15 Budget Bourbons You Should Pick Up

15 Budget Bourbons You Should Pick Up

Bourbons under $40 offer an accessible entry into the world of American whiskey without compromising on quality. These affordable options boast a range of flavors, from classic caramel and vanilla notes to more complex profiles with hints of spice and oak. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, these budget-friendly bourbons provide a great way for enthusiasts and newcomers alike to explore the diverse and rich heritage of American whiskey without sacrificing taste or character. Shop bourbons now!

Elijah Craig Bourbon Small Batch

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon stands out as a remarkable value, offering an exceptional experience for bourbon enthusiasts. The inviting bouquet opens with delightful aromas of honey, sweet corn, vanilla, and brown sugar, setting the stage for what unfolds on the equally luscious palate. This bourbon strikes a perfect balance, combining boldness with smoothness, as flavors of honey, vanilla, and molasses take center stage, complemented by a subtle dry oakiness. Whether savored neat or with a touch of water, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon delivers a memorable and satisfying drinking experience. Buy it now for $22.99.

Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label

Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label is a timeless classic known for its smooth and approachable character. This bourbon, crafted by the esteemed Four Roses Distillery, boasts a mellow and well-balanced profile that has earned it a permanent place among bourbon enthusiasts. With a blend of ten distinct bourbon recipes, the Yellow Label expression showcases a harmonious combination of sweet, fruity, and spicy notes. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail, Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label offers a versatile and enjoyable sipping experience, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a reliable and satisfying bourbon. Buy it now for $24.99.

Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon is a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of Wyoming's distilling traditions. This small-batch bourbon is meticulously crafted using Wyoming-grown grains, including corn, wheat, and malted barley, resulting in a uniquely regional flavor profile. Aged in charred white oak barrels, the whiskey exhibits a rich and well-balanced character with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The careful blending of barrels ensures consistency in each batch, providing a smooth and approachable sipping experience. Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon reflects the spirit of the American West, making it a standout choice for bourbon enthusiasts seeking a taste of Wyoming's distinct terroir. Buy it now for $49.00.

Maker's Mark Bourbon

Maker's Mark Bourbon is an iconic American whiskey known for its distinctive red wax-dipped bottles and handcrafted approach. Produced in Loretto, Kentucky, Maker's Mark has maintained a commitment to quality and tradition since its inception in 1958. This wheated bourbon, crafted with corn, red winter wheat, and malted barley, offers a smooth and approachable taste. The signature sweetness of the wheat complements the notes of caramel, vanilla, and subtle spice, creating a well-balanced flavor profile. Maker's Mark is carefully aged in charred American white oak barrels, contributing to its rich amber hue and mellow finish. With its recognizable bottle and consistently satisfying taste, Maker's Mark Bourbon stands as a classic choice for bourbon enthusiasts and those exploring the world of American whiskey. Buy it now for $29.99.

1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1792 Small Batch Bourbon stands out with its meticulous craftsmanship and unique high-rye mash-bill, expertly combining the finest corn, rye, and malted barley. The aging process takes place exclusively on the top floors of warehouses, ensuring that the barrels reach peak maturity. Under the discerning eye of the Master Distiller, select barrels are chosen and married to create this exceptional small batch bourbon. Bottled at 93.7 proof, it delivers a bold yet smooth flavor profile, making it a versatile choice for sipping neat, over ice, or in classic bourbon cocktails. With an ABV of 46.85%, 1792 Small Batch Bourbon invites enthusiasts to raise a glass to elevated expectations in the world of bourbon. Buy it now for $29.99.

Fistful Of Bourbon

William Grant's introduction to the world of bourbon comes in the form of this carefully crafted blend, bringing together five straight bourbons bottled at a smooth 90 proof. Drawing on over a century of expertise in blending whiskies, this expression showcases a perfect balance of sweetness and complexity. Ideal for sipping and fostering enjoyable conversations, William Grant's bourbon debut is sure to please both seasoned enthusiasts and those new to the bourbon scene. Buy it now for $29.99.

Larceny Small Batch Bourbon

Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon, steeped in historical legacy, traces its roots back to John E. Fitzgerald, a post-Civil War distiller who founded a distillery along the Kentucky River. Fitzgerald's Old Fitzgerald Bourbon, renowned for its quality, eventually landed in the hands of Julian P. "Pappy" Van Winkle, sealing its fate as one of the world's most celebrated bourbons. Larceny pays homage to Fitzgerald's discerning taste and the Old Fitzgerald brand, incorporating a unique mash of corn, wheat, malted barley, and rye. Distilled in Kentucky limestone water and fermented with a proprietary yeast strain, Larceny honors tradition by choosing wheat as its secondary grain, creating a distinctive and flavorful bourbon. Buy it now for $30.99.

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon

Redwood Empire's Pipe Dream, named after the 14th tallest tree globally, stands as their inaugural Bourbon whiskey proudly crafted in California. A blend of four to twelve-year-old barrels, with a mash bill featuring 75% corn, 21% raw rye, and 4% malt barley, this bourbon boasts a deep golden hue. The nose is powerful, exuding sweet maple, vanilla, and a hint of honey. On the palate, Pipe Dream offers a rich and complex experience with notes of roasted pecan, vanilla, and a lingering interplay of char and woody nuances. Bottled at 90 proof, it finishes smoothly with a touch of black pepper, showcasing the diverse and well-balanced character of this Californian bourbon. Buy it now for $32.99.

Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon, introduced in the fall of 2019, aims to deliver an affordable yet distinctive daily bourbon with the signature Smoke Wagon flavor profile. Crafted from barrels featuring a high rye mash bill, strategically placed on the top two floors of the warehouse without rotation, this bourbon undergoes a unique maturation process. The elevated temperatures on the upper floors contribute to increased expansion and interaction with the wood, resulting in a rich and creamy character beyond its years. With no barrel rotation, the bourbon avoids harsh tannin flavors, and the high rye mash bill imparts a delightful spicy and nutty finish. The nose opens with inviting aromas of honey, toasted nuts, oak, and a subtle heat. The palate offers a creamy mouthfeel, with initial sweetness of honey and caramel at the forefront, followed by notes of nuts, oak, and pepper spice that gradually intensify. The nuttiness and oak gracefully fade, giving way to the dominance of peppery rye spice across the palate. The finish is a harmonious blend of creamy sweetness, lingering oak, and pepper spice, creating a well-rounded and flavorful bourbon experience. Buy it now for $35.99.

Cooperstown Distillery Beanball Bourbon

The Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon is a meticulously crafted blend that introduces a touch of softness to the palate, enhancing layers of depth and complexity. Deliberately elevated in proof, this decision by our distiller serves to accentuate the distinctive finish notes, contributing to the overall enjoyment of this finely crafted spirit. Each element is carefully considered to create a bourbon experience that balances smoothness with a rich and nuanced character. Buy it now for $36.99.

Walker's Cay Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Walker's Cay Bourbon, handcrafted in small batches in Owensboro, Kentucky, pays homage to our family's brewing legacy. Aged in new Missouri oak barrels and finished on sherry cask staves, this bourbon presents a rich and balanced taste with warm vanilla and sweet caramel undertones. The aroma is a harmonious blend of chocolate, fig, toasted oak, and vanilla, leading to a complex and delicious palate featuring toasted oak, grain, fig, vanilla, and a hint of pepper. The finish is warm, smooth, and pleasing, highlighting toasted oak, chocolate, fig, and concluding with subtle spice. With a mash bill of 70% Kentucky Corn, 21% Winter Rye, and 9% Malted Barley, this bourbon is distilled to 140° at 138 proof, offering a versatile spirit to be enjoyed neat, over ice, or in a cocktail. Made in Kentucky, inspired by The Bahamas, Walker's Cay Bourbon boasts an ABV of 45.0%. Buy it now for $36.99.

Four Roses Small Batch

Marrying the art of mingling multiple Bourbon recipes, our Master Distiller has expertly selected four original and limited Bourbons at the pinnacle of maturation. The result is a perfectly balanced small batch Bourbon that unveils a mellow symphony of rich, spicy flavors complemented by sweet, fruity aromas and nuanced notes of sweet oak and caramel. The finish is soft, smooth, and pleasantly long-lasting. Best enjoyed straight up, on the rocks, or with a splash, this exceptional Bourbon boasts a proof of 90 and an alcohol/volume of 45%. Buy it now for $39.99.

Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon

Jim Beam's Small Batch Bourbon is a testament to the artistry of aging, having matured in flash-fired white oak barrels. The intense charring process imparts a layer of red caramelized wood, contributing to the deep amber hue and sweet flavor of this 100-proof whiskey. With a moderately full-bodied profile, the palate is graced by notes of marmalade, honey, and maple. It exhibits a rounded and fragrant character, with ample fruitiness harmonizing with rich woody elements. The finish is long, smooth, sweet, and undeniably delicious. Buy it now for $39.99.

Penelope Four Grain Straight Bourbon

Named after the recently born daughter of its founders, Penelope Bourbon embarked on creating a range of four-grain expressions designed to be enjoyed by all. Penelope Bourbon, their signature four-grain straight bourbon whiskey, is a unique blend derived from three bourbon mash bills incorporating corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley. Each barrel undergoes meticulous hand selection and is artfully blended into a single batch. Renowned for its remarkable smoothness and flavor complexity, Penelope is ideal for sipping neat or elevating your favorite cocktails. Since its debut in 2019, Penelope Bourbon has garnered numerous accolades, including the 2020 Consumer Choice Award and a Double Gold Medal at the SIP Awards, showcasing its excellence in the bourbon realm. Buy it now for $39.99.

Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength is crafted from the identical high-rye mash bill used in the original expression. The chosen barrels are blended into a single batch and bottled at Stitzel-Weller in Louisville, Kentucky. Staying true to its name, this iteration is presented uncut and unfiltered, directly from the barrel. Notably, each batch exhibits a unique alcohol by volume (ABV), fluctuating between 118 and 125 proof. Buy it now for $39.99.