11 Cheap Whiskey Brands Experts Recommend

Choosing whiskey can be overwhelming at the best of times, but when you're on a tight budget, it's hard to know what's worth buying and what you should leave on the shelf. One surefire way to get a good recommendation is to ask the experts, and that's exactly what I've done.

I spoke with five whiskey experts who each gave their recommendations for cheap whiskey brands: Andrea Fujarczuk is a distilling professor at Niagara College, co-founder of Canadian Whisky Week, and a Les Dames d'Escoffier International Legacy Award winner; Steven Marshall is the lead bartender at Dirty Habit in San Francisco; Kimberly Patton-Bragg is a veteran New Orleans mixologist and whiskey specialist; Phil McKenna is the head bartender at MAD Bar & Lounge at the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue; and H. Joseph Ehrmann is the owner of Elixir Whiskey Saloon in San Francisco. Between them, they've given some brilliant recommendations.

Most of these recs are for brands where the majority of bottles are under $40, though they may have some more expensive offerings too. Whether you like bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish whiskey, or anything else under the whiskey umbrella, there's an option for you here.

A top pick from four out of five of the experts I spoke to, Evan Williams has certainly earned its space on this list. It's a classic, straightforward bourbon that's great in mixed drinks or for enjoying straight. Its notes of brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and spice make it a perfect example of a bourbon.

Andrea Fujarczuk particularly recommends the bottled-in-bond option from this brand, as it's a legal mark of consistency and quality. "It's an underrated category that most casual drinkers overlook, and it delivers great value while guaranteeing strict standards on aging, distillation season, and proof," she says. Kimberly Patton-Bragg remarks, "It drinks like a bottle that costs considerably more, which makes it a great working whiskey for a serious bar program." H. Joseph Ehrmann tells us that he uses it at his own bar and has seen it in many establishments he respects. "I would also buy it for personal use, which is saying a lot," he adds. Some of our experts even mention the cheaper Evan Williams Black Label as a solid pick.

But how best to enjoy Evan Williams? Steven Marshall recommends it in a Western Sour, which blends bourbon with grapefruit juice, lime juice, velvet falernum, and simple syrup. Fujarczuk likes using it in a classic whiskey sour or Old Fashioned. "It holds up well against strong flavors, with notes of caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, and rich baking spice," she says. It's a versatile choice in mixed drinks, but it's smooth enough to drink neat or on the rocks.

If you're looking for an affordable bourbon that you can find in most liquor aisles and won't break the bank, Maker's Mark is an obvious choice. It's popular for a reason, and although it's affordably priced, it delivers. It's among the best American whiskey brands, and you don't even have to shell out a fortune to buy a bottle.

Andrea Fujarczuk recommends the original Maker's Mark with its red wax-sealed bottle."It's an enduring classic that offers incredible dependability, with a strong connection to the land through its estate provenance," she says. At Star Hill Farm, home to the Maker's Mark distillery, the brand is experimenting with regenerative agriculture, growing different wheat varieties, and protecting its water resources.

Fujarczuk appreciates the consistency of the brand. "You know exactly what you're getting, bottle after bottle," she remarks. As it's smooth and creamy with fruity notes, she likes Maker's Mark in a Boulevardier or a classic Old Fashioned because it can smooth out the more bitter notes in the cocktails' other ingredients.

If you want to order whiskey like an expert, you need to know the difference between bourbon and rye. Both are similar, but the main difference is the grains that go into their mash bill — rye has at least 51% rye (whereas bourbon has this amount of corn), which gives it spicier notes. For those who want a good, cheap rye, Rittenhouse is the brand to go for.

Rittenhouse has been around since 1934, so it has a good heritage behind it. Although rye whiskey had a dip in popularity, the cocktail culture of the 2000s brought it back into the limelight. And since Rittenhouse is said to be the only bottled-in-bond rye available at that time, it made a name for itself. However, the fact that it's still around is only a testament to its quality.

"I'm a self-proclaimed boozy broad, so I want rye that actually tastes like rye, and Rittenhouse gives me the spice and 100-proof backbone I'm looking for," says Kimberly Patton-Bragg. She particularly recommends Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye, which she notes is one of the best whiskeys for an Old Fashioned, Sazerac, or Manhattan. It "has earned its place on back bars all over New Orleans for a reason," Patton-Bragg remarks.

For a lesser-known bourbon with a little history behind it, Cyrus Noble is an interesting choice. The brand dates back to 1871, when it was established in San Francisco, and it's still owned by the Haas Brothers family today. Although the bourbon is distilled in Kentucky, its Gold Rush-era San Francisco roots give it a story that's a little different from the usual bourbon brands.

At 90 proof, it's a versatile choice. "It makes great cocktails and is a fine sipper," explains H. Joseph Ehrmann. "I like it in spirit-forward drinks like an Old Fashioned, where the classic bourbon profile shines with just slight enhancements," he adds. Its flavor profile includes caramel, toasted hazelnut, buttery toffee, and baking spices, making it an approachable option for those who enjoy a rich, sweet bourbon.

Despite its long heritage and great taste, it's an affordable choice. A bottle comes in at just under $40. And there's only one option: the brand's classic bourbon whiskey, so there's no need to stress over which to buy.

Anyone in the market for an affordable, good-quality Irish whiskey should put Jameson at the top of their list. It's among the most-ordered whiskeys in America, and that popularity is for good reason. Not only is it a versatile choice, but it's fairly easy drinking and provides great value for money.

"Jameson is one of the most approachable whiskeys on the market," says Phil McKenna. "Its smooth, balanced profile makes it just as appealing to longtime whiskey drinkers as it is to those exploring the category for the first time." He also appreciates its consistent quality, meaning you know what you're getting every time. McKenna lists Jameson Original, Jameson Black Barrel, and Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition all as good options, while Kimberly Patton-Bragg particularly recommends Black Barrel. "It has the familiarity of Jameson, but with more richness, depth, and oak character," Patton-Bragg remarks. "It contains a higher proportion of single pot still whiskey than Jameson Original and gets some of that extra intensity from maturation in double-charred bourbon barrels." It costs a little more, but it's still affordable compared to higher-end Irish whiskey brands.

"Jameson is incredibly versatile," says McKenna. "Enjoy it neat, over ice, with ginger ale, or in classics like an Irish Mule or Whiskey Sour," he suggests. Patton-Bragg details a cocktail she serves at Pulcinella in New Orleans: "The Addio all'Irlanda features Marsala infused with Louisiana strawberries, paired with Jameson Black Barrel, Luxardo Del Santo herbal liqueur, lime, and Demerara." It might be a bit advanced for your average home bar, but it sounds brilliant.

Four Roses dates back to the 1800s, so it's a brand with history behind the label. It produces a selection of bourbons, but the majority come at an affordable price. Whether for sipping or mixing, there's something for you here.

Steven Marshall shares that it's one of his favorite whiskey brands, and Phil McKenna also recommends it, noting, "Four Roses is known for creating elegant, approachable bourbons that offer remarkable balance and consistency." If you're looking for a solid whiskey at an affordable price, you can't go too far wrong. Marshall remarks that the distillery's Yellow Label bottle is essentially the "little black dress of bourbon. It's appropriate for every occasion, either served simply or dressed up in a cocktail." He appreciates its versatility and reasonable price. "Crafted using a blend of yeast strains and mash bills, it has much more depth than your typical budget pours, and at 80 proof it's very approachable and easy to drink," Marshall adds, appreciating its notes of caramel, apple, pear, and spice.

McKenna likes the brand in general, but for affordability, he recommends the classic Four Roses Bourbon and Four Roses Small Batch. "It's delicious neat or on the rocks and works beautifully in cocktails such as a Whiskey Sour, Mint Julep, or Old Fashioned," he says.

Scotch whiskey can trend toward the pricier end of the spectrum, but that doesn't mean you have to completely forgo it if you want to stick to your budget. Although the brand offers some more expensive bottles, you can also pick up some affordable Speyburn whiskey. It's the perfect thing for sipping on a cold night, with just enough complexity to keep Scotch fans coming back.

"The 10-year is an amazingly versatile, classic Speyside dram, while the rest of the lineup also represents excellent value compared to more well-known brands," says H. Joseph Ehrmann. "It's a solid everyday dram that represents a classic Speyside flavor profile," he continues. It has more of a sweet fruitiness to it than you'd get from older single malts, but that does make it particularly drinkable and approachable, especially for those newer to Scotch.

"This entry point 10-year whiskey is a good sipper as you would want with single malts, but for the price, it's also menu-friendly for bars to use it and cocktails," Ehrmann says. You could mix without it being sacrilegious, which is a selling point for some whiskey fans. "If you're looking for an inexpensive bottle to get that honey, heather, malty nip, this is your bottle," Ehrmann adds.

There are plenty of good, affordable bourbons available, but Old Forester is up there with the very best. The brand's first whiskeys were made in 1870, and it's known for being the first ever bottled bourbon. Its heritage is reflected in its quality — it's clear this is a brand that knows what it's doing.

"Old Forester has built a reputation for producing reliable, well-crafted bourbon that consistently punches above its price point," Phil McKenna tells us. "It offers rich caramel, spice, and oak notes that rival many higher-priced bourbons," he adds. So, if you want a cheap bourbon that doesn't taste cheap, this is a perfect starting point.

McKenna suggests Old Forester 86 Proof and Old Forester 100 Proof for offering the best value, while H. Joseph Ehrmann — who is also a fan — says that the Bottled-in-Bond Rye is his go-to. "The 86 Proof is great for easy sipping, while the 100 Proof is a bartender favorite for classic whiskey cocktails," McKenna remarks. "It's a cocktail stalwart," says Ehrmann. "Put the 100 proof rye in every Manhattan you make."

If you want an easy-drinking Irish whiskey without spending a small fortune, don't forget about Bushmills. This brand has an impressive legacy. The truth about Irish Whiskey is that it's so old nobody really knows how long it's been around. Bushmills is the oldest licensed distillery in the world, having been established in 1608. And if that's not enough to attract your interest, it's surprisingly affordable — and expert-recommended.

"It's a historic cornerstone that offers fantastic value and a refreshing alternative to heavier oak-driven styles," Andrea Fujarczuk remarks. She recommends Bushmills Original for its impressive quality and price. Fujarczuk tells us that she appreciates its "legendary triple-distilled smoothness at an approachable price point."

While tasty enough to sip, Bushmills' affordability means you can also use it in mixed drinks without worrying that it's a waste. It's "phenomenal built into a tall highball with ginger ale or soda," says Fujarczuk. "Its fresh orchard fruit and light honeyed malt notes come through well."

Wild Turkey is among the big names in bourbon, but that doesn't mean it's expensive. And unlike other popular brands you can find in supermarkets and chain liquor stores, this one is certainly worth drinking. It's surprisingly complex with a decent kick to it that people who don't like overly sweet bourbons might enjoy.

"Wild Turkey's high-rye mashbill means you get a nice spicy kick along with the sweet corn notes," Steven Marshall tells us. "It's aged in heavily charred barrels, which creates strong flavors of vanilla, oak, and caramel." He further explains that it's aged at a lower proof rather than being diluted, which helps it develop a bold, deeper grain flavor.

Marshall recommends Wild Turkey 101 for those looking for the best budget bottle. And, if you're wondering how best to drink it, he advises trying it in a classic Mint Julep: "The higher proof helps it to resist rapid dilution from crushed ice, and the bold spice and leather notes cut through the sweetness of the sugar and complement the fresh herbal flavor of the mint." That's a classic American cocktail for a classic American whiskey.

James E. Pepper's 1776 line offers both bourbon and rye with a storied past. Back in the 1700s, the Pepper family started producing whiskey and continued doing so until 1967, when the brand's distilleries shut down for financial reasons. Then, in 2008, Amir Peay relaunched the brand and has been making some excellent whiskey ever since.

The 1776 is full of character and boasts broad appeal, enticing both casual whiskey drinkers and those with more experience. "It delivers impressive depth and richness for the price, with the kind of complexity often associated with more expensive bottles," says Phil McKenna. James E. Pepper's 1776 Bourbon has notes of vanilla, chocolate, honey, and cloves, while the 1776 Rye features those classic spicier notes of mint and eucalyptus alongside chocolate and honey. "It's excellent neat or over a large ice cube, but also shines in cocktail staples like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan," McKenna says.

Its blend of affordability and quality makes it a brilliant pick for anyone who wants a cheap whiskey that doesn't taste cheap. While James E. Pepper is no longer made by its founders, the new incarnation does a good job of keeping the brand alive and doing its history justice.

I interviewed five experts about their favorite affordable whiskey brands and used their recommendations for this article. Generally, I considered whiskey brands with the majority of offerings between $30 and $40. However, I also took value for money into consideration, so when the whiskey was cheap for the style — an aged Scotch, for example — it may also have made it onto this list. The list is presented in no particular order.