By Justin Thompson, Editor in Chief
OK. So I get asked all the time, “What’s your favorite Bourbon”, and my answer is usually one of two responses.
Response A: “What Bourbon are you buying me” or Response B: “That’s like asking a mother with 100 kids who her favorite child is.”
But after thinking about it for a while, I really enjoy a Bourbon that’s almost always on the shelf and is around $30. So I give you, my favorite Bourbons that are around $30.
No one should ever complain about receiving these as a gift nor should you worry about how someone enjoys them/mixes in them if you are entertaining. Basically, these are low-maintenance Bourbons, which should be the atmosphere in which Bourbon should always be enjoyed.
In no particular order or rank, here are my favorite 20 around $30……that are usually available.
- Bulleit Bourbon: Great on the rocks or in cocktails.
- Larceny: Another solid “wheater” if you want something a little different than Maker’s.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Bolder and spicier than their Yellow Label. Beautiful bottle.
- Maker’s 46: Spicier than the original with a sleeker bottle.
- 1792: Big flavors to be found in this one.
- Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year: A great Bourbon at just over $30.
- Bowman Brothers: If you like Buffalo Trace, you’ll like this one.
- Eagle Rare 10 Year: 10 year-old Bourbon for $30. Sign me up anytime.
- Elijah Craig: The only thing better than getting a 10 year-old Bourbon for $30 is one that is 12 years-old.
- Woodford Reserve: Always a crowd pleaser.
- Elmer T Lee: This one is getting tricky to find. But is still around $30 so I had to include it.
- Henry McKenna Single Barrel: 100 proof and 10 years-old. Pretty good value.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: The lesser complex of the Jefferson’s line, but still solid.
- Lexington: If you want to save $15 and like Basil Hayden’s this is a good fill-in.
- Old Forester 86: I’m referring to the 1.75/half-gallon for those large gatherings.
- Old Grand Dad 114: Very bold Bourbon. Closer to $25 in some markets.
- Knob Creek: Aged 9 years and 100 proof. Can’t go wrong there.
- Russell Reserve 10 Year: One of the best pours for just over $30 a bottle.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: 101 proof and sourced for Willett, who knows great whiskey when they taste it.
- Evan Williams Single Barrel: It’s 10 years-old and a single barrel and is almost always just under $30.
The Bourbon Review’s Top 20 Bourbons Around $30
