The 7 Best Cheap Bourbons in 2022

It’s hard to be a budget-conscious bourbon drinker these days. Without a thick wallet full of money to burn, you may not have the means to acquire highly sought-after bottles, like Pappy Van Winkle, Old Forester Birthday, or even Blanton’s. Moreover, the once lowly W.L. Weller Special Reserve could be had a few years back for under 20 bucks. Today, $80 is considered a deal, and we’ve seen it twice as high as that.

For our fellow whiskey connoisseurs, it’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s worth the reminder: You don’t have to empty your bank account to drink great bourbon. Turns out, you can still find good whiskey for less than the cost of a tank of gas.

So, if high prices have you down, here are the best cheap bourbons.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon at Drizly

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Best Under $25:

Four Roses Bourbon at Drizly

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Best Under $30:

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey at Drizly

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Best for Sipping:

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon at Drizly

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Best Under-the-Radar:

David Nicholson 1843 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at Caskers

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Best for Old-Fashioneds:

Fistful of Bourbon Whiskey Blend at Drizly

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Best High-Proof:

Old Grand-Dad Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at Drizly

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQs
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

View On Drizly View On Flaviar

ABV: 50% | Age: 9 years | Volume: 750 ml, 1 L, 50 ml, 375 ml

An omnipresent fixture on many bars, Knob Creek 9 Year is probably the most versatile and affordable bourbon on the market. The brainchild of legendary Jim Beam master distiller Booker Noe, Knob Creek has become an archetype of the whiskey style since its debut in the '90s. Bottled at 100 proof, it’s not too hot to sip neat, but it’s hearty enough that ice won’t dent the deep vanilla, caramel, wood, and spice. Plus, those flavors are big enough to stand out in a delicious cocktail.

Price at time of publish: $48 for 1.0L bottle

Courtesy of Drizly

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ABV: 40% | Age: 5+ years | Volume: 1 L, 750 ml, 1.75 L

Four Roses Bourbon might just offer the best value in whiskey. Not only is it cheap, but it’s also incredibly good. Not long ago, the brand called this entry-level whiskey Four Roses Yellow Label, but it’s still the highly approachable, well-rounded, and balanced glass it was before. Aged at least five years, it’s a whiskey that you are going to find near the bottom of the shelf at your liquor store—but pay that product placement no mind. It’s a rich and delicious bourbon loaded with caramel, vanilla, and spice.

Price at time of publish: $25 for 750.0ml bottle

Total Wine

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ABV: 50.5% | Age: 5+ years | Volume: 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L, 375 ml, 200 ml, 50 ml

This classic stalwart needs no introduction—perhaps just a reminder that it’s a tasty bottle at an affordable price and not just something to pound before chasing with a beer. Wild Turkey 101 is a wonderfully versatile bourbon. Not only does it make a super sipper, but that 101 proof also gives it the heft to battle a good portion of ice and let flavors ring out in a cocktail. Caramel and candy corn balance oak spice and a deep char that leads to a peppery, fruity finish with just a hint of mint.

Price at time of publish: $34 for 1.0L bottle

Drizly

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ABV: 43.3% | Age: 9 years | Volume: 750 ml

Thanks to its price point and quality, Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage is one of our favorites. There simply aren’t many cost-conscious single-barrel bourbons on shelves these days. Affordability coupled with its typical dynamic flavor profile makes this bottle an instant buy in our estimation. Of course, as it’s a single barrel, the precise tasting notes change from cask to cask, but a fruit and honey sweetness, oak, and spice are all hallmarks of this classic expression from the folks at Heaven Hill Distillery.

Price at time of publish: $32 for 750.0ml bottle

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Courtesy of Caskers

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ABV: 50% | Age: No Age Statement (NAS) | Volume: 750 ml

David Nicholson 1843 is a bottle that won’t jump out at you on the shelf, but if you see a bottle, grab it and put it in the cart. This bourbon punches so far above its price point that you’ll feel almost criminal at the checkout. Part of the Luxco portfolio, David Nicholson 1843 is a wheated bourbon with no age statement, but big-time flavor. Vanilla, honey, and buttery biscuit marry warm wood, smoke, and spice to create a rich mouthful that will leave you wondering why you didn’t buy two.

Price at time of publish: $27

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Courtesy of Minibar

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ABV: 45% | Age: 2+ years | Volume: 750 ml

Even when you're imbibing in a mixed drink, like an old-fashioned, you don't want to use low-quality bourbon. For those on a budget, we suggest Fistful of Bourbon. The expression is a 90-proof blend of five bourbons from spirits juggernaut William Grant & Sons, so a hunk of ice isn’t an issue. Lovely notes of toffee, caramel, and cinnamon work well with the spice of bitters and tart sweetness of cherry in this classic cocktail.

Price at time of publish: $28 for 750.0ml bottle

Courtesy of Caskers

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ABV: 57% | Age: NAS | Volume: 750 ml

It’s almost impossible to believe that in this day and age of bourbon, you can score a bottle of Old Grand-Dad 114 for around $30. It’s an intense whiskey with a serious ABV—the 114 in the name is a reference to the proof. We recommend a dash of water or a small ice cube to mitigate the heat if you’re going to sip this one. Loaded with dark fruit and oak with a decadent tobacco note and an ample portion of rye spice, it’s a yummy glass on its own or as a base for nearly any bourbon drink you can shake a bar spoon at.

Price at time of publish: $30 for 750.0ml bottle

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Final Verdict

Level up your liquor cabinet with our top pick, Knob Creek 9 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon (view at Drizly), which has deep flavors of vanilla, caramel, wood, and spice. For an even cheaper bottle that doesn't sacrifice quality, we recommend Four Roses Bourbon (view at Drizly).

What to Look for in a Cheap Bourbon

Taste

The characteristic flavors of bourbon are vanilla, oak—from the barrels in which it is aged—and caramel, but there are also bourbons with notes of honey, buttery toffee, fruit, spice like cinnamon, or smokiness. The tasting notes on the bottle are useful indicators of what to expect.

Single-barrel bourbon contains bourbon from only one barrel, which means each batch is slightly different and the taste is less predictable. If you like a certain bourbon and want exactly the same taste every time you buy a new bottle, skip the single-barrel bourbon.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV)

The legal minimum ABV of bottled bourbon is 40 percent ABV, but there are many that are 50 percent and higher. The higher the alcohol content, the stronger the taste.

Age

There is no legal requirement for how long bourbon must be aged, so a spirit that has aged for only a few months may be sold as bourbon. To make sure you get a bottle that has been aged nicely—four to seven years is the average—check the label. It might say "straight bourbon" and provide the age of the whiskey. However, if the label shows “straight bourbon” and does not state the age, that means it's been aged for four years or longer.

Bottle Size

In addition to the standard bottle size of 750 milliliters, bourbons also come in larger bottles, which is convenient if you are a frequent whiskey drinker, or you are shopping for a big party. 50- or 200-milliliter bottles are great if you want to try the bourbon first before buying a larger bottle.

FAQs

What is the difference between whiskey and bourbon?

Bourbon is a type of whiskey. It must be made in the United States with a minimum of 51 percent corn and be aged in new oak-charred barrels.

Why is bourbon so cheap?

Bourbon is cheaper than Scotch, Irish, and other whiskeys because it is made from corn, which is much cheaper than barley, the grain used for other whiskeys. Also, the grain prices in the United States where bourbon is produced are lower than in other countries.

Is bourbon sweeter than Scotch whisky?

Yes, bourbon tends to be sweeter than Scotch whisky. The sweetness comes from the corn, which must be at least 51 percent but can be much higher.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Nicholas McClelland is a passionate whisk(e)y drinker who has written about spirits for Men’s Journal, Fatherly, and Inside Hook. His bar is deep with rare single malts, hard-to-find bourbons, and ryes, but he doesn't believe there's anything too precious to share with friends.

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Updated by

Nadia Hassani

Best Overall

Knob Creek 9 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best Under $25

Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label

Best Under $30

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey

Best for Sipping

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Best Under-the-Radar

David Nicholson 1843 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Best for Old-Fashioneds

Fistful of Bourbon Whiskey Blend

Best High-Proof

Old Grand-Dad 114 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey