Cheapism / DALL-E 3
Looking for a high-quality American bourbon that you can enjoy like a true connoisseur without breaking the bank? There are a lot more options than you think, so there's no need to spring for the $699 wooden box set of Irish whiskey behind the glass at your local liquor store just yet. Here are 10 of the best American whiskeys that you can actually afford.
$40 from Garrison Brothers
It’s all in the soil at the Garrison Brothers distillery. Located in Hye, Texas (about an hour outside Austin), the facility is built on top of limestone — which, when water is filtered through it, is what generally sets Kentucky bourbon apart in flavor. Texas is in the game now, too.
Garrison Brothers ranges in affordability, with some bottles in the $60 range and others eclipsing $500. But across the board, there’s no doubt about the quality. I myself have a bottle of their port cask-finished “Guadalupe” that you’d have to pry from my cold, dead fingers.
$55 from LoveScotch
Touted for its exceptional craftsmanship; sweet, fruity flavors; and high-rye mash bill, Wilderness Trail’s straight rye whiskey has received consistently high marks from just about every spirit publication there is. The commitment to quality is clearly there, and you can still snag a bottle for under $60.
The brand also makes an exceptional bourbon. Here’s a bourbon tip for you: Wilderness Trail’s bourbon is “Bottled in Bond,” which is a good thing. That means it meets the three main criteria laid out in the Bottled-in-Bond act of the late 1800s: being distilled in one season at a single distillery, aged for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof.
$55 at BottleBuzz
Part of the Buffalo Trace empire, Weller is something of a collector’s item, as it’s often in limited supply. It’s won plenty of awards for its rich and full-bodied flavor profile, but perhaps the best compliment of all is how frequently it gets compared to Pappy Van Winkle, a bourbon which generally retails for at least $1,000.
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$28 from LoveScotch
Larceny is known for being smooth and approachable, with a healthy amount of wheat in its mash bill. This is one of the most drinkable bourbons on the market, and under $25 a bottle is a great price for Whisky Advocate’s 2020 Bourbon of the Year.
Related: The 8 Best Costco Whiskeys Under $100, According to Shoppers
$75 from GoPuff
You may have seen a bottle of Blanton’s before, maybe on the shelf of the bar at your favorite upscale Southern restaurant; it's the one that looks like one of the Green Goblin's pumpkin bombs. With notes of honey, citrus, and spice, it boasts being the first single barrel bourbon ever produced. You’d expect a bourbon like this to cost somewhere in the $500s, but you can still score one for under $100 in certain places. A perfect splurge.
Related: Best Cheap Whiskeys Under $50 for Smooth, Satisfying Sipping
$40 from LoveScotch
If Blanton’s gives you sticker shock, you can always grab Knob Creek’s nine-year-old bourbon, which consistently wins awards for its rich, oaky character and smooth finish. This is part of the Jim Beam family, which is a good thing for quality assurance.
$32 from My Bev Store
Located in Waco, Texas, Balcones Distilling is known best for its whiskey. There’s a Tex-Mex approach here; they even make bourbon out of blue corn. Balcones Whisky stands out with its distinct flavor profiles, like caramel, vanilla, and spice. And the awards speak for themselves.
$48 from LoveScotch
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Hailing from Lawrenceville, Kentucky, Four Roses Single Barrel is commonly referred to as one of the best bourbons you can buy for the price, and is recognized for its unique blending of ten distinct recipes. Its floral and fruity notes have been a staple in the bourbon world since its inception in 1888. And did we mention you can still nab that single barrel for under $50?
Occasionally available on Drizly for under $100
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Booker’s Bourbon, named after legendary master distiller Booker Noe, is known for its unfiltered and robust taste. The flavor is very intense, with a 120 proof to match, but Booker’s regularly earns high ratings and awards for its boldness. This is another bourbon that sometimes costs a fortune, but I’ve seen it for around $75.
$18 from LoveScotch
Old Grand-Dad Bourbon has been around since 1882 and is known for its high-rye mash bill. While it may not boast as many awards as some other bourbons, its dedicated following and semi-spicy flavor profile have garnered write-ups in plenty of boozey publications. And best of all? You can buy a bottle for less than $20.