• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Manored

Interior Design for Men

  • Articles
  • Tips & Advice
  • Buying Guides
  • About
Articles › Buying Guides

The 15 Best Bourbons Under 50 Dollars

By Brian Adee Updated August 9, 2022

Looking for some great bourbons to add to your liquor cabinet? Here are 15 great options.

Photo by HandmadePicture / Depositphotos.com

Bourbon is an American original that’s revered in bars worldwide. Defined by its mash bill of at least 51 percent corn, the expressions of bourbon are nearly endless — and there are a lot of good deals to be had on this spirit.

We’ll keep it short and sweet: We’ve collected 15 of the best bourbons under 50 dollars here, and every one of them deserves a spot in your liquor cabinet. Now let’s get right into the spirits, starting with the most affordable (but still high-quality) bourbons.

Table of Contents

  • Best Bourbons Under 50 Dollars
    • Old Forester Classic 86 Proof Bourbon
    • Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
    • Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bourbon
    • Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey
    • Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey
    • Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
    • Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
    • Woodford Reserve Bourbon
    • Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon
    • Bulleit Bourbon
    • Michter’s US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
    • Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
    • Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon
    • High West American Prairie Bourbon
    • Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
  • Wrapping Up

Best Bourbons Under 50 Dollars

Here are the best bourbons under 50 Dollars in no particular order.

Old Forester Classic 86 Proof Bourbon

This bourbon isn’t just under $50 — it’s half that. And for $25, this bourbon is outstanding.

Check current price

Its fuller proof makes it an excellent choice for old fashioneds, and the abundant citrus notes make it great for mixing into whiskey sours, too. But even at this price, it still drinks smooth and sweet with the addition of just a couple cubes of ice.

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon

Legend has it that the reverend Elijah Craig was the first person to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. True? Who knows, but it makes for a good story — and for a great bourbon.

Check current price

E. Craig is a steal of a spirit, delicious enough to drink neat but complex enough to still stand up in cocktails, too.

Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bourbon

From the whole Jefferson’s lineup, their Very Small Batch Bourbon is easily the most affordable.

Check current price

It’s blended from around four other batches of whiskey, then left to rest while the flavors marry together — another great sipping or mixing bourbon.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey

If you drink whiskey, you probably already know Maker’s Mark. But its extreme popularity is well deserved, as this high-wheat bourbon shows off the best of sweet and heat at the same time. 

Check current price

And, at 90 proof, it’s got enough kick to stand up to strong vermouths in a classic Manhattan or be a perfect sipper to wind your day down with.

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey

The spice of rye is front and center in Breckenridge’s high rye bourbon, lending a complexity to the spirit that’s balanced by the sweetness of charred oak.

Check current price

Expect flavors and aromas of butterscotch and vanilla, cut through by white pepper and clove on the finish.

Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Celebrity spirits are all the rage these days — and some of them are actually pretty good. Case in point: Brother’s Bond bourbon, created by the Salvatore brothers from ‘The Vampire Diaries.’ 

Check current price

It’s made with an unusual four-grain recipe that gives it a unique character and plenty of sipping potential, finished out with heavily charred staves for a caramel and vanilla kick.

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Buffalo Trace was the first bourbon that I fell in love with, and its apple- and caramel-tinted flavor is still one of my favorites.

Check current price

Even while the price continues to creep up year by year, I still turn to Buffalo Trace when I’m mixing up an old fashioned, or just want a glass of something neat that will ease me to sleep.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Woodford Reserve is a favorite amongst beginning whiskey drinkers, and it still has a place in the liquor cabinet of experienced boozers as well.

Check current price

Built around complex flavors and aromas, it seeks to give you a tasting experience of more than 200 identifiable notes — perfect for the budding whiskey geek who wants to give his senses a workout.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon

Alright, so if you don’t pick up this bottle while it’s still under $50, you’re missing out. It’s rare to find even a 4 or 6 year bourbon for this price, so Russel’s Reserve 10 Year is a real steal. 

Check current price

Rich caramel and vanilla are mingled with a touch of smoke and spice, making for a supremely relaxing dram that’s perfect for sipping neat.

Bulleit Bourbon

The limestone-filtered water that goes into true Kentucky bourbon gives it a special quality — a smoothness that you’ll see on full display in Bulleit bourbon.

Check current price

This is a classic bottle for drinking any which way you want: Mixed, neat, or with a splash of soda on a hot summer’s day. It makes a darned fine mint julep, too.

Michter’s US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

At the top end of the $50 price range, you’ll find Michter’s bourbon.

Check current price

It’s a true small batch bourbon, with each batch measuring no more than 20 barrels. That gives it an intricately melded flavor and aroma and makes it one of the most consistently delicious whiskeys on this list.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

It was only in the past few years that whiskeys made outside of Kentucky could legally be called bourbon. And Balcones’ Texas Pot Still Bourbon is one of the best examples of fine American whiskey that comes from outside of the Bluegrass State.

Check current price

The pot distillation ensures that every sip of this spirit is rich and viscous, making it an excellent contemplative sipper.

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Coming in at 100 proof, Knob Creek’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon is quite the beast — but it’s nicely balanced by a heavy dosing of charred oak for that caramel and vanilla sweetness bourbon drinkers love.

Check current price

Rich, woody, and powerful, it’s an ideal bourbon for mixing in classic cocktails.

High West American Prairie Bourbon

High West is an example of the “new bourbon” category, with distillers working on unique mash bills, aging protocols, and blending recipes.

Check current price

Because it has bourbons from 2 to 13 years old, it has both the complexity to stand as a neat pour and the price point that makes it attractive to mix with.

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Last but not least is a classic bourbon that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

Check current price

Wild Turkey 101 is bold, brash, and fiery but well-balanced at the same time. If you want just one bottle for mixing cocktails, this is a great choice.

Wrapping Up

Which of these bourbons caught your eye the most? There’s a whole range of prices there, and they’re all delicious when mixed or sipped neat. Enjoy, and we hope to see you again soon.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!

Categories: Buying Guides, Food & Drink Tags: alcohol, bourbon

You May Also Like...

Best Tequilas Under 50 Dollars
The 16 Best Tequilas Under 50 Dollars
best cocktail shaker sets for any budget - Featured Image-2
The 5 Best Cocktail Shaker Sets for Any Budget in 2022
Costco Liquor Review - Featured Image
Costco Liquor Review: Is Kirkland Liquor Any Good?
The Best Valet Trays (10 Stylish & Functional Options)

About Brian Adee

Brian looks for that special quality in everything he does, from everyday style to traditional handicrafts and outdoor activities. You'll often find him with his backpack and an old book, hitting the streets or the trail in search of fresh inspiration.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

About Manored

Manored provides interior design tips for men, including examples of real living spaces. Whether you have a bachelor pad, a whole house or a just one room to yourself, Manored can help you maximize its potential.

About · Tips & Advice · Buying Guides
Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Join 1,000+ Subscribers

Sign up, and we'll email you when we publish new content.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

Latest Articles

Top Man Caves from Reddit

Top 10 Man Caves from Reddit’s r/malelivingspace

Best Tequilas Under 50 Dollars

The 16 Best Tequilas Under 50 Dollars

Best Coziest Places from Reddit

Top 10 Coziest Places from Reddit’s r/cozyplaces

CB2 vs West Elm: Which Furniture Brand Is Better?

Differences Between Curtains & Drapes, Blinds & Shades (What You Need to Know)

IKEA vs. West Elm: Which Company Is Right for You?

Reader Favorites

  • Design Within Reach alternatives - featured
    The Best Design Within Reach Alternatives to Try in 2022
  • Philis Hue vs Wiz - Featured Image
    Philips Hue vs. Wiz: Which Smart Bulb is Better in 2022?
  • Costco Liquor Review - Featured Image
    Costco Liquor Review: Is Kirkland Liquor Any Good?
  • The Top 10 Best Offices from Reddit’s r:malelivingspace and r:battlestations - Featured Image
    The Top 10 Best Offices from Reddit’s r/malelivingspace and r/battlestations
  • best cigar humidors under 100
    The Best Cigar Humidors Under $100
  • best bedrooms from reddit's r/malelivingspace - featured
    The Top 6 Best Bedrooms From Reddit’s r/malelivingspace

About Manored

Manored provides interior design tips for men, including examples of real living spaces. Whether you have a bachelor pad, a whole house or a just one room to yourself, Manored can help you maximize its potential.

About · Tips & Advice · Buying Guides
Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Categories

  • Buying Guides
  • Decor
  • Furniture
  • How To
  • Interior Design
  • Lighting
  • Reviews
  • Style
  • Tips & Advice
  • Tours

Rooms

  • Balcony
  • Bathroom
  • Bedroom
  • Den
  • Dining Room
  • Hallway
  • Kitchen
  • Living Room
  • Office

Legal Info

Manored is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Manored also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. Manored is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

© 2023 Manored – All Rights Reserved