Dry and a bit savory with pronounced spicy and herbal notes, including green peppercorn and cloves, this was the unanimous favorite. Its bottled at 90 proof, but if youre looking for something stronger, there's a barrel-proof version offered at the distillery as well. The whiskey spends eight years aging for its small batched (50 barrels per batch) and proofed down for bottling. Click on the prices if you want to give any of these a shot for yourself. Bulleit Bourbon. You can buy bourbon at virtually any price range these days, including a few budget options that rival the top-shelf stuff. Region: Kentucky | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Honey, Caramel, Stone fruit. Not a bottle you want to dilute with sugars, ice, and bitters. The palate amps up the vanilla to sheet cake territory with a cherry compote layer in between sheets as dark chocolate powder and a bit more of that cedar mingle on the tongue. On the budget end, there are some excellent bottles available for half the price you'd expect to pay for a scotch or a Japanese whisky of similar quality (see all the entries above! Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask delivers a full-bodied unique pour thats unlike most bourbons out there. The finish brings about that spice again with a little more of a peppery edge this time as the fade slowly falls off, leaving you with a creamy vanilla tobacco feeling. The rich palate of buttery caramel, sweet vanilla and ripe fruits can compete with any bourbon made in Kentucky. Unlike, say, single malt whiskeys, rum or agave spirits, bourbon has a much narrower profile for what it can actually taste like. Still, there are so many dependable and accessible offeringshere are the best bourbons under $50 to try today. And while there are a number of quality high-proof bourbons offered for under $50 (e.g. Reviewers at the online whiskey community Connosr comment on the pleasantness of the spirit, especially considering its high alcohol content, and it is an unexpected hit for many drinkers. The 10 Best Sipping Bourbons For Under $50, Ranked - UPROXX The finish sweetens with a line of cotton candy leading back to the dark chocolate and now dried blackberries with a final note of black soil. SNX DLX: This Weeks Best Sneaker Drops, Including The AJ 12 Brilliant Orange, AJ 7 Chambray And More! $49 | Drizzly.com. This bourbon is spiced and warm thanks to the extra liquor but fills out with subtle notes of oak, vanilla, and orange peel. The 16 Best Whiskeys to Drink in 2023 - Liquor.com Heaven's Door is a Tennessee-based bourbon created by none other than music legend Bob Dylan, with its namesake inspired by his song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," per Whiskey Rocks. The palate goes deeper with a sense of oatmeal raisin cookies with plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg next to a walnut bar covered in chocolate next to a hint of dark rum-soaked cherries. The bourbon then goes into oak for eight long years before its proofed and bottled. The 10 Best American Whiskeys Under $50 to Drink in 2023 - Liquor.com Weller Special Reserve at Drizly Jump to Review Best for Cocktails: Wyoming Whiskey at ReserveBar Jump to Review Despite the higher proof, it drinks lean though a tad hot, and might benefit from a drop or two of water. The palate draws those flavors out as the berries dry out, the marzipan becomes nuttier and less sweet, and the woodiness becomes more like a soft and almost like wet cedar. I dig sipping on this as a standalone neat pour, but it also works wonders in a simple whiskey cocktail. Straight, No Chaser: The Best Bourbons for Sipping - Wine Enthusiast Wild Turkey 101 Bourbons ability to not deviate from the tried and true has allowed it to remain a consistent staple on the shelves of whiskey drinkers for years and years. Although it may not challenge a seasoned bourbon drinkers developed palate, theyll still appreciate its overall quality and great value. This bottling is a 70 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and nine percent malted barley bourbon that spends one year in new white oak. "For me, Evan Williams Single Barrel is about as good a deal as there is. Plus, a bottle won't break the bank, and it will likely be nice to have on hand for cocktails if drinking whiskey straight-up isn't your thing. Whether it's in an old fashioned or served straight-up, the dark liquor has a reputation for helping you grow a few more hairs on your chest. Whether you pick up a bottle or order it on the rocks next time you're at the bar, it's an easy bourbon to try that will likely become a regular in your rotation. It's smooth and sweet, with an extended finish that leaves lingering flavors of vanilla, dried fruits, and various spices. This is easy yet deep, soft yet bold, engaging yet not overindulgent. The price is a bit on the higher end considering it's only aged for four years but its youngness is part of its appeal. Despite the higher proof, it drinks lean though a tad hot, and might benefit from a drop or two of water. Early Times channels just that. "Pikesville is the same mash bill as [the cheaper and younger] Rittenhouse Rye," he says, "but it's six years old and comes in at 110 proof. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon at Drizly, Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon at Drizly, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey at Drizly, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at Drizly, Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon at Drizly, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Best Bourbons Under $50 | Breaking Bourbon Articles | Barrel Club | BCR | Release Calendar Reviews By: Name | Rating | Price | Date | Advertisement Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond Old Grand-Dad Bonded might not have the snazziest packaging design, but at $25, this quality, storied bourbon should have a place on every bourbon drinker's shelf. The brand was even able to sell whiskey during Prohibition, as it was used for medicinal purposes at the time. 16 Best Bourbon Bottles for Your Home Bar in 2021, For Any Budget - GQ This is the good stuff that you can both get and wont break the bank. An omnipresent fixture on many bars, Knob Creek 9 Year is probably the most versatile and affordable bourbon on the market. The 12 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Under $50 To Give For Christmas - UPROXX The sip delivers a very mild peppery spice that never overpowers while caramel corn, vanilla, and slightly musty oak mingle with cherry tobacco with an edge of wintry spice. One of the few widespread single-barrel releases still found at a decent priceand always made with recipe OBSV, denoting a particular mash bill and yeast strainthis bourbon was exceptionally balanced at the proof. The tastes wash over your senses as malty, fruity, and woody at the same time, yet they keep their balance (via Chattanooga Whiskey). It's rich with a long finish, as pointed out by a review on Whiskey Consensus. The finish attaches the caramel to the chocolate and cherry as the leather and cedar dry things out and leaves you with a hint of white pepper and old tobacco leaf. The Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Under $50, A Guide to the Best Sipping Rums Under $50, Americas Oldest Rye Whiskey Is Back from Extinction. New Riff's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comes in at about $40 a bottle, via Binny's Beverage Depot. Four Roses Single Barrel is aged between seven and nine years, giving it a heavy oak and tobacco flavor. Its this simplistic and back to basics of the brand that affords it a spot in whiskey drinkers' hearts both young and old. Wild Turkey 101 is famous, but the Rare Breed is where it's at. These Are the Best Bourbons Under $50 | GQ 9 of the Best Bourbons Under $30 | VinePair 17 of the Best Cheap Bourbons Under $50 (2023) | VinePair The product of that partnership was launched in 2018. The nose is sweet and citrusy with oak notes. It's not an insanely complex bourbon, but it is extremely smooth, refined, and worth tasting if bonded bourbon is a new concept to you. Best Bourbons Under $50 | Breaking Bourbon This is all about the figgy pudding, mincemeat pies, and strawberry-rhubarb pie on the nose with a distinct Blackberry Hostess pie taking over on the backend. Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask showcases just how well Chattanooga Whiskey is distilling, and at only two years old, the proof is already in the bottleno pun intended. The Best Bourbons To Drink Straight Under $50 - UPROXX If you ask the folks at Frey Ranch, Lake Tahoe can compete just as well as its Midwest counterparts. What's the Best Sipping Bourbon? Smoothest Bourbons in 2021 - Next Luxury Legent bourbon whiskey is partially finished in red wine and sherry casks, leading to a bold bourbon with fruity flavors. Essentially, it's a proof of authenticity that dates back decades. Taken as a whole, the bourbon comes together well in the end. What makes Green River Bourbon work is that its an incredibly easy sipping bourbon thanks to an agreeable flavor profile. For someone new to bourbon, its extremely accessible with its sweet nose and palate, and a finish that introduces a perfect mix of oak and spice. Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a must-try for those who prefer drinks on the savory side. The 11 Best Bourbons under $50 - Of Whiskey and Words Best Bourbon for Sipping Neat Widow Jane 10-year Bourbon. As Bourbon Banter points out, New Riff's bourbon is acidic and sharp, a stark contrast to the sweetness of most popular brands. Although the term small batch isn't legally defined in the bourbon market, it generally means it's smaller than the regular batch of barrels that go into bottling. Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 15. Bourbon is the key actor in Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, of course, where they enjoy the help of a supporting cast of sugar, vermouth, fruits and so on. New Riff is far from sweet, and can even be described as spicy thanks to notes of clove, cinnamon, and other baking spices. But Kentucky is the spiritual home of bourbon, and a great deal of it is produced in the stateincluding the iconic Woodford Reserve. However, those flavors are balanced well rather than trying to compete with one another. Maybe its the name, the packaging design, or the fact that its low price and general availability make it somehow seem less exciting. The lowest-proof and lowest-priced bourbon in Old Forester's impressive lineup, this bottle is a great all-rounder that delivers flavor and depth. The Whiskey: This top-shelf bourbon has one of the more sophisticated distilling processes on the market, using corn, rye and five yeast strains to produce its rich, unique flavor making it one of the best bourbons under $50. Word to the wise The Whiskey Jug describes the flavor of Jim Beam Bonded as reminiscing candy corn, or waxy corn and caramel. 1792 Single Barrel might not have some of the novel flavor profiles of some of the other options on this list, but it's an astonishingly good bourbon for its price. Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon isnt quite what the name implies it to be. Port casks and bourbon just work together. One reviewer on The Bourbon Culture provided a perfect explanation of why this bottle is a must-buy next time you're at the grocery store. Coming in at just $30, you can't go wrong with their signature. "An orange peel garnish plays really nicely . Like New Riff is heavy on the rye, Larceny is heavy on the wheat, which gives off a smell and flavor of fresh-baked bread every time you take a sip. Lets dive in! Woodford Reserve is a really high quality sipping bourbon and an easy entry point for the whiskey newcomer. This is what people are looking for when they drink bourbon, said one taster. It's fruity without losing the necessary oakiness, as well as containing notes of sweet baked goods. One sip of this bourbon is full of various notes like oak, vanilla, and pepper that all mix together seamlessly. Spirits The Best Bourbon Under $50 October 20, 2022 Story: Punch Staff photo: Lizzie Munro Amid the boom of high-end bourbon, there are still plenty of affordable options worth seeking out. Michters US*1 Bourbon is full of flavors that soar well beyond its under-$50 price point. Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask is definitely one to pick up. Double Oaked is one of these pours that hit the spot because its familiar. Chattanooga Whiskey 111 is a labor of love. In this case, Buffalo Trace Bourbon is a solid pour that will appeal to any level of whiskey drinker. Here are the five bottles that topped our recent blind tasting. Try the Willett Pot Still Reserve, which makes up for being at the top of our $50 budget range by coming in a really slick looking bottle. Their Kentucky straight bourbon is full of notes that define the iconic American whiskey category: slight tannins and vanilla sweetness from the oak, bright cereal notes from the grains, and a bit of spice on the finish. This whiskey is from Jacks bonded warehouse. Jump to Review Best for Cocktails: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey at Drizly Jump to Review Best Value: Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon at Drizly Jump to Review Best Kentucky: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at Drizly Jump to Review Best Outside of Kentucky: Woodinville Bourbon at Drizly Jump to Review Best Wheated: Some of them Id likely poke my nose into in a Glencairn and take my time with. This has serious depth without overpowering your senses with too much proof. Apple fritters and maple bars lead the way on the palate next to brown sugar and vanilla cream. You must be 21 or over to enter this website. The 12 Best Bourbons Under $50 to Drink in 2023 - Liquor.com Related: The 9 Best Whiskeys for Whiskey Sours, Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Honey, Butterscotch, Winter spice. Russell's Reserve 10 . This is an interesting one hints of marzipan and rose water hit the nose next to dark berries and honey-toffee with just a bit of dry firewood. Jim Beam's Bonded is heavy on the oak in both its aroma and flavor. Sure, there are some rare bottles out there going for triple their asking price on the secondary market, and some of these are exceptional. Larceny's claim to fame is that it's a wheated bourbon that is shockingly smooth. However, we all know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, or in this case, its price tag. For this tasting, Punchs editorial staff was joined by Aaron Goldfarb, a frequent Punch contributor on the topic of whiskey. If they also happened to be fans of the iconic singer-songwriter, there's double the reason to try it out. 1792 Single Barrelis an award-winning bottle that's exactly what quintessential Kentucky bourbon should be.