All of this is completely true. The high price of alcohol is caused by the fact the state-owned shops have complete monopoly for all alcohol over 4,7% (if I remember the percentages correctly), and though i.e. beer can be found nearly anywhere, the government actually put restrictions on the price there as well, and I'm not only talking about the tax on alcohol, which increases the price a lot. But yes, unless you're really into Finnish beer or vodka... don't.