The Best Bourbon Under $50: The Bottles We Actually Pour, Sorted by How You Drink
You do not need to spend more than $50 to drink great bourbon. Some of the best whiskey made in Kentucky sits on the middle shelf, and most of it is easier to find than the bottles people line up for. We sorted our favorites the way we do at the counter: by how you plan to drink them. Every bottle below usually sells for under $50 and ships nationwide.
In This Guide
- Our Picks at a Glance
- The Best Bourbon Under $50, Compared
- Best Bourbon Under $50 to Sip
- Best Bourbon Under $50 for an Old Fashioned
- Best High-Proof Bourbon Under $50
- Best Wheated Bourbon Under $50
- Best Bourbon Gift Under $50
- How to Read a Bourbon Label
- How to Drink Bourbon
- Frequently Asked Questions
Our Picks at a Glance
- Best bourbon under $50 overall: Buffalo Trace. Balanced, easy to find and good at everything.
- Best bourbon under $50 to sip: Four Roses Single Barrel. 100 proof, spicy, fruity and long.
- Best bourbon for an Old Fashioned under $50: Old Forester 100 Proof. Enough proof and spice to stand up to sugar and bitters.
- Best high-proof bourbon under $50: Old Grand-Dad 114. 114 proof of pepper, orange and caramel for under $30.
- Best wheated bourbon under $50: Weller Special Reserve. Soft, sweet and honeyed.
- Best bourbon gift under $50: Woodford Reserve. A bottle everyone recognizes, and a whiskey that earns it.
- Best bourbon for beginners: Maker's Mark. Gentle, sweet and never harsh.
- Best bourbon under $30: Elijah Craig Small Batch and Wild Turkey 101. Two bottles that drink well above their price.
The Best Bourbon Under $50, Compared
Proof is the producer's published bottling strength. Price tiers reflect our current shelf price; the product page always has the exact number. For why this price range is where bourbon delivers the most, read Why $50 Is the Sweet Spot for Bourbon.
| Bottle | Style | Proof | Flavor | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Trace | Rye recipe, Frankfort KY | 90 | Caramel, vanilla, light spice | Under $30 | Everything |
| Four Roses Single Barrel | High rye, single barrel | 100 | Ripe cherry, pepper, oak | $40 to $50 | Sipping |
| Elijah Craig Small Batch | Rye recipe, Heaven Hill KY | 94 | Toffee, baking spice, oak | Under $30 | Sipping, value |
| Old Forester 100 Proof | Rye recipe, Louisville | 100 | Banana bread, cinnamon, char | Under $30 | Old Fashioned |
| Wild Turkey 101 | Rye recipe, Lawrenceburg KY | 101 | Orange peel, pepper, vanilla | Under $30 | Old Fashioned, value |
| Knob Creek 9 Year | Rye recipe, aged 9 years | 100 | Roasted nuts, caramel, oak | $30 to $40 | Manhattan, sipping |
| 1792 Full Proof | High rye, barrel entry proof | 125 | Dark caramel, cherry, spice | $40 to $50 | High proof |
| Old Grand-Dad 114 | High rye | 114 | Peppery rye, orange, caramel | Under $30 | High proof value |
| Weller Special Reserve | Wheated | 90 | Honey, butterscotch, soft wheat | $40 to $50 | Wheated, easy sipping |
| Larceny Small Batch | Wheated, Heaven Hill KY | 92 | Brown sugar, bread, vanilla | Under $30 | Wheated value |
| Maker's Mark | Wheated, Loretto KY | 90 | Vanilla, caramel, soft fruit | Under $30 | Beginners |
| Woodford Reserve | Rye recipe, Versailles KY | 90.4 | Dried fruit, cocoa, spice | $30 to $40 | Gifts, Manhattan |
Best Bourbon Under $50 to Sip
For sipping, we look for a bourbon with enough proof to carry flavor, enough age to round off the edges and a finish that keeps going. These are the bottles we pour for people who want a nightly glass without paying collector prices.
Our top sipping pick under $50. Each bottle comes from one barrel of Four Roses' high-rye OBSV recipe, so you get ripe red fruit, pepper and a dry oak finish that lasts. It tastes like a more expensive bottle, and at 100 proof it opens up nicely with a few drops of water.
Wild Turkey's sipping line, named for master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell. Ten years in heavily charred barrels brings caramel, vanilla and toasted oak, with the brand's trademark spice kept in check. Smooth enough for a first pour, deep enough for a regular.
One of the best values in bourbon. Toffee, nutmeg and a big oaky backbone from Heaven Hill's well-aged stocks. It drinks like a bottle twice the price, and it is just as good in a Manhattan as it is neat.
The age statement is back on the label, and it shows. Nine years gives roasted nuts, dark caramel and a firm oak finish. A classic pre-Prohibition style bourbon that we hand to people who like their whiskey bold and dry.
Best Bourbon Under $50 for an Old Fashioned
An Old Fashioned is mostly whiskey, so the bourbon matters. Sugar and dilution flatten anything too soft, so we look for 100 proof or close to it and a good dose of rye spice. For recipes and more picks, read our full guide to the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned.
Our favorite for an Old Fashioned. Banana bread, cinnamon and a charred-oak bite that cuts right through sugar and bitters. Old Forester has been sold in sealed bottles since 1870, and this is still one of the best bourbons for the money.
A bartender staple for a reason. Orange peel, vanilla and black pepper, with the proof to hold its shape over ice. Use it in an Old Fashioned, a Boulevardier or a Whiskey Sour.
The best all-rounder on this list. Caramel, vanilla, a little mint and a clean finish. It makes a softer, rounder Old Fashioned than the 100-proof picks, which many people prefer. It is also one of our best sellers.
Best High-Proof Bourbon Under $50
High-proof bourbon is usually priced out of reach. These three are the exceptions, and all of them are worth keeping on the shelf.
Our pick for the best high-proof bourbon under $50. A cult favorite among bourbon regulars, and a high-rye mash bill gives it pepper, orange and cinnamon on top of caramel. For the price, there is no better way to find out if you like high-proof bourbon.
Bottled at 125 proof, the same proof it went into the barrel at, so it drinks close to barrel strength. Dark caramel, cherry, cinnamon and a long, warming finish. Add a splash of water or one big cube and it opens up beautifully. It often sells just under $50; at full price it runs a little over.
Classic Maker's Mark, uncut. Proof changes from batch to batch, but it always lands well above the standard 90. Big vanilla, brown sugar and baked fruit with the soft wheated texture intact. A great step up for anyone who already loves Maker's.
Best Wheated Bourbon Under $50
Wheated bourbons use wheat instead of rye as the second grain. The result is softer, sweeter and rounder, often described as "bready" or "honeyed." If you find most bourbon too spicy, start here.
Made from the same wheated recipe as some of the most sought-after bourbons in the world. Honey, butterscotch and a soft, gentle finish. It goes fast when it lands, so grab it when you see it.
Heaven Hill's wheated bourbon, and the wheater we recommend most often for everyday drinking. Brown sugar, fresh bread and vanilla with a little more body than most bottles at this price.
The bourbon that made wheated bourbon famous, and the one we hand to beginners. Red winter wheat gives it vanilla, caramel and soft fruit with no harsh edges. It also makes a very approachable Old Fashioned.
Best Bourbon Gift Under $50
A good gift bourbon needs two things: a bottle people recognize and whiskey that lives up to it. These three always land well. For more ideas, browse our Gifts for the Bourbon Lover.
The bourbon gift that never misses. Dried fruit, cocoa, vanilla and gentle spice, in a bottle that looks good on any bar cart. It is also the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, which makes it an easy story to tell.
A step up in presentation and flavor. Butterscotch, vanilla and stone fruit with a rich, oily texture. The kind of bottle that tells someone you put thought into it.
A blend of four of the distillery's ten recipes. Ripe berries, honey and soft spice. Approachable for a casual drinker, interesting enough for an enthusiast.
How to Read a Bourbon Label
The words on the label tell you a lot about what's in the bottle. Here is what they actually mean. For a deeper dive into distilleries and styles, see our ultimate bourbon guide.
Bourbon
Made in the United States from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak containers and bottled at 80 proof or more. Nothing can be added except water. It does not have to come from Kentucky, though most of it does.
Straight bourbon
Aged at least two years. If it is younger than four years, the label has to state the age. Most bottles in this guide are straight bourbons.
Bottled in Bond
A guarantee from 1897: made by one distillery in one season, aged at least four years in a bonded warehouse and bottled at exactly 100 proof. 1792 Bottled in Bond is a strong example under $50. See our full bottled-in-bond collection.
Small batch, single barrel and barrel proof
"Small batch" has no legal definition; it just means fewer barrels were blended. "Single barrel" means every bottle came from one barrel, so each one tastes a little different. "Barrel proof" or "cask strength" means little or no water was added before bottling.
High rye vs. wheated
After corn, most bourbons use rye as the flavoring grain, which brings spice and pepper. High-rye bourbons push that further. Wheated bourbons swap rye for wheat, which makes the whiskey softer and sweeter.
How to Drink Bourbon
- Neat: one to two ounces in a Glencairn or rocks glass. Let it sit a minute before the first sip.
- With a few drops of water: especially for 100 proof and up. Water opens up aroma and softens the heat.
- On one big cube: chills slowly with less dilution than crushed ice. Good for high-proof bottles on a warm night.
- In an Old Fashioned: two ounces of bourbon, a quarter ounce of simple syrup, two dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred over ice with an orange peel.
- In a Manhattan: two ounces of bourbon, one ounce of sweet vermouth, two dashes of bitters, stirred and served up with a cherry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bourbon under $50?
Buffalo Trace is the best all-around bourbon under $50. For sipping, Four Roses Single Barrel is our top pick. For high proof, Old Grand-Dad 114.
What is the best bourbon under $30?
Elijah Craig Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101, Old Forester 100 Proof and Buffalo Trace are all under $30 and all excellent. For the lowest price, Evan Williams is a reliable everyday pour.
What is the best bourbon for beginners?
Maker's Mark is the best bourbon for beginners. It is wheated, so it is soft and sweet with no harsh edges. Basil Hayden, at 80 proof, is another gentle starting point.
What is the smoothest bourbon under $50?
Wheated bourbons are the smoothest: Weller Special Reserve, Maker's Mark and Larceny. Russell's Reserve 10 Year is the smoothest of the rye-recipe bourbons on this list.
Does bourbon have to be made in Kentucky?
No. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States. Kentucky makes the vast majority of it, and every bottle in this guide is from Kentucky.
Is a higher-proof bourbon better?
Not always, but it is usually more flavorful for the money. Higher proof means less water, so more flavor per sip, and you can always add water yourself. For cocktails, 100 proof or more holds up better to ice and sugar.
Bourbon vs. rye: what's the difference?
Bourbon is at least 51% corn, so it is sweeter. Rye whiskey is at least 51% rye, so it is spicier and drier. Read our full rye vs. bourbon guide.
Shop Bourbon Under $50 at The Liquor Barn
Hundreds of bourbons under $50, from everyday pours to hard-to-find wheaters. Ships nationwide. Family-owned since 1982.
Shop Bourbon Under $50 All Bourbon Wheated BourbonThe Liquor Barn operates three retail locations in Vernon Hills, Wheeling, and Niles, Illinois. We are a licensed Illinois retailer and ship to states where direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping is permitted. Prices and availability change; the product page always has the current price. Questions about shipping to your state? Contact us here. Please drink responsibly.
