Best Bourbon Under $50
by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer
Founder, writer
Avoid duds with my recommendations on some of the best bourbons under $50
There’s a lot of bourbon out there, and it sucks to waste your money on bourbon you don’t like. That’s why I’ve put together this list of some (but not all) of the best bourbon under $50. Before I forget, check out my guide on some of the best bourbons under $100 and under $30 to get an idea of what I think is worthwhile in that price range.
The topic itself is quite broad and full of opinions, so these are just my thoughts on the subject. Let me preface with the fact that I haven’t had all or even half of all the bourbons under $50, so this isn’t a definitive or complete list, and it’s not meant to be.
But, I have reviewed many of the offerings from the major distilleries, so I generally have a good idea of the bourbon you may be able to find across the US. I still have more to do to cover more of the spectrum, and I look forward to doing the “work,” to be more comprehensive and knowledgeable.
Here’s the general criteria I used so you understand my general thought process.
- Avoid limited or one time releases
- I reviewed it and liked it. Mid Shelf+ or better
- Focus mostly on widely distributed and available bourbons so this list is actually useful
- Try to avoid barrel picks if possible
I also want to specifically mention that there won’t be much craft bourbon. First, I just haven’t had much of it, and that needs to change. Second, distribution for most of them is limited at best, so recommending them is often not useful for most.
Alright that’s enough setup, so here’s my list of some (but not all) of the best bourbons under $50 in order of price. This is not a ranking in terms of quality or rating.
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
Best Bourbon Under $50
The list
Evan Wiliams Black Label
Best Bourbon under $50 #1
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Rating: Mid Shelf
Price: $12-15
ABV: 43%
I’m starting right out of the gate with an exception to my rule – a “Mid Shelf” bourbon. I wanted to start with this because Evan Williams Black Label is so affordable yet surprisingly good. In the scents and flavors, Black Label offers a nice range of sweet, herbal, oaky, and spicy traits, while avoiding any “weird” or “off” funky vanilla or bitter grains.
It’s a little bit oak and grass-forward, but overall very enjoyable for the price. I mean…come on it’s under $20 for a 750mL. I’ve had similarly cheap bourbons like Benchmark Bourbon and Jim Beam White Label that are flavorful and have some of those “cheap” and “young” traits. I have a bit of a controversial opinion as well, I think that Evan Williams Black Label its a 70%ish alternative to Buffalo Trace.
Evan Wiliams Bottled in Bond
Best Bourbon under $50 #2
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $20
ABV: 50%
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond for me is the best budget bourbon there is. For around $20, you get a fairly dark, sweet, roasty, and well-developed bourbon that’s tasty neat and has enough heft for cocktails. My review goes into the nitty gritty details of how it drinks if you want to know more.
It’s not necessarily amazing and doesn’t push any boundaries, but it has enough richness and nothing “off” about it to make it unbeatable for the price and even exceeds it. I was very pleasantly surprised the first time I drank it, and was even more pleased when I reviewed it.
If you want the best bourbon for the lowest price, let alone one of the best bourbons under $50, I highly recommend Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.
Jim Beam Double Oak
Best Bourbon Under $50 #3
Distillery: Jim Beam
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $25
ABV: 43%
Jim Beam Double Oak caught me by surprise. Double oak bourbon is usually more expensive because using a second virgin oak barrel adds cost, so a $25 option begs the reasonable question – what corners did they cut? The answer is that they cut some corners, especially with the ABV and barrel selection to some degree, but they still left enough character to make it squeak into “Mid shelf+” territory.
I admit that I’ll avoid the regular Jim Beam White Label, but the second barrel aging makes all the difference, amping up the sweetness and fruitiness. It’s not as good as Woodford Reserve Double Oak or Old Forester 1910, but you owe it to yourself to at least try, and you too might also be pleasantly surprised.
Larceny Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #4
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $25-30
ABV: 46%
I think that Larceny bourbon is the best wheated bourbon under $30, besting Maker’s Mark, Weller Special Reserve, and Rebel 100 Proof. That discovery really shocked me after I reviewed Larceny bourbon because I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad that I did.
Yes it has the distinctive (and not for everyone) Heaven Hill dry nuttiness, but there’s plenty of caramel nougat and vanilla, a lot of cinnamon, more delicate peach and citrus, and just a little baked bread and cocoa powder to be richer and complex than other wheated bourbons under $30. It’s truly a go-to wheated bourbon in general.
Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #5
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $28-30
ABV: 47%
This is one of my favorite bourbons under $30. With some air, I’ve enjoyed that denser caramel, vanilla, dark fruit, oak spice, and hints of herbal licorice. There’s actually some nice maturity, viscosity, and variety that competes well with more expensive bourbons.
It outperforms the more expensive Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond (really disappointing by the way), and I recommend this over Evan Williams Single Barrel every time.
Although it’s very different from Buffalo Trace, I’d also take Elijah Craig over Buffalo Trace. So if you’re looking to spend around $30, this is the bourbon to try first. Single barrel picks are also incredible value and can be even better (depending on the pick of course), so they’re worth getting for under $50.
I recognize that the first 4 bourbons in this list come from Heaven Hill. That’s intentional because they make a lot of great, affordable, and actually buyable whiskey in general. I’m a huge fan.
Benchmark Full Proof Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #6
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $25
ABV: 62.5%
Full proof/ high abv bourbon from Buffalo Trace makes everyone go crazy with lines, markups, and hoarding. Then, Buffalo Trace threw a curveball and released Benchmark Full Proof for around $25 in some regions across the US, where it seems to be readily available. The trade off is that it’s probably around 4-5 years old and sporting the budget Benchmark brand name.
For the price though, you’re not sacrificing anything. Turns out that it’s quite good. It still has quite the oaky and spicy kick, and some youthful graininess, but “chewing” really opens up the sweetness that adequately balances out the youth. It’s a little rough around the edges and the richness isn’t all the way there, but still very tasty overall. This is likely a top 3 bourbon under $30. If you see it, buy it.
Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #7
Distillery: Jim Beam
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $30-35
ABV: 54%
Jim Beam really stepped up their game with this more sweet, herbal, and fruity release that still offers plenty of mature oak and spice. Don’t let your feelings about Jim Beam White affect your opinion of this one, it’s a balanced and pleasing bourbon that completely caught me off guard with its nice richness and decent complexity.
It admittedly sits in a weird place next to the 9 year old and 100 proof Knob Creek Small Batch at around the same price, but while this more luxurious and grown-up Jim Beam bourbon flies under the radar, it shouldn’t be ignored. The ABV also should hold up nicely in cocktails.
I think it makes a decent Blanton’s alternative too.
I’ve unfortunately lost some Glencairn’s while in transit, and that made me very sad. So, I wised up and bought this Glencairn Travel Case that comes also comes with 2 glasses so I don’t need to worry so much about them breaking. I think it’s great, and I think you’ll love it too.
Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.
Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.
Cooper's Craft Barrel Reserve
Best Bourbon under $50 #8
Distillery: Brown Forman
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $30-35
ABV: 50%
Out of all the bourbons on this list (except Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel because it’s also owned by Brown Forman), Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve provides one of the more unique bourbon experiences, and in a good way. It’s a dark, vanilla & banana-forward, and viscous (think pillow-y and marshmallow-y) experience, representative of the Brown Forman’s distinctive signature trait(s). That specific note isn’t for everyone, so wanted to let you know.
Outside of that, this is a well balanced sweet, oaky, banana-y, spicy, earthy, and fruity-enough bourbon that hits many of the right notes. With the heftier 100 proof, the scents and flavors have nice roundness, and the unpleasant vodka taste in Old Forester 86 Proof is completely gone. Sure it could be a bit more rich and fruity, but this is still worthy of being one of the best bourbons under 50.
Maker's Mark 46
Best Bourbon under $50 #9
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $30-40
ABV: 47%
I think that Maker’s 46 is the best bourbon they make (you have to love the name) under $50, even moreso than the cask strength version. The base bourbon greatly benefits from the stave finish, which infuses even more sweetness, fruitiness, and a pleasant fragrant oakiness and spice. The slightly bumped up 47% ABV also adds a bit more richness and body to the entire experience. This truly is one of the best bourbons under $50, and thankfully you’ll still have $10ish leftover.
Still Austin "The Musician" Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #10
Distillery: Still Austin (Texas)
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $40-45
ABV: Varies, but usually around 49-50%
The Musician, even at 2 years old, brings a surprising amount of maturity and richness that I really enjoy. There’s dark toasted caramel, vanilla, mocha, roasted oak, earthy caraway seed, and more, that’s wise beyond its years. It never crossed my mind that it smelled or tasted young.
I constantly enjoyed and was intrigued by the unique mocha scent and flavor (and other things) that don’t have any close comparison. Ok fine, the heat in the scents can get a bit rowdy, but the flavors don’t have the same issue. I’m a big fan, and a worthwhile purchase for $40-45. That said, I personally would pick Still Austin Cask Strength every time.
Maker's Mark Cask Strength
Best Bourbon under $50 #11
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Rating: Top Shelf (older releases at least)
Price: $40-50
ABV: Usually mid 50%
People go crazy for Weller, but Maker’s Mark Cask Strength brings just as much fragrance and flavor from the caramel sweetness, oak spice (especially cinnamon), nuttiness, and alcohol kick that I’d go as far to say that it’s better, easier to find, and more affordable than Weller Antique 107. How do I know? I compared them and Maker’s Mark won.
I wouldn’t say that it’s under the radar, just underappreciated. If you just want a fantastic wheated bourbon without the chase and fuss, get Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and be happy with the purchase and subsequent drink. This may just be the single best wheated bourbon under $50.
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #12
Distillery: Four Roses
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $40-50
ABV: 50%
Four Roses wasn’t kidding that this OESV bourbon has delicate herbal rye and fruit. This bourbon has moderately dense and rich honey, apple, and vanilla sweetness, with the oak, cinnamon, and clove spices.
It’s not a big and bold bourbon like the Single Barrel Cask Strength versions, but the 100 proof single barrel still brings plenty of richness and character across the board. There’s some mint and berries too, overall making it a fairly complex and interesting bourbon that offers a lot for $40-45.
This is another bourbon that I think makes a decent (and mostly readily available) Blanton’s substitute.
EH Taylor Small Batch
Best Bourbon under $50 #13
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Rating: Top Shelf
Price: $40-50 (MSRP), but often tough to find and marked up
ABV: 50%
Hold up, yes I know this is hard to find now, but if I’m going to include one allocated / difficult to find Buffalo Trace bourbon on a list of best bourbons under $50, this has to be it. Yes I picked this over Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, which had the potential to be on this list. I’d even say that this is better than Blanton’s, Elmer T Lee, and Rock Hill Farms.
It’s an epic bummer that EH Taylor Small Batch is so tough to get because it’s actually an excellent bourbon that is unfortunately mired in the chase and hype.
The dark sugar, fruity, roasty, and floral notes make it sort of like a cinnamon bun with raisins, a very different personality than Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, two other very popular mashbill #1 bourbons. Surprisingly, EH Taylor’s floral notes actually expanded over time, making it even more expressive, complex, and captivating.
EH Taylor Single Barrel, even more wildly desirable and marked-up, is going to be all over the place because it’s single barrel, but this batched version should be more consistent… and consistently excellent.
The bottle I reviewed outdid Eagle Rare and EH Taylor Single Barrel, making it one of the better bourbons that Buffalo Trace makes. If it weren’t so hard to get and often marked up, I might say that this was just as good value as Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon.
If you can get it for around the $40 MSRP, you should get it.
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey
Best Bourbon under $50 #14
Distillery: Jack Daniel’s
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $40-50
ABV: 47%
If you’re going to drink Jack, this is the one I recommend you start with before pummeling your senses with the barrel proof. Why do I say that? Because I’ve drank through nearly all of the core (not limited) Jack Daniel’s range, and this is one of the better ones. I’ll have to update this, but Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash is very good too and one I recommend.
And if you don’t think that Jack Daniel’s is bourbon, I lay out the various factors as to why it is.
The single barrel Tennessee whiskey is the richer and more complex version of Gentleman Jack, Old No.7, and Sinatra Select with denser caramel, vanilla, and oak spices. It also has some fruit too for added depth that the others don’t have.
Michter's Small Batch Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #15
Distillery: Michter’s (or whoever they source from)
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $40-50
ABV: 45.7%
I wasn’t expecting much out of Michter’s under-proofed bourbon, but I admit that I was wrong. While the ABV looks low, it actually carries decent heft with really tasty caramel, vanilla, chocolate fudge, roasted oak, cinnamon, mocha, dried apple and orange, licorice, and nutmeg that show off some nice richness and maturity. It’s a unique set of traits that you’d be hard pressed to find in more expensive bourbons.
This is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a dark, sweet, and oaky bourbon that provides a great gateway into Michter’s lineup, but without the wild $150+ price tag for the 10 year old bourbon. When it comes to Michter’s, I’ve become a Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon believer and I think you’ll really enjoy it too.
Michter's American Whiskey
Best Bourbon under $50 #16
Distillery: Michter’s (or whoever they source from)
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $40-50
ABV: 41.7%
I’m breaking my own rules by including Michter’s American Whiskey, which is fact not bourbon. But honestly though, it smells and tastes so much like a mature 12+ year old bourbon that I had to include it. It is surprisingly loaded with dark, sweet, chocolate-y, and tobacco-y scents and flavors that it feels like a Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Jr. It sounds crazy, but that’s where my mind went after reviewing it.
The painfully low ABV is the only thing holding this back from being “Top Shelf”. It doesn’t have enough body and impact to get over the hump, but even as-is it’s still an interesting whiskey to drink. It may not be bourbon, but I’m pretty sure that you could fool just about anyone into think that it was.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #17
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Rating: Top Shelf
Price: $45-55 (average price teeters around $50)
ABV: 58.4%
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon is flat out one of the best bourbons under $50 (usually, but prices can fluctuate) that you can find almost everywhere (although that may change).
It’s quintessential higher-abv bourbon with rich caramel, vanilla, oak, and spices with some apple, licorice, and orange. It’s dense, spicy, and has a solid alcohol kick too, so be prepared. It can be a lot to handle, but it’s well worth it.
It may not be the most unique bourbon out there, but you can’t go wrong with the combination of price, availability, and excellent quality.
The international-only non chill filtered release is even better, but that doesn’t count for this list.
New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #18
Distillery: New Riff
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $45-55
ABV: Varies, usually in the 50-59% range
I had quite an interesting and sort of out there single barrel that was very earthy and vegetal, but still densely rich, dark, sweet, and oaky. It drank older and bolder than 4 years, so the future is very bright for the now well-known craft distillery. Give or take $50 isn’t so bad either.
This is an important point – I think these single barrels may be more variable than the ones from the mega distilleries, so every barrel you find might bring a totally different experience.
I know that I have to try more single barrels to understand the full potential (I’m searching for a fruit-forward one), but I’ve enjoyed it so far and it’s compelling for around $50.
Bardstown Bourbon CO. Origin Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon
Best Bourbon under $50 #19
Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Rating: Mid Shelf+
Price: $50
ABV: 50%
Bardstown Bourbon Company did an amazing job with all 3 their completely home-distilled and aged whiskeys. Of the two bourbons, the Origin Rye’d Bourbon and Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon (this one), the wheated bourbon, stands out to me as the most developed, interesting, and promising.
Good wheated bourbon is hard to find (especially at an acceptable price), but this one brings all the good of wheated bourbon (orange and extra oak spice among other things), but avoids the pitfalls of what makes Maker’s Mark not as compelling (overdone dry grassiness and nuttiness). This is a bold statement, but I think what Bardstown Bourbon Co. has here is better than most of what Maker’s Mark has on shelves. If you can find this for $50, get it.
While you’re at it, learn more about some of the best bourbons under $100
So much hard work goes into each and every review, comparison, guide, and article, so please consider supporting The Whiskey Shelf in its continued journey of whiskey exploration and sharing.
Best Bourbon Under $50
Still a work in progress
I recognize that I haven’t reviewed everything (working on it). So, here’s a list of bourbons (not remotely comprehensive) that I haven’t reviewed yet so they haven’t been considered for this list.
- Old Forester 100 proof
- Bowman Small Batch
- 1792 Single Barrel
- 1792 Bottled in Bond
- More craft bourbon (e.g., Starlight Huber, Wilderness Trail non-picks)
- Ancient Ancient Age
- Makers 101
In Conclusion
You have a lot of options with some of the best bourbons under $50. And lucky for you, you should be able to find many of them without too much trouble (minus EH Taylor…sorry). Try some of the bourbons I’ve mentioned if you haven’t already, try some more, decide what you like, and go from there.
In the meantime, check out my guide on some of the best bourbons under $100 as well.
Meet the Author: Alex
I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.
There are no sponsors, no media companies, and no nonsense. Support The Whiskey Shelf by Buying Me A Shot.
Shattered glass really sucks, so if you’re on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
BrüMate NOS’R, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass – 7oz (Matte Black)
Other Reviews
Comments are closed.
5 Comments