Trying to decide which mid-range bourbon you should buy?
Good news:
Your search can finally come to an end!
This article provides a detailed guide to the best bourbons under $50.
We’ve been reviewing hundreds of different bourbons for over nearly 5 years, and we’ve tasted just about everything worth tasting in the $35-$50 price range.
And through our extensive tastings, research, and internal debates, we’ve developed this comprehensive list of your best mid-shelf options.
The following resource (which will be updated ~4 times per year) is here to help you make a quick decision on which bottle of bourbon to buy next based on your goal.
That’s why we’ve divided this up into overall rankings (based on total value … price + taste), best sipping, best budget, and best tasting.
So, you’re about to get a handful of great recommendations for your next bottle based on expert opinions.
How We Determined the Best Bourbons Under $50 (Our Process)
Before diving in, it’s important to get a very quick picture of our review philosophy.
Our overall rankings are based on value.
And we’ve created this super complicated math equation to define what value is…
value = price + taste
So, there are absolutely bourbons that taste better than the #1 ranking, or that would be better fits for cocktails than #1, etc.
The point is giving an overall ranking that tells you the best way to spend $50, then give specific recommendations based on your goals and preferences.
So, with that in mind, you aren’t going to see many allocated bottles on this list.
Why?
- Because most allocated bottles that people put on their best bourbons under $50 list (like E.H. Taylor Small Batch, Weller Antique 107, and Stagg Jr.) are actually more than $50. Their MSRP is technically around $50, but that means literally nothing when people charge close to $100 for those bottles.
- Because most allocated bottles in this range aren’t any better than the top 5 on the list below. It’s surprising, but true. We’ve tasted them all and they are generally overhyped.
So, our goal is to give you a straightforward, no-nonsense list filled with bourbons you can get without camping out in front of a liquor store.
The Best Bourbons under $50 in 2026
1. Knob Creek Small Batch
Price: $40
Distillery: Knob Creek Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: A nine-year age statement at this price point is unique. Deep caramel, toasted oak, and full-bodied structure make Knob Creek a strong value. This bourbon is versatile enough for both sipping and cocktails.
Its full-bodied taste and long finish make it a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts. The distillery’s dedication to traditional methods results in a consistently high-quality product. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate a bold bourbon.
Click here to read the detailed review.
2. Black Frost Wheated Blended Bourbon
Price: $50
Distillery: Black Frost Distilling
Why It Makes Our List: Warm wheat sweetness, layered oak, and a smooth, rounded profile define this standout blend. Distinctive, expressive, and impressive for under $50. Black Frost represents a new wave of craft distilling from Minnesota.
Co-founded by a 6th generation brewmaster and a 6th generation farmer, Black Frost focuses on terroir—using grains grown on the co-founder’s family farm and aging exclusively in Minnesota-grown oak barrels. This creates a true expression of northern terroir-influenced whiskey that sets it apart from Kentucky counterparts.
Click here to read the detailed review.
3. Penelope Four Grain Bourbon
Price: $40
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP)
Why It Makes Our List: Balanced sweetness and gentle spice make this a polished four-grain bourbon. Penelope’s unique blend of corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley creates a remarkably smooth and flavorful experience perfect for sipping or cocktails.
Named after the founder’s daughter, Penelope Bourbon has quickly become a favorite among those who appreciate innovative approaches to bourbon making. The four-grain mash bill, sourced from MGP’s historic Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery, delivers complexity while remaining approachable.
4. Four Roses Single Barrel
Price: $50
Distillery: Four Roses Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: This bourbon is a great sipper and mixer. The single barrel production ensures a unique and high-quality product.
Four Roses Single Barrel is well-balanced, smooth, and sweet, making it perfect for sipping or crafting an incredible old fashioned.
While it continues the mellow profile of the Four Roses lineup, it adds complexity with a slightly higher proof—about 10 points more than other Four Roses offerings. Though some Bourbon Inspector Insiders find it slightly overrated, considering it too mellow and sweet, it’s one of the best bottles for those who enjoy an easy drinker with added character.
If you’re into high-proof or rye-forward bourbons, though, you might find it a bit too light.
5. Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon
Price: $45
Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Why It Makes Our List: Sweet-mash fermentation produces a bright, expressive bourbon with notes of honey, caramel, and warm spice. A rising star with a beautiful flavor profile that showcases Indiana craft distilling at its finest.
Unlike sour mash (which reuses a portion of each previous batch), sweet mash uses entirely fresh ingredients for each batch, allowing the complexity and pleasant flavors from the grains to shine. Hard Truth sources most of its corn and wheat from local Indiana family farmers.
Based in Brown County, Indiana, Hard Truth operates a 325-acre destination distillery that produces everything grain-to-glass on site. Their commitment to quality and local sourcing results in a bourbon that’s both authentic and delicious.
Click here to read the detailed review.
6. Buzzard’s Roost Signature Double Oak Bourbon
Price: $50
Distillery: Buzzard’s Roost Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: Double-oaked brings layered sweetness, toasted spice, and rich character. A distinctive bourbon with impressive polish. Buzzard’s Roost has quickly made a name for itself with its innovative approach to secondary barrel maturation.
The distillery uses 17 proprietary barrel profiles with 18-month-seasoned oak barrels and low-char/high-toast techniques to coax multiple layers of flavor from each barrel. This results in bourbon and rye whiskeys that taste unlike anything else on the market.
Located on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row, Buzzard’s Roost is a woman-led company that opened its tasting room in 2023. Their unique approach to secondary maturation has earned them numerous awards and a loyal following.
Click here to read the detailed review.
7. Old Forester 1910
Price: $50
Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co.
Why It Makes Our List: Double-barreled richness defines 1910—dark chocolate, caramelized sugars, and silkiness lead the way. One of the most decadent profiles in the category and a testament to Brown-Forman’s barrel expertise.
Part of Old Forester’s Whiskey Row Series, the 1910 expression honors a historic accident where a fire caused barrels to be re-barreled, creating an unexpectedly delicious profile. Today, this double-barreled process is intentional, giving the bourbon its signature smoothness.
At 93 proof, it’s approachable yet flavorful enough to stand up to ice or cocktails. The dessert-forward profile makes it perfect for after-dinner sipping.
8. Blackhat Whiskey
Price: $48
Distillery: Blackhat Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: A flavorful and well-balanced bourbon with rich caramel, toasted oak, and a fuller profile than expected. Fresh, modern, and competitive in this price range.
Blackhat Distillery, located in Colorado Springs, uses pristine Rocky Mountain water to ensure a smooth, high-quality base for their spirits. This imparts a unique purity and clarity to each bottle that sets it apart from traditional bourbon regions.
The name Blackhat symbolizes innovation, rebellion, and influence—worn by those who push boundaries. This distillery embodies that spirit with their commitment to quality ingredients and meticulous distillation process.
Click here to read the detailed review.
9. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon
Price: $45
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: This bourbon is great for sipping and offers a smooth, satisfying finish. The 10-year aging process adds depth and complexity to its flavor profile. It’s a testament to the distillery’s expertise and commitment to quality.
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year is a solid value for around $45. While it doesn’t make the “best cheap bourbons” list, it stands out as a more dynamic, easier-to-sip version of Wild Turkey 101. It has just enough bite but allows you to appreciate the other flavors, thanks to its 10-year aging. You’ll notice the pronounced oak and rye-forward notes, adding dimension to the tasting experience.
Click here to read the detailed review.
10. Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Price: $40
Distillery: Holladay Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: Soft red wheat brings gentle sweetness, clean grain character, and a balanced finish. Impressive quality from a historic Missouri distillery that dates back to 1856.
The Holladay Distillery is the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi still operating on its original site. Located in Weston, Missouri, on active limestone springs first charted by Lewis and Clark in 1804, this distillery produces authentic Missouri bourbon using Missouri corn and Missouri-made barrels.
Holladay Soft Red Wheat is one of the very few bottled-in-bond wheated bourbons on the market aged 6+ years. Using wheat instead of rye in the mash bill creates a softer and sweeter taste profile that wheat bourbon lovers will appreciate.
Click here to read the detailed review.
11. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Price: $50
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: Toasted barrel finishing enhances caramel, vanilla, and warm oak. A dessert-leaning profile that showcases Heaven Hill’s expertise with barrel finishing techniques.
The toasted barrel finishing process adds a unique and complex character to its taste. After initial aging in traditional charred barrels, the bourbon is transferred to new toasted barrels, adding layers of flavor without the additional char notes.
Its smooth finish and rich taste make it a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts who enjoy sweeter, more dessert-forward profiles.
Click here to read the detailed review.
12. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Price:$40
Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: A rounded bourbon showcasing vanilla, toasted oak, citrus, and subtle spice. A highly versatile bottle known for its balanced flavor profile.
Woodford Reserve is versatile enough for both sipping and cocktails. The distillery’s historic roots and meticulous production process add to its appeal. It’s a reliable choice that has earned its place as a go-to bourbon for many enthusiasts.
The combination of copper pot and column distillation creates a full-bodied bourbon with exceptional depth. Whether you’re new to bourbon or a seasoned sipper, Woodford Reserve delivers consistent quality.
13. Maker’s Mark 46
Price: $40
Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: An excellent sipper. The unique stave finishing process adds depth and complexity to its taste. Its smooth finish and rich character make it a standout choice.
Maker’s Mark 46 takes the standard Maker’s wheated mashbill and elevates it through a unique finishing process with seared French Oak staves. This aging twist adds extra complexity, creating a fantastic bourbon at a fantastic price. It’s a versatile option, perfect for sipping neat or making great old fashioneds.
If you enjoy wheated bourbons with more character at a lower proof, this is a solid choice. However, if you prefer rye-forward bourbons like Wild Turkey, Maker’s 46 might not be your favorite.
Click here to read the detailed review.
14. Bardstown Origin Series High-Rye Bourbon
Price: $50
Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Why It Makes Our List: A well done high-rye bourbon with crisp spice, caramel sweetness, and oak. Bardstown shows its distilling “chops” here with their first 100% estate-distilled bourbon release.
The Origin Series represents Bardstown Bourbon Company’s first bottles made entirely from their own distillate—after years of patience, waiting six years until they felt it was truly ready. With a 36% high-rye mash bill, this showcases the best of classic bourbon with a burst of rye spice.
Bardstown is known for transparency in an industry often cloaked in secrecy. Every bottle clearly displays the mashbill, blend ratios, and source of the distillate.
15. Bardstown Origin Series Wheated Bourbon
Price: $50
Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Why It Makes Our List: A softer counterpart to the High-Rye—vanilla creaminess, sweet grain, and gentle oak. A well-assembled wheated expression that showcases Bardstown’s versatility.
This bottled-in-bond wheated bourbon features a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, using locally-sourced Kentucky grains. Distilled, aged, and bottled entirely on-site, it represents authentic Kentucky craftsmanship.
The high wheat content adds a round, soft texture to this modern Kentucky classic. At under $50, it offers incredible value compared to allocated wheated bourbons that often sell for much more.
16. Blue Note Crossroads Bourbon (Toasted French Oak)
Price: $45
Distillery: B.R. Distilling Company
Why It Makes Our List: Toasted French oak brings chocolate, warm spice, and added complexity to the Blue Note base bourbon. Sweet, rich, and pleasant—a step up from their flagship Juke Joint expression.
Blue Note is produced by B.R. Distilling Company in Memphis, Tennessee, sourcing their bourbon from Green River Distilling in Kentucky. The Crossroads expression takes that solid base and finishes it in toasted French oak barrels for additional depth.
The result is a bourbon with layers of caramel, vanilla, and oak that French barrels are known for, combined with the warm spice notes from the Kentucky-distilled base. It’s an excellent example of how finishing can elevate already good bourbon.
Click here to read the detailed review.
17. Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Batch 1
Price: $40
Distillery: Green River Distilling Co.
Why It Makes Our List: A barrel strength bourbon with sweet oak, spice, and an air of “energy” about it. High value and strong character from one of Kentucky’s oldest distillery sites.
Wheel Horse is crafted at the historic Green River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky—founded in 1885 and the 10th permitted distillery to open in the state. The Barrel Master Select series represents their first foray into barrel proof small batch whiskey.
Since debuting in 2020, Wheel Horse’s flagship bourbon has received high acclaim, including a spot in Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2021. All whiskeys are bottled at a minimum of 101 proof without chill filtration, preserving the true flavor of the spirit.
Click here to read the detailed review.
18. Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve
Price: $40
Distillery: Cooper’s Craft
Why It Makes Our List: Barrel expertise shines—caramel, toasted spice, and well-rounded oak lead the profile. A dependable under-$50 bottle from the only major distiller to own its own new barrel cooperage.
Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve is aged in unique chiseled and charred American White Oak barrels that allow the whiskey to interact more deeply with the wood. This creates a robust and complex bourbon bottled at 100 proof.
Brown-Forman has owned their cooperage since 1945, giving them unparalleled knowledge of how to work with wood to create excellent bourbons. Cooper’s Craft is a celebration of barrel-making and a recognition of the importance of wood in crafting great bourbon.
19. Union Horse Distilling Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Price: $45
Distillery: Union Horse Distilling Co.
Why It Makes Our List: Warm spice and oak in a Bottled-in-Bond release. Distinctively midwestern roots from Kansas City’s premier craft distillery.
Union Horse Distilling Company is a family-owned and operated distillery established in 2010 in Lenexa, Kansas. They produce everything grain-to-glass, using locally sourced grains and a 500-gallon copper pot still affectionately named “Chester Copperpot.”
Their Bottled-in-Bond bourbon features a sour mash recipe of corn and rye, aged for at least four years in Missouri Oak barrels. The result is flavors of butterscotch, vanilla, cinnamon spice, and dark fruit—a testament to quality Midwestern craft distilling.
20. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Price: $50
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: The distillery’s long history and commitment to quality make it a solid choice. If you appreciate a strong, flavorful bourbon give this one a try.
While it shares the familiar rye-forward mashbill of Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve bourbons, Rare Breed delivers a rich and deep flavor with notes of caramel, orange, leather, and a touch of sweet tobacco.
Though it’s spicy and bold, it’s well-balanced and one of the best bourbons under $50. Be aware that in some markets, the price may reach up to $60, but it’s still worth the try for anyone who enjoys a robust pour.
Click here to read the detailed review.
21. Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch
Price: $50
Distillery: Wyoming Whiskey Distillery
Why It Made Our List: A wheat-heavy mashbill produces vanilla, toffee, and warm grain notes with a soft sweetness that sets it apart from Kentucky profiles. A rewarding pour at a fair price.
Wyoming Whiskey represents the growing quality of craft distilleries outside the traditional bourbon heartland. Using locally sourced ingredients from within 100 miles of their distillery in Kirby, Wyoming, and high-altitude aging conditions in the Big Horn Basin, they’ve created a distinctive bourbon that offers something genuinely different from the Kentucky competition.
Founded in 2006, Wyoming Whiskey was the first legal distillery in the state. Their Small Batch is aged a minimum of 5 years and bottled at 88 proof (44% ABV)—a nod to Wyoming being the 44th state admitted to the Union.
Honorable Mentions
The following bourbons were previously on our list and remain excellent choices in the under $50:
22. Rowan’s Creek Bourbon
Price: $47
Distillery: Willett Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: Rowan’s Creek is known for its rich complex flavors. It’s a good sipping bourbon, offering a smooth and satisfying finish. The small-batch production ensures a high-quality product with unique character.
23. Old Ezra 7 Year
Price: $40
Distillery: Lux Row Distillers
Why It Makes Our List: This bourbon is an excellent sipper. The 7-year aging process makes it a good choice for those who enjoy a well-rounded bourbon.
24. Wilderness Trail Small Batch
Price: $45
Distillery: Wilderness Trail Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: This bourbon’s smooth finish and rich taste make it a standout choice for cocktails.
25. Belle Meade Bourbon
Price: $45
Distillery: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: Belle Meade offers a complex flavor profile making it excellent for sipping and cocktails. The distillery’s dedication to quality are evident in every bottle. Its unique character and smooth finish make it a favorite among many bourbon lovers.
Belle Meade Bourbon is known for being approachable and extremely smooth, with a flavor profile that some compare to holiday pies. Liquor store owners often call it one of the most underrated bourbons available.
While Belle Meade Reserve (which is priced above $50) gets even more recognition, the standard Belle Meade at $45 is exceptional for its price.
26. Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Price: $49
Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co.
Why It Makes Our List: The high proof adds intensity and depth to its taste. The distillery’s long history and commitment to quality make it a reliable choice. It’s a go-to among those who appreciate a strong, flavorful bourbon.
Click here to read the detailed review.
27. Henry McKenna Single Barrel
Price: $45
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
Why It Makes Our List: The single barrel production ensures a unique and high-quality product. Its smooth finish and complex taste make it a standout choice.
28. Woodinville Straight Bourbon
Price: $40
Distillery: Woodinville Whiskey Co.
Why It Makes Our List: The distillery’s focus on quality ingredients and traditional methods results in a consistently good product. Its smooth finish and rich taste make it a solid choice.
29. Jefferson’s Reserve Very Small Batch
Price: $45
Distillery: Jefferson’s Bourbon
Why It Makes Our List: The small batch production helps to provide a unique and high-quality product. Its smooth finish and complex taste make it a solid choice.
30. New Riff Bottled in Bond
Price: $45
Distillery: New Riff Distilling
Why It Makes Our List: The bottled-in-bond production and aging provides a quality product. The robust character might be a bit much for those new to bourbon sipping. Solid mixer.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Any of These Under $50 Bourbons
If you try any of these bourbons or have questions, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a note at mike@bourboninspector.com. Your feedback helps us improve our recommendations!
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.