Cheap Bourbons You Should Always Buy

Whether you drink it neat, on the rocks, or in a sophisticated Manhattan, bourbon is one of the most American drinks you can swig. In fact, whiskey needs to be made in America to count as bourbon. Bourbon also needs to contain at least 51% corn and spend time aging in new charred oak barrels. Making this type of booze is an art. Depending on the maker, you'll most likely detect perceptible hints of caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, grain, wood, or flower (via The Whiskey Guide). The strength of the bourbon really depends on the exact aging process. According to Difford's Guide, there's no minimum aging requirement for bourbon, unless you want to call your bourbon a "straight" whiskey, in which case it needs to age for a minimum of two years in an oak cask.

Now, knowing the best bourbons to try no matter the cost is one thing, but not everyone can drop over $100 on a bottle of liquor. We're here to deliver exciting news: you can most definitely find affordable bourbon (under $30) that's not just palatable, but totally robust in flavor. This is our comprehensive list of cheap bourbons you should always buy.

If you get stuck in the rabbit hole of impassioned opinions on the r/bourbon over at Reddit, you might find that Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is well-liked in the community — especially when it comes to cheap, 100 proof finds with an elongated aging process of four years. Per Forbes, Evan Williams Black Label is the second best-selling bourbon in the world. Bottled-in-Bond is Black label's slightly fancier, boozier cousin. It still doesn't break the bank — it's available at Drizly for under $20. When you sip this, you may discern notes of toasty oak and chocolate with a dash of dried fruit. It's slightly pepper-forward from the rye but notably warm, long, and dry. 

According to Bourbon Obsessed, don't be surprised if you also pick up notes of sweet black tea, oak, char, and jam too. When it comes to consuming, this bourbon deserves to be served on the rocks or with a splash of water.

If you're not swimming in a tub full of this bourbon already, then we suggest you pick up this unfiltered, rustic 100 proof whiskey, pronto. You can think of Old Tub as Jim Bean's glorified, limited edition cousin. It comes straight from Bardstown, Kentucky, and is aged for a total of four years. The primary flavor you get from this shimmering gold whiskey is oak, with warm caramel and candied orange adding complexity. Whiskey Monster denotes Old Tub as peppery on the finish, with a creamy base. Since it's unfiltered, you could think of it as the "Hazy IPA" of bourbon. Hovering in the $15-$20 price range, this is a type of bourbon that goes down easy on a blistering cold evening nestled by the fireplace.

"This Jim Beam expression really surprised with its bright, crisp but still nicely balanced and fragrant palate. Great finish with sweet and rich notes and feel. Stunning VALUE," said a verified customer at Total Wine.

If you're reading this, you're most likely familiar with the striking Knob Creek label — you can spot it in bars across the country, and for good reason too. According to Gentlemen Ranters, Knob Creek is produced in the same distillery as Jim Beam and has the same mash bill (meaning it's made with the same grain recipe). Although it skews a bit more high-end on the monetary side, Knob Creek 9 year, 100 proof Bourbon Whiskey is delicately aged in white oak barrels, providing a full-bodied flavor with caramel and sweet vanilla notes.

"Just breathing in the light caramel notes and the fruitiness brings relaxation. It is perfect neat at room temperature," said a reviewer on Knob Creek's website. 

According to Spruce Eats, Knob Creek is not for the faint-hearted simply due to its boldness. However, it's versatile — perfectly suitable for drinking on the rocks, or in cocktails too. To open up its rich profile, we suggest that you add a splash of water to activate the multitude of flavors.

Like most entry-level bourbons on our list, Very Old Barton 100 Proof is a classic whiskey that is approachable and easy to sip on. It used to be labeled as "bottled in bond," meaning it was aged for at least four years, but now makes no age claims on the label. Priced in the under-$15 range, this bourbon with a bright nose of buttery leather should maintain a forever home on your at-home bar cart (via Total Wine).

Bourbon Culture suggests that the palette of this one is "hot" with warm snickerdoodle cookie, berry, and Saigon cinnamon spice, which naturally seems like an intriguing magical potion of aromas. It's rated a 6 out of 10, which is most definitely worth your time for the price, especially since it is more complex than many of its competitors. Some might even think this is a $40 bourbon in a blindfolded taste test. Overall, Old Barton is a crowd-pleasing bourbon that definitely deserves a spot on our list.

Heavy on the rye, Old Grand-Dad isn't your conventional bourbon. It's challenged many taste buds since its inception in 1882. Old Grand-Dad is quite affordable, landing in the $15 price range (via Total Wine). If you're wondering if some sweet grandfather is part of the brand's origin story, you'd be right. According to Vinepair, maker Raymond B. Hayden was inspired to name this whiskey after his own grandad, Basil Hayden Sr.

Although it's undergone several packaging iterations, the recipe has remained very consistent. Bourbon lovers can choose between three different proofs: 80, 100, and 114. With a deep golden honey body, bourbon drinkers will pick up on charred oak and peppered spice notes, with subtleties of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit. It's quite delectable and highly recommended in the bourbon community.

"This is one of my favorites due to the high rye grain bill. One of the best bonded bottles at any price range, but definitely a steal for this price," said one verified buyer on Drizly.

With ancient roots that extend over 200 years ago, Buffalo Trace Bourbon is one of the most traditional Kentucky-made bourbons you can find. It's hand-crafted at Buffalo Trace Distillery, known for always producing consistently solid batches of whiskey, and aged for at least eight years (via Liquor.com). Buffalo Trace bourbon is a notch above many other budget-friendly whiskeys, and it's delicious on the rocks or in cocktails.

Buffalo Trace exudes a complex variety of flavors, ranging from warm toffee to candied fruit and vanilla. It's also decorated with several renowned liquor awards, including Gold at the 2020 American Whiskey Masters. It's a bit pricier in comparison to other bourbons on our list (around $20-$30), but it's well worth the extra couple of dollars.

"Buffalo Trace is a solid sipper for newbies and bourbonites alike. For a lower priced bourbon it provides a lot of flavor and a finish expected of higher priced bourbons," said one reviewer on Caskers.

This bourbon's elegant packaging featuring four red roses might stop you in your tracks. Four Roses is a historic brand in the U.S., but it disappeared from the American market for decades before reappearing in local stores in 2002. The Yellow label is an 80 proof bourbon that's smooth and easy to sip on. With a light amber body, the palette is noted as floral and fruity with a subtle spice finish that's quite invigorating. Based on Breaking Bourbon's review, the Yellow Label is best served in cocktails due to its well-balanced characteristics. On its own, this entry-level bourbon won't knock your socks off, but it's more than worth its $20 price tag (via Total Wine).

"A little sweet, a little heat. Fantastic price point for this entry-level Bourbon. Expect even more from their single barrel and other selections. Caramel apple on the palate with sweet corn on the nose. Short to medium finish. Not a game changer, but a great daily drinker or cocktail base," said reviewer Matthew on Flaviar.