Bourbon On A Budget: These Pros Serve Up Some Whiskey Wisdom

Bourbon lovers know you don't have to break the bank to enjoy a quality pour, and you can find a well-balanced and flavorful bourbon at nearly any price point. Whether you're sipping it neat, drinking whiskey with a little water, or finding the perfect ice cube shape to drink it on the rocks (round, if you're looking for slow-melting ice and a leisurely drinking experience), there's a bourbon for you. Bourbon is an experience, and connoisseurs will pay a pretty penny to enjoy a quality drink of bourbon – many "unicorns" in the whiskey world are hard to find and cost several hundred dollars per bottle, while the most coveted brands have bottles selling for upwards of $2 million dollars.

You needn't spend hundreds (and certainly not millions) of dollars to enjoy a whiskey, though. We turned to the experts to help uncover the best bourbons for a budget. From bartenders and beverage consultants to chefs and bar owners, these whiskey pros share their go-to affordable bourbons, all of which you can grab for less than $30 a bottle. Our experts are Henry Ottrix, beverage director for Xiquita Restaurante in Denver, Colorado; Jordan Smith, founder and beverage consultant at Bevlebrity; Tom Bronock, bartender, bar owner, and founder of Wilde Toast in the UK; and Mike Lopez, director of food and beverage at Elm Street Cask & Kitchen in Dallas, Texas.

The terms bourbon and whiskey seem like they're used interchangeably, but are they one and the same? The answer is, sort of. Bourbon is a type of whiskey, but whiskey isn't always bourbon. It's similar to how Champagne is a type of wine — but not all wine is Champagne.

To be considered bourbon, and not just whiskey, the drink must meet a few requirements. First, it must be made with at least 51% corn. This gives it the sweet flavor it is known for. Secondly, bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels — no reusing barrels that were used previously for another alcohol. And finally, the bourbon must be at least 80 proof before it's bottled. Fun fact: Bourbon can come from anywhere. We often think of it as being a product of Kentucky, and it often is (in fact, every bourbon brand that was recommended for this article is from Kentucky) — but bourbon can be made anywhere. Kentucky bourbon is often coveted, and it can be really hard to come by your favorite bottles (which is why Reddit freaked out when a favorite Kentucky brand was spotted at Costco).

There's a lot you can learn about a bottle of whiskey just by reading the label, and there are a few characteristics our experts mentioned several times when recommending whiskey. One of them is to look for a bottle that is designated "bottled-in-bond" (or "BIB").

In the late 1800s, whiskey was going through a rough patch. Anybody could hang out a shingle and call themselves a whiskey distiller, which led to lots of cheap alcohol made with unregulated ingredients (a whiskey drinker during this time might have found glycerine, formaldehyde, or even wood chips in their whiskey — no, thank you!). Kentucky distillers, who were tired of the poor products infiltrating the market, teamed up with the federal government to create a bottled-in-bond (BIB) designation to ensure quality and high standards across their products.

Today, if you see that a bottle is labeled bottled-in-bond, or bonded, it means you are getting a high-quality, craft product that has met strict, industry-wide regulations. A few of the requirements are: It must have been aged for at least four years, it must be bottled at exactly 100 proof, it must be made at one distillery (and in a single season), and it must be aged in a bonded warehouse.

Age is also important when choosing a whiskey, and reaching for a bottle that has been aged longer will likely give you a better drinking experience. "The more mature the whiskey, the greater the likelihood of picking up something decent at a budget price point," says Tom Bronock, bartender, bar owner, and founder of Wilde Toast in the UK. He goes on to say that not all whiskeys share their age on the label, but "keep an eye out for those in your price range that have a minimum age statement of 4 years. Aging is always a good indicator of the quality you might get out of the bottle." 

Mike Lopez, director of food and beverage at Elm Street Cask & Kitchen in Dallas, Texas, agrees. "Pay close attention to how long a bourbon has been aged, as this contributes to a more balanced flavor profile." 

The aging requirements for whiskey aren't necessarily the same across the world. In Scotland, for example, whisky (it's spelled without an "e" in Scotland) must be aged for at least three years. In America, it only needs to be aged for two.

They say the proof is in the pudding, and that is certainly the case when drinking bourbon. All of our experts commented on the importance of a whiskey's proof when choosing one to drink. Most whiskey is distilled at a very high proof and then diluted with water to make it more drinkable when it's bottled. But if you're going to be adding water or ice to your whiskey, you might want to start with a higher proof so your drink doesn't get watered down.

"The first marker to look for is the proof. Generally the higher the proof, the more robust and characterful the flavor profile is," says Tom Bronock, founder of Wilde Toast. "The closer you can get to 100 proof the better chance of a bourbon that delivers on flavor."

Mike Lopez, director of food and beverage at Elm Street Cask & Kitchen, agrees and acknowledges the nuance of understanding when to add water or ice to your drink and when to take it neat. "Proof is another key factor, but understanding when to add ice or water is equally important to mellow the flavors and enhance the sipping experience."

When it comes to picking out a quality bottle of bourbon for less than thirty bucks, Henry Ottrix, beverage director for Xiquita Restaurante in Denver, Colorado, always reaches for a bottle of Old Grand Dad bonded. "My all-time favorite bourbon is Old Grand Dad Bonded," he says. "It's a fantastic value, between $20 and $30, and it brings a lot of character to the table."

Ottrix says it tastes great on the rocks or mixed into a cocktail. "At home, I love sipping it over ice or mixing up Whiskey Sours. But honestly, you can never go wrong with a classic Old Fashioned." He praises the whiskey for its robust flavor profile, explaining that you'll taste toffee and white pepper with a hint of nutty flavor for a great balance of sweet and spicy.

Old Grand Dad 100 is made in Kentucky, where it's a member of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. family. This 100-proof whiskey costs $26.99 for a bottle.

Jordan Smith, founder and beverage consultant at Bevlebrity, always reaches for J.T.S. Brown bottled-in-bond when he wants an elevated whiskey-drinking experience. "J.T.S. Brown adds a depth signature to bourbons 10 times its price, highlighting browned butter up front that lingers long on the palate before giving in to black cherry and red currant," he says. And at roughly the $18.99 price point you just can't go wrong. Smith adds, "The weight and butteriness fades into a spicy lean rye that carries the finish from black pepper to dark berry fruits."

J.T.S. is a bonded bourbon that spends at least four years in oak barrels, but Smith notes that it drinks much older. "The added rest time rounds off the edges and delivers the quintessential caramel and brûlée common in any American corn whiskey." He also comments that this bourbon is a good fit for many types of cocktails. J.T.S. Brown is distilled in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Another bourbon brand straight outta Kentucky is James E. Pepper, and Jordan Smith, Bevlebrity, recognizes its 1776 Bourbon as another top choice bourbon on a budget. "While not bottled in bond, this whiskey is 100 proof and wonderfully spiced with rye. This brand blends whiskey from one of the top producers in the world with their own high-rye recipe to produce small-batch quality whiskey that sings in any cocktail," he says.

This brand is also the stuff of lore, and Smith notes that, "Legend has it the first Old Fashioned was stirred with James E. Pepper at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky." Colonel Pepper was the third in his generation to produce Kentucky whiskey, and was a respected horseman around the world, well-known for owning the finest Thoroughbreds in America. You can pick up a bottle of this legacy bourbon for just $26.99 at your local liquor store.

There are some brands of whiskey that have stood the test of time, and Wild Turkey 101 is one such brand. "In whiskey circles, Wilde Turkey 101 is seen as one of the best price-to-quality bourbons money can buy," says Tom Bronock, bartender, bar owner, and founder of Wilde Toast in the UK. "It has so much going for it with a great balance in terms of flavor profile — sweet caramel and vanilla notes offset by the spice from the liquid's high rye content."

The bourbon is perfect to sip on its own, and experienced bourbon drinkers will appreciate its flavors, but Bronock acknowledges its versatility in cocktails, too — particularly, he says "whiskey-forward cocktails like Old Fashioneds or Manhattans." Wild Turkey is a 100-proof whiskey and is aged for between six and eight years at its Kentucky distiller. A bottle of this easy-to-find bourbon will only cost you $19.99. Bronock explains that Wild Turkey "nailed" this bourbon and fans really can't get enough of it. 

Early Times whiskey has been around since 1860, and today it's owned by global alcohol brand, Sazerac. The bourbon has stayed true to its roots, though — it continues to be distilled in Kentucky and is another bottled-in-bond brand rooted in quality while maintaining a reasonable price point.

Tom Bronock, founder of Wilde Toast, says, "Another big favorite is Early Times Bottled In Bond, this is highly regarded and for many a go-to bourbon. This is probably due to the exceptional price point." He acknowledges that you're getting a great bottle of whiskey for a very reasonable price. A bottle is about $22.99, and Bronock notes that is "a remarkable value in a climate where whiskey prices continuously climb."

He calls the whiskey a well-balanced sip, noting it has lots of complexity and character. "Like the best bourbons at this price point, you are getting a whiskey that is as good drank neat as it is in well-made cocktails."

Wheel Horse Bourbon is distilled at the Green River Distilling Company in Owensboro, Kentucky, the tenth distillery to ever open in Kentucky. At just under $30 a bottle, Tom Bronock, bartender, bar owner, and founder of Wilde Toast, says that Wheel Horse Bourbon is a winner that often slips under the radar. "Many in the bar world swear by it as an entry-level bourbon that really holds its own in cocktails but is also commendable as a sipper," he says, noting that it's got a great cherry and vanilla flavor that is tasty on its own but also great for cocktails.

"... I really like a bourbon that can stand up to ice and other ingredients, and Wheel Horse has the muscle to do that," Bronock adds. Wheel Horse Bourbon is aged for two to four years and has many awards. In 2021, it was named a Top 20 Whiskies of the Year by Whisky Advocate. Bronock says he can't imagine any complaints about this bourbon, especially because of its price point. 

The history of Four Roses Bourbon dates back to 1860, when the owner at the time, Paul Jones Jr., started producing and selling whiskey. He moved his business to Louisville, Kentucky in 1884, and the brand has thrived ever since. The brand produces several whiskeys, but the 80-proof Four Roses Yellow Label, which is aged for at least five years, is known for its affordable price and for being a great intro to bourbon.

Mike Lopez, director of food and beverage at Elm Street Cask & Kitchen, is a fan. "Four Roses Yellow Label is an excellent bourbon for under $30. It offers a smooth, well-balanced flavor profile that stands out in its price range," he says. Lopez calls it a hidden gem that may go unnoticed, but points out that its affordable price and drinkability make it an ideal choice for everyday whiskey drinkers. He adds, "It appeals to both seasoned bourbon enthusiasts and casual or novice drinkers alike." A liter costs around $27.99.