15 Best Bourbons For Your Money Ranked

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of fine spirits, there's a great chance that you have a soft spot for that liquid amber gold that is bourbon. Bourbon differs from whiskey as a result of a stringent set of characteristics that regulate both the taste and quality of the drink (via BBC). As a result, getting a bad bottle of bourbon is almost impossible, but there are a number of gems out there that stand out among the rest.

If you think you have to drain your bank account to enjoy a fabulous bourbon, you're in luck because that isn't the case. If you know what you're looking for, you can find an impressive, smooth, and multi-layered bourbon for under $50. Our top bourbon selection runs the gamut from traditional to whimsical. These bottles marry standard flavors with unexpected notes for exceptional drinks that taste just as fine neat, on the rocks, or stirred into your favorite mixed beverage.

Jim Beam's Basil Hayden's bourbon retails for a reasonable $45 per 750 ml as of August 2022 (via Drizly), and you're guaranteed a predictably good, standard blend of flavors like caramel, fruit, and lots of vanilla. There's an excellent oaky base that offsets the sweetness and just a tiny touch of fire on the end in the form of black pepper. Although some bourbon aficionados might find Basil Hayden's flavor to be a bit too subtle or even watery, there's a case to be made for the easy drinking properties of this classic Jim Beam offering.

If you like playing at-home bartender, Basil Hayden's bourbon might be precisely what you've been waiting for. According to VinePair, Basil Hayden's is available nearly everywhere, easy to drink, and incredibly versatile. The fruity, sweet, and oaky nature of this bourbon is also universally appealing, and while it won't knock your socks off, it won't leave you wanting either.

Woodford Reserve Batch Proof is a solidly sophisticated bourbon that will set you back more than the others on our list, but rest assured that every drop is absolutely worth it. According to Paste Magazine, this premium product comes with a fairly hefty price tag of $130 per 750-ml bottle as of August 2022. While the sum might give you sticker shock, consider that Woodford Reserve Batch Proof is arguably one of the finest bourbons you're likely to taste, infused with rich jammy blackberries and cherries, plus chocolate, vanilla, corn, caramel, and a bright burst of citrus.

Mingling with all of that fruity flavor are aromatic notes, hints of spice and pine, and luscious toffee. Not to mention, this bourbon packs in a hefty ABV of around 60%. It's a tour de force in a bottle, starting strong and finishing long and smooth, while still harkening back to those oaky, toasty, vanilla notes that make the original Woodford Reserve such a sought-after bourbon (via The Beverage Industry).

Oregon-born and bred Puncher's Chance encompasses the holy trinity of Kentucky bourbon ingredients: rye, barley, and corn. So if you're a true bourbon lover, you'll want to add this one to your home bar immediately. An intrepid combination of different bourbons, this product is deliberately approachable and familiar. You won't find many off-the-wall notes in your bottle of Puncher's Chance, but you will find a standard, delicious bourbon crafted just the right way.

According to BevNet, the Eugene, Oregon, distillery that makes Puncher's Chance looks to flavors of vanilla, caramel, and sumptuous leather to make its bourbon sing. Even better, this liquor is also budget-friendly; a 750-ml bottle will set you back approximately $33 as of August 2022 (per Drizly), a modest investment to take your bar to the next level. Although you could drink Puncher's Chance straight, it's much better stirred into a classic Manhattan or artisanal cocktail of choice. The balance of woodiness and sweetness will make your drinks shine.

As a moderately-priced and satiny bourbon, 1792 Small Batch Bourbon manages to tread that delicate line between sophisticated draught and wildly approachable liquor. With an inspired combination featuring both rye and richer dessert flavors like vanilla and caramel, this is a winner. As a result, it's a drinkable bourbon that never veers too far into a spicy or cloyingly sweet territory, making it an excellent complement for the cherry and deep citrus flavors of an Old Fashioned. It's also delicious served neat or with just a cube of ice or splash of water to open it up.

According to the Lane Report, 1792 Small Batch Bourbon won the Whiskies of the World's Gold Outstanding Medal in 2021 and continues to be a perennial favorite for bartenders and home mixologists. So pick up a bottle of this delightful bourbon if you want to elevate your home bar and enjoy a versatile spirit that you can mix with almost anything — all without dipping too far into your bank account. As of August 2022, a 750-ml bottle retails for around $33 (per Drizly).

As of August 2022, Drizly prices a 750-ml bottle of Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon at around $50, making this middle-of-the-road spirit great for people who want to sip something splendid without emptying their bank accounts in the process. According to its website, Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon has a wheat base, providing a slightly different and exciting flavor profile that will give mixed drinks an unexpected boost.

It's also a pretty liquor with the bronze hue of a shiny new penny. Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon looks downright sunny and smashing in a rocks glass with a slight twist of citrus, so if a dazzling presentation is one of your top priorities, this will do the trick. Additionally, it's a pleasant and yummy bourbon, with bright butterscotch and toffee notes, a bready undertone, and plenty of honeysuckle running throughout. According to Uproxx, intrepid drinkers might even pick up rich brown butter and maple laced throughout each sip.

Buffalo Trace's Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is an excellent find if you want to sip on a premium bourbon without spending your entire paycheck. According to Drizly, as of August 2022, a 750-ml bottle of this liquid gold retails for around $50, setting it solidly in the moderate price range. Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is also a straight-up fine product with plenty of herbaceous notes, some citrus, and a ribbon of oakiness that ties the entire experience together.

The distillers also go light on the sweetness, applying a bit of honey with a deft hand to offset the citrus and balance the bourbon just right. It's possible to pick up on cocoa, almonds, toffee, and sugar too. Another ingredient you'll get a lot of sweetness from is the corn, thanks to Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey's mash bills. Ultimately, it's a natural-tasting, well-balanced product that won't set you back too much.

Balcones Texas Pot Still is essentially the flavor of fall in a shot glass, with vigorous notes of crisp apples, graham crackers, and toasty, bready aromas. There's also some nuttiness in the mix thanks to pecans and a touch of spice, with just the slightest bit of cream to round it off and give the bourbon a satisfying mouthfeel. Although Balcones Texas Pot Still has many bold flavors, it's still drinkable and approachable, even for bourbon novices. This innate versatility is part of the drink's charm and success.

As of August 2022, each bottle comes with a $42 price tag if purchased at the distillery. While it's not the cheapest option out there, you still get a lot of Texas-sized bang for your buck. Texas Monthly credits the Lone Star State's weather for providing a charitable barrel-aging climate and allowing the distillers at Balcones Texas Pot Still to think outside of the box with their process. The result is a bourbon that's not your typical Southern fare and presents a charm all of its own.