What are the best cheap bourbons under $30 if you don’t want to spend too much on a bottle of booze but still want to have a decent drink at the end of a hard-working week? Despite the fact that there are probably many brands of bourbon that can be picked up for less than $10, if you want a drink that still has some palate and won’t just burn your mouth and throat, you will still have to spend a bit more cash. The good news is that since bourbon is more accessible in the U.S than scotch, for example, you can buy a decent bottle of bourbon for under $30.
The sector of distilled spirits is seeing strong growth, with 2016 sales advancing by 2.4% to 220 million cases, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. American whiskey, which includes bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and Rye whiskey also registered growth of 6.8% to 21.8 million cases sold in the U.S.
In a previous article that covered the 10 best bourbons under $50, we mentioned that bourbon is a type of whiskey, which to be qualified as bourbon, has to be made in the U.S. and made with 51% corn, distilled at 160 proof and put in the barrel at 125 proof. The barrel should be made from charred new oak and it has to be bottled at no more than 80 proof.
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Since the climate in many parts of the U.S. usually involves a higher variance in temperature (i.e. it’s hotter in the summer and much colder in winter), bourbon ages much faster than whiskey in other regions. This is why it is more affordable, but also explains why there is rarely a bourbon that was aged for more than 15-20 years. In addition, as corn crops remain strong, the industry should be able to produce enough syrup to maintain supply, thus preventing a surge in prices.
Having this in mind, I have selected 11 best cheap bourbons under $30, although prices may vary depending on the region. Out of many available choices, I avoided bourbon that is very cheap (less than $10), although I am sure that there can be found some underappreciated or yet-undiscovered “gems” on the bottom shelves of a supermarket. The forthcoming list includes bourbons made by distilleries that are part of big multinational corporations like Beam Suntory or Diageo plc (ADR) (NYSE:DEO) and family-owned distilleries like Heaven Hill. The selected brands have been aged longer than more mainstream bourbons and/or are part of a premium class of single barrel bourbons. So, let’s check out what the best cheap bourbons under $30 are, beginning on the next page.
11. Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Year
Price: $30
Eagle Rare comes from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, which is owned by privately-owned Sazerac Company. Its name suggests the “premiumness” of the drink. Bottled at 90 proof from selected barrels aged to at least 10 years, it is probably among the best when it comes to “bang for your buck”.
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10. Bulleit Bourbon
Price: $30
Diageo plc (ADR) (NYSE:DEO) owns this brand, the number 10 on our list of best cheap bourbons under $30 that is manufactured at the Kirin Brewing Company’s Four Roses Distillery. Bulleit is characterized by its high content of rye (around 28% of the mash bill) and is aged for at least six years. It is bottled at 90 proof for the U.S. market and at 80 for other regions, like Australia.
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9. Old Grand Dad 114
Price: $26
Bottled at 114 proof (57% alcohol by volume), Old Grand Dad 114 that ranked 9th on our list of best cheap bourbons under $30 is likely to raise your hair due to the fact that it’s stronger than many other bourbons. The high alcohol content can get in the way of the flavor, but nevertheless, the rye, which represents 26% of the mash bill, is well distinguished alongside hints of cinnamon and a fruity palate.
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8. Buffalo Trace
Price: $25
We are continuing our list of best cheap bourbons under $30 with Buffalo Trace that is considered a great bourbon for its money, which is not surprising since the eponymous distillery named it after itself. The drink is aged for seven years and is bottled at 90 proof.
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7. Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Bourbon
Price: $25
Aged for 12 years, Elijah Craig 12-year-old bourbon is the oldest in this list. It is owned and manufactured by the family-operated Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., which is one of the largest alcohol suppliers in the U.S. Being bottled at 134 proof also suggests that it’s stronger than its counterparts, but a longer aging period means that the flavor is as good as it can get. However, it should be noted that it is a small-batch bourbon, so it may be pretty rare to find. If you do though, it’ll be a great addition to your bar, or even a decent present for an acquaintance that you don’t like significantly enough to fork out for a more expensive bottle of booze.
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6. Evan Williams Vintage Single Barrel
Price: $25
Bernie Lubbers, also known as The Whiskey Professor, named Evan Williams Vintage Single Barrel among his favorite bourbons under $30. It is manufactured by the aforementioned Heaven Hill Distilleries, aged for at least eight years and then hand-picked from a single barrel.
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5. Wild Turkey 101
Price:$22
Wild Turkey 101 is owned by the Campari Group and distilled at the Wild Turkey Distillery. It is aged for eight years in the heaviest deep-layer char, which the company says provides the bourbon with a deep distinctive flavor, and bottled at 101 proof. All of this makes it one of the best cheap bourbons under $30.
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4. Jim Beam Black
Price: $20
Jim Beam is probably the most well-known bourbon brand in the world, with its Original, White Label bourbon available almost everywhere at around $15 a bottle. However, for just $5 more, you can get a bottle of its Black Label bourbon, which is aged for twice as long (eight years vs four for the White). It is also bottled at a slightly higher proof (86 vs 80), which together result in a more refined and intense flavor.
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3. Fighting Cock
Price: $18
Now, the last three bourbons in this list cost less than $20, but are still pretty classy. Fighting Cock may not have the best name among bourbons, in my opinion, but don’t judge a drink by the label. Or do, since aside from the name and a picture of a erm, cock, it also adds that the bourbon is aged for six years and bottled at 103 proof.
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2. Four Roses Yellow
Price: $17
Four Roses Yellow is a decent entry-level spirit that might convince you to try some of the brand’s more expensive bourbons, like the Single Barrel. It is aged for five years and bottled at 80 proof, which is nothing special, but it is said to have a floral aroma with hints of pears and a crisp flavor that has notes of honey and spice.
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1. Old Grand Dad 80
Price: $16
If Old Grand Dad 114 is still too expensive for you, you can try this cheaper alternative, which is bottled at 80 proof. It still has a higher rye content than many of its alternatives within the same price range, which defines a spicier flavor. This is why Old Grand Dad 80 is among the best cheap bourbons under $30.
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Disclosure: None
