Of all the spirits on the market, bourbon is perhaps the most intimidating for newcomers to the scene. While experienced bourbon hunters know how to track down rare, highly allocated bourbon bottles like bounty hunters, there are plenty of delicious, high-quality and (most importantly) affordable bourbons sitting on shelves right now waiting to be cracked open.
Here are 6 fantastic bourbons that sip far beyond their price points. Whether you have a black belt in bourbon or you’re just starting to build out your collection, these bottles deserve a spot on your top shelf.
Want a quick lesson on the six styles of bourbon before we get started? Take your seats. Class is in session.
High West Distillery is proof that not all of the best bourbons come from Kentucky. This Utah-made bourbon is thick and rich on the palate with mouthwatering notes of honey nougat, cornbread biscuit, lemon zest and caramel apples. It’s a blend of 2-year, 6-year and 13-year-old bourbon for the ultimate layered tasting experience.
For such a masterfully blended bourbon from a respected distillery, this one is well worth picking up for the price point.
If you believe that love is the most important ingredient in any food or beverage, this is the bottle for you. So the story goes, Four Roses Bourbon was named by distillery founder Paul Jones Jr. in the 1880s when he sent a marriage proposal to a beautiful Southern Belle and asked her to wear a corsage of roses to an upcoming ball as a sign of her acceptance. She arrived at the dance with four roses pinned to her dress, and hence their love story (and a legendary name in bourbon) was born.
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is aged for 6-7 years and has spicy flavors, fruity aromas and hints of sweet oak and caramel on the palate. It finishes soft, smooth and pleasantly long. Try it in a Paper Plane for a fruity, but sophisticated cocktail.
A newcomer to the bourbon scene that already has a thriving fanbase, Penelope Bourbon was born in 2018 when Mike and Kerry Paladini created a spirit to commemorate the arrival of their baby girl, Penelope. (Awww.)
In less than 10 years, they’ve cranked out quality release after quality release, but our stand-out is the Toasted Bourbon, which is matured in charred new American oak barrels and finished in new, hand-toasted barrels. The result is a delightfully smoky, rich bourbon that pairs perfectly on its own or in a Toasted S’mores Old Fashioned. Although it’s on the more expensive side of this list, it far overdelivers on flavor complexity, especially compared to similarly priced bottles.
Basically, if you’re that person at the bonfire that likes their marshmallow burnt to a crisp before you slide it onto your s’more, this bottle is a must.
This Kentucky bourbon is finished with sherry cask staves, imparting vibrant, fruity tasting notes and a complex, long finish. You’ll get enticing aromas of roasted peanuts and rich caramel apple on the nose with tasting notes of fruit cake, caramel, vanilla and nuances of oak.
If you’re someone who likes spirits with a little added interest and complexity, definitely pick up a bottle of this reasonably priced bourbon. Bring it to your next gathering of whiskey lovers to see what everyone thinks of the unique flavors that sherry cask-aging can give a bourbon!
If you’re looking for an everyday, workhorse bourbon that can stand up on its own or in a cocktail, Cooper’s Mark is number one. This small batch Kentucky bourbon is a steal for the price with aromas of whole nuts, nougat and caramel and a nice medium body. ABC Guest, Jseidl25 said in their 5-star review on our site, “I would honestly pay closer to the 40-50 range for this. Definitely going to go pick up another bottle when I run out.”
Try it in a Kentucky Sidecar for a smooth, citrusy, elegant cocktail.
Okay, so technically this one isn’t actually a bourbon, it’s a charcoal-filtered Tennessee whiskey...but we’re not gonna gatekeep this phenomenal bottle based on a technicality. This award-winning premium whiskey has an amazing story, and its quality lives up to the legacy of the man himself. This staple varietal in their collection has classic notes of oak and vanilla and finishes with an intriguing hint of white pepper.
Pour it over a single ice cube, pair it with a nice cigar and share with friends over good conversation.
Whether you’re sipping bourbon neat or mixing it into a classic Old Fashioned, these bottles prove you don’t need to break the bank for great bourbon. Shop all of these picks and more at your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits or online at abcfws.com.
