We have great news for all bourbon fans out there – we found 11 best inexpensive bourbons under $25 that don’t taste cheap!
Bourbon is one of the most popular spirits among connoisseurs and casual drinkers. Its caramel and honey notes which are given by the charred oak barrels in which it’s aged, make it a unique and versatile drink. So, whose brilliant idea this was? There is no confirmed story of how bourbon was created, but many people credit its origin to a stroke of luck. One of many versions says that towards the ends of the 18th century, Elijah Craig, a distiller from Bourbon county, decided to burn the inside of the oak barrels -for cleaning purposes- before storing the whiskey in them. Little did he know that by doing so he had created a very different product.
These days the production of bourbon is one of the most controlled and regulated ones. For a whiskey to be called bourbon – it must be produced in the United States, as it was declared by Congress as “America’s Native Spirit”. Consulting a bourbon guide you will see that bourbon’s special flavor is achieved following specific procedures: First and most importantly, its grain mixture must be at least 51% corn, other grains like malted barley, rye and wheat may also be added to the combination. Furthermore, bourbon is matured in new and charred American white oak barrels and bottled at minimum 40% ABV. All these conditions give bourbon its unique taste among other whiskeys. But, what makes a great bourbon?- Aging does. Like all good things in life, bourbon needs time to show its real charm. As an example, there is the 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It’s an 8.5-year old bourbon which was named best bourbon in the world of 2018, a real piece of collection for connoisseurs.
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An interesting fact about bourbon is that contrary to the strict rules applied to its production, there is no exact way how to drink it. It’s bourbon’s versatility what makes it the go-to drink. There are bourbons for every occasion (and every pocket). You can drink it neat or in a cocktail, for which we can suggest you Four Roses Yellow label, the best mixing bourbon, it might not be as desired as is the 1792 Full Proof but it’s the best if you want to chill out and enjoy a casual cocktail.
In a past article we have given you the Best bourbon for the money in 2018: 10 best bourbons under 50, and this time we took it one step further, we found 11 best inexpensive bourbons under $25 that don’t taste cheap. We agree that sometimes describing something as affordable can bring a negative connotation since usually mass appeal and quality don’t go together, but believe it or not – there are affordable, yet great tasting bourbons produced by many of the renowned distilleries and as well by many craft producers.
To formulate our list of the 11 best inexpensive bourbons that don’t taste cheap, we have consulted the ranking on Breaking Bourbon and for the additional information, we have used the bourbon guide found on the page of the American Bourbon Association which provided us with the verdicts on taste of each bourbon found in the market. The prices shown are taken from Total Wine and are for standard bottles of 750 ml. Without further ado, we are giving you the 11 best inexpensive bourbons under $25 that don’t taste cheap.
11. Old Weller Antique 107 ( Buffalo Trace Distillery) – Price $24
Old Weller Antique is one of the most coveted bourbons in the world today, not only for its price but because of its limited production and good reputation. It’s a full-bodied bourbon with sweet fruit notes and strong vanilla undertone, and a real bargain for the price.
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10. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey (Buffalo Trace Distillery) – Price $24
Produced in limited amounts, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon is the perfect example of what bourbon should be. It has a complex aroma of vanilla, mint, and molasses. It’s incredibly versatile, sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice. In 2018, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon has won many awards for its quality including gold medals at the New York International Spirits Competition and the American Whiskey Masters, to name a few.
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9. Evan Williams SIB (Heaven Hill Distillery) – Price $24
Evan Williams Single Barrel is a special edition of the Heaven Hill Distillery. The 7-year-old bourbon has aromas of dark caramel sweet oak and charred wood. It’s a great, affordable and well-balanced bourbon that deserves a place in everyone’s collection.
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8. Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon (Wild Turkey Distillery) – Price $20
Its mixed of sweet and spicy flavors allows it to be the best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It’s also excellent in more sophisticated cocktails. Wild Turkey 101 is not a bourbon for beginners because it might appear too hot for some, but it’s precisely this what makes it unique.
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7. Old Forester 86 (Old Forester Distillery)- Price $ 20:
Old Forester 86 was the first bourbon to be sold in sealed glass bottles. It’s a rye-rich bourbon that delivers intense flavors of clove and oak, as well as vanilla and fruity notes. Great for drinking neat or mixed in cocktails. It’s a great value purchase.
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6. Four Roses Yellow Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Four Roses Distillery) – Price $19
This budget-friendly product of the highly regarded Four Roses distillery is a bourbon easy to like. It is soft and lightweight and has a floral aroma with hints of apple and pear. Its well-balanced flavor makes it integrate well into cocktails making it the best mixing bourbon on our list.
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5. Maker’s Mark (Maker’s Mark Distillery) – Price $19
It’s the only handmade bourbon whiskey produced only in batches of 19 barrels or less. Its red waxed bottle is its most recognizable characteristics but it’s the bourbon’s well-balanced flavor what makes it unique. It tastes fruity and creamy with notes of spice honey and mixed peels. It’s an excellent value for the money, which is why we think of it as one of the 11 best inexpensive bourbons under $25 that don’t taste cheap.
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4. Fighting Cock Bourbon ( Heavens Hill Distillery) – Price $16
Heaven Hills refers to this brand as the ‘kickin’ chicken,” and it is. This bourbon helps to break the belief that low prices don’t mean quality. It’s easy to drink and appreciated by both new and experienced bourbon lovers. Without a doubt, this bourbon offers excellent value for its price.
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3. Old Grand Dad (Jim Beam Distillery) – Price $13:
It’s light and refreshing with rich flavors of cinnamon, and brown sugar. Old Grand Dad is a product with a higher percentage of rye in the mix which gives it a light and spicier flavor. It might not be the smoothest bourbon, but if you were looking for something new and a little more challenging, this is a great place to start.
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2. Evan Williams Black Label (Heaven Hill Distillery) – Price $11:
Evan Williams Black Label is the second largest selling Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in the US. It has a light amber color and notes of caramel and vanilla with hints of dark fruit and nutmeg. It’s sweet to the taste and easy to drink neat and in cocktails.
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1. Jim Beam (Jim Beam Distillery) – Price $10:
The #1 best selling bourbon it’s suitable for all occasions. This versatile bourbon from the Beam family doesn’t need introduction at all. Jim Beam’s recipe hasn’t changed in 200 years. It’s easy to drink and serves as a good foundation for mixing in cocktails. Its flavor has notes of caramel, vanilla and a touch of rye with a sweet finish which make it also a good option for drinking it neat.
That being said, this was our list of 11 best inexpensive bourbons under $25 that don’t taste cheap. Which one is your favorite?
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