushmills Irish whiskey, Guinness stout and Harp lager.

* Jim’s has taken this column to heart and is offering a $1 discount off a gas fill-up with a current store receipt from their market.

Grocery Basket

Of course we shopped for corned beef but couldn’t find comparable products; Cronig’s and Stop & Shop carry Boar’s Head and Reliable has Shur Fine. So we looked for green cuisine and other appropriately Irish items.

On March 10 we shopped for:

Twinings tea – Irish Breakfast preferred (20-bag box)

Cabbage

Limes

Green grapes

Cucumber

Celery hearts

Green peppers

Irish Spring soap (3-4 oz. bars)

Palmolive dish liquid (25 oz.)

Granny Smith apples

Jell-O pistachio pudding & pie filling (3.4 oz.)

Pam’s Provisions pesto (7 oz.)

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream – Dublin Mudslide preferred.

The total cost* before tax for each order was:

$32.01 at Reliable,

$34.91 at Stop & Shop,

$36.49 at Cronig’s without Our Island Club card, or

$32.84 at Cronig’s with the card.

*Stop & Shop had Palmolive on sale with their free frequent shopper card; sales run from Friday to Thursday. Cronig’s gives a 10 per cent discount to Our Island Club cardholders, which charges an annual fee. Reliable had corned beef and cabbage on sale.

These prices represent a snapshot in time only; on any date prices may vary.