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 100s of different bourbons for over nearly 4 years, and we’ve tasted just about everything worth tasting in the $50 and under 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 your $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 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 Bourbon Under $50 in 2024…
It was a hard decision, but it’s Maker’s 46.
For just about $40, you get a rich, sweet, crowd-pleasing bourbon that tastes older than it is.
And I’ll tell you more about it below.
The Best Bourbons Under $50: 19 of the Best Mid-Range Bourbons in 2024
- Maker’s 46
- Knob Creek Single Barrel
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed
- Four Roses Single Barrel
- Chattanooga Whiskey 111
- 1792 Single Barrel
- Eagle Rare
- Belle Meade
- New Riff
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
- Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
- Blue Note Juke Joint
- 1792 Small Batch
- Buffalo Trace
- Penelope
- Four Roses Small Batch
- Michter’s Small Batch
Best Sipping, Tasting, & Cheap Bourbons Under $50
Best Sipping Bourbons Under $50
- Knob Creek Single Barrel
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Best Cheap Bourbons Under $50
- Early Times Bottled-in-Bond (~$25 for 1L)
- Blue Note Juke Joint ($30)
- 1792 Small Batch ($30)
Best Tasting Bourbons Under $50
- Maker’s 46
- Knob Creek Single Barrel
- Chattanooga Whiskey 111
Top Rated Bourbons Under $50
1. Maker’s 46
Price: ~$40
Proof: 94
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, cinnamon
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Review Summary: This unique twist on Maker’s Mark is aged longer and finished with seared French Oak staves (for a few months). That means it’s the standard Maker’s wheated mashbill we’ve come to know and love but with extra complexity.
This unique finishing process creates a fantastic bourbon at a fantastic price. This is perfect for you if you like wheated bourbons, but want one with character at a lower proof.
It’s a versatile bourbon that can be sipped neat or used to make great old fashioneds. It’s almost always my #1 recommendation to people looking for a mid-range bottle.
That being said, if you happen to like more rye-forward bourbons like Wild Turkey, you probably won’t love Maker’s 46.
Click here to read the detailed review.
2. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Price: ~$50
Proof: 120
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar
Distillery: Jim Beam
Review Summary: Knob Creek Single Barrel is absolutely phenomenal. It was very difficult not to rank it #1. Basically every Knob Creek is a homerun in its category because they’re all high-quality, great tasting, and have tons of character. For this particular bottle, imagine a sweet bourbon like Maker’s Mark but at a higher proof with a lot more character and heavier brown sugar / maple syrup notes.
It’s less harsh than you’d imagine for a 120-proof bourbon, but it has some significant heat that you need to be ready for. You definitely need to be ready for it.
That’s why this one isn’t for everyone. Even some bourbon aficionados shy away from its heat.
That being said, the power fades away and moves into a rich and sweet bourbon with an exceptional, traditional flavor profile. It’s easily one of my favorite bottles of all time and an absolute steal for $50. It gets a rare platinum medal from me.
Click here to read the detailed review.
3. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Price: ~$50
Proof: 112.8
Tasting Notes: Spice, sweet tobacco, orange, mint
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Review Summary: To me, Wild Turkey 101 is a bit of a flop. It never has ranked well in my best under $30 list. But Rare Breed is a completely different story. This has the familiar rye-forward mashbill present in all Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve bourbons, but it is much more balanced.
I tend to like wheated bourbons over rye-forward ones, but this is a fantastic bottle. It has deep and rich caramel notes with orange, leather, and a pleasant hint of sweet tobacco to round it out.
Like Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, this isn’t for the feint of heart. It’s a spicy one. But it’s really balanced and is easily one of the best bourbons under $50.
(Important note: the price tends to extend up to $60 in some markets.)
Click here to read the detailed review.
4. Four Roses Single Barrel
Price: ~$40
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, spice, pear, maple syrup
Distillery: Four Roses
Review Summary: Four Roses is a well-balanced, smooth, and sweet bourbon that makes incredible old fashioned. The single barrel expression continues the mellow profile you can expect from Four Roses bourbon but has added complexity to the palate. The extra character comes from the slightly higher proof by about 10 points compared to most bourbons in the Four Roses lineup.
Bourbon Inspector Insiders tend to think Four Roses is slightly overrated, which is fair. It’s far too mellow and sweet for some. So, if you’re really into high-proof or rye-forward bourbon, you may think it’s too light for you.
But this is one of the best bottles you can buy if you like an easy drinker with some character.
Detailed review coming soon.
5. Chattanooga Whiskey 111
Price: ~$45
Proof: 111
Tasting Notes: Caramel, butterscotch, honey
Distillery: Chattanooga Riverfront Distillery
Review Summary: This is a great bourbon that tastes much older than it is and is the only malt whiskey on this list. I’m a HUGE fan of Chattanooga Whiskey and haven’t had an expression I didn’t love.
It’s on the sweet side, is rich and full-bodied, and is arguably the most unique tasting bourbon on this list. The malt-forward mashbill creates butterscotch and brown sugar notes that make this one stand out from all the others on this list.
Those sweet flavors aren’t as overpowering as they are in the lower-proof Chattanooga Whiskey 91 bottle either. The extra proof gives this one more balance and character, helping it stand up against just about any bottle on this list.
So, if a sweet, complex, and butterscotch-forward bourbon sounds interesting, Chattanooga Whiskey 111 is perfect for you.
Click here to read the detailed review.
6. 1792 Single Barrel
Price: ~$50
Proof: 125
Tasting Notes: Sweet corn, vanilla, cinnamon
Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery
Review Summary: This bourbon has some serious heat (especially during the finish) but not as much as the proof would suggest…and certainly less than Knob Creek Single Barrel or Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
In essence, it’s a slightly more complex and higher proof version of the beloved 1792 Small Batch. I thoroughly enjoyed the bottle I got. It had some very pronounced banana notes which I’ve only really noticed in Larceny bottles before (other bottles tend to just have a slight hint).
There will be variance in flavors due to it being a single barrel, but I would highly recommend grabbing this whenever you see it. I actually like it much better than 1792 Full Proof.
Click here to read the detailed review.
7. Eagle Rare
Price: ~$50
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Oak, leather, vanilla, licorice, banana
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Review Summary: Here we have our first allocated bourbon from Buffalo Trace on the list. Some people have Eagle Rare in their top 3 under $50, but you simply can’t convince me it deserves that.
Without even taking into account that the price continues to soar (some gougers charge $60-$75), it really can’t even stand toe-to-toe with Maker’s 46 or Knob Creek Single Barrel. It’s a bit on the lighter side and doesn’t have much character at all.
I will say, it’s definitely better than Buffalo Trace and has a touch more character, but it’s certainly not worth over $50. It has some licorice and slight banana notes, in addition to the traditional caramel and vanilla notes that provide a pleasant and easy-drinking experience.
I think it earned its spot on this list and is worth a try at $50, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get more bottles. Grabbing 2 bottles over the last 4 years was plenty for me to get my fill.
Click here to read the detailed review.
8. Belle Meade
Price: ~$45
Proof: 90.4
Tasting Notes: Citrus, vanilla, allspice, pepper
Distillery: MGP
Review Summary: This is a very approachable and extremely smooth bourbon. The flavor profile is often compared to holiday pies.
Liquor store owners often tell me this is one of the most underrated bourbons out there.
And Belle Meade Reserve (which is higher than the $50 price point) is exceptional.
Detailed review coming soon.
9. New Riff
Price: ~$45
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, caramel, baking spice
Distillery: New Riff Distilling
Review Summary: New Riff is a well-rounded bourbon for the price. It’s pretty traditional in terms of flavor profile and doesn’t try to be anything other than a quality single barrel bottle for under $50.
You can pretty much guarantee when you buy a bottle you’ll get an easy-to-drink, high-quality pour that’s heavy on the vanilla and caramel.
It’s lower on this list mainly because a lot of the single barrels above are notably better. I personally don’t think it’s all that special, but many bourbon drinkers swear by New Riff.
That being said, this is a consistent and quality pour you won’t be disappointed with.
Click here to read the detailed review.
10. Russell’s Reserve 10-Year
Price: ~$45
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Rye, caramel, oak
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Review Summary: Russell’s Reserve 10-Year is one of those bottles that provides a really good value. It’s not quite cheap enough at $40 to make our “best cheap bourbons” list, but it would definitely be 4th.
This bourbon is like a better Wild Turkey 101 that’s more dynamic and easier to sip. It has a little bite but you’re actually able to enjoy a lot of the other flavors it has to offer (when compared to WT101). It has just enough character to add some dimension to the tasting experience and you can definitely tell it was aged 10 years because of the pronounced notes.
It still leaves a little to be desired in terms of character, though, especially if you really like something like a Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. It’s just a touch watery.
But, if you want a cheaper bottle that’s still rye-forward and has nice character for the $40 range due to its 10 years in the barrel, this is a great buy.
Click here to read the detailed review.
11. Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Price: ~$45
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Fruit, caramel, vanilla
Distillery: Brown-Forman Shively Distillery
Review Summary: Old Forester is a reliable brand and this vanilla and fruit-forward expression is a great sipper. The vanilla actually really caught me off guard because the nose is so caramel-heavy. But the vanilla mixed with dark fruit which comes in partway through the sip gives a really nice experience. It’s another easy-sipper which doesn’t always happen once you cross over the 100-proof threshold.
1897 BIB has some spice to make things interesting (but not too much) and also has an incredible finish that’s long, sweet, and balanced. It doesn’t do enough for me to make my top 3, but you really can’t go wrong with any bottles from Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series.
Click here to read the detailed review.
12. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Price: ~$50
Proof: 113.2
Tasting Notes: Caramel, dark fruit, nuts
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Review Summary: Sometimes can be a bit over $50 on the shelf (around $60), but Maker’s Cask Strength is a bottle you can never go wrong with. It finds a great balance between sweet and spicy (which is something most cask strength bourbons struggle with). A cask strength wheated bourbon isn’t so easy to come by these days.
Detailed review coming soon.
13. Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
Price: ~$25 (1 Liter)
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Caramel, vanilla, and light spice
Distillery: Brown-Forman Distillery
Review Summary: This is the best value in bourbon. You can’t get better than $25 for 1L. And it has a rich flavor profile you don’t expect from a budget bourbon and is very easy to drink. It has more character than you’d imagine with deep caramel and vanilla notes with some added spice. It can stand toe-to-toe in my opinion with Buffalo Trace.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the best bourbon you’ll ever have. But…it’s the best under $30 from a value standpoint. And it’s just a solid all-around bourbon. This is a great, versatile bourbon to keep in your home bar.
Click here to read the detailed review.
14. Blue Note Juke Joint
Price: $30
Proof: 93
Tasting Notes: Caramel, cinnamon, oak
Distillery: B.R. Distilling Company
Review Summary: Blue Note is my dark horse pick for one of the best budget bottles you can buy. It’s a well-balanced, rich pour from Memphis that’s gaining quite a bit of traction in the Southern United States.
When compared to similar bourbons in its category like Buffalo Trace, it’s much better and also not allocated. While having the traditional caramel and vanilla notes, it also has a cinnamon pop that adds a great dynamic throughout the entire pour. The nose actually has notes of cinnamon bread, which many bourbons can’t say.
This one actually got several votes from our Bourbon Inspector Insiders on one of the favorite budget pours under $50.
And I can fully support that because it’s a really good bottle for $30.
Click here to read the detailed review.
15. 1792 Small Batch
Price: ~$30
Proof: 93.7
Tasting Notes: Bold rye spice, dark fruit, sweet caramel
Distillery: The Barton 1792 Distillery
Review Summary: 1792 tastes much older than it really is (in a great way) and has incredible sweetness and character for a $30 bourbon. It has a higher-than-normal rye percentage in its mashbill (at least compared to others on this list), but it does a great job of keeping the spice under control.
1792 balances the flavor of the rye with the sweetness of the corn to make for a rich, semi-bold, and sweet pour that can compete with any bottle under $30.
This is one of the highest rated bourbons from our Insiders and its easy to see why.
Click here to read the detailed review.
16. Buffalo Trace
Price: ~$30
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Pleasantly sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit, and anise
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Review Summary: Buffalo Trace is really popular for a reason–it’s good stuff. It’s easily one of the easiest sippers on this list and has a traditional profile of caramel and vanilla with a hint of spice and brown sugar.
But it’s also very watery especially compared to this list. If you’re used to higher-proof bourbons, you’re going to find this even too easy to drink.
Another thing to note is Buffalo Trace is constantly going up in price (as are all Buffalo Trace’s allocated bottles). This is mainly because everyone wants their stuff so bad that it’s hard to find. So, please, don’t pay more than $30 for a bottle. Some people are charging $50 and that’s totally ridiculous.
Click here to read the detailed review.
17. Penelope
Price: ~$40
Proof: 80
Tasting Notes: Light vanilla, oak, rye spice
Distillery: Castle & Key
Review Summary: This is sourced from MGP, then blended and bottled at Castle & Key. It’s a great bourbon for beginners who haven’t acquired a taste for the spirit yet. It’s sweet and light with hints of apple and vanilla. At $40, it’s a great value because of its approachability.
It comes in at #17 on this list, though, because its low proof and generally low character. It’s comparable to Buffalo Trace but just more pricey. That being said, it has some nice apple notes that make it taste like a better Old Forester 100 and is a really easy sipper.
This is a great pick for a cheaper, light sipper that can be used in cocktails.
Click here to read the detailed review.
18. Four Roses Small Batch
Price: ~$35
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Fruit, caramel, rye spice
Distillery: Four Roses
Review Summary: This bourbon is incredibly smooth and well-balanced. It makes an exceptional old fashioned and is aged 6-7 years (more than most bourbons on this list).
Its mellow profile makes it one of the sweetest and most mellow bourbons on this entire list. That may turn away some, but I think Four Roses keep the sweetness decently in check. It’s certainly sweeter than Four Roses Single Barrel, though, which is something to keep in mind.
But if you’re a rye fan, you’ll probably want to stay away from this. I’ve had many Insiders tell me that pretty much any Four Roses bottle is too sweet for them.
Click here to read the detailed review.
19. Michter’s Small Batch
Price: ~$50
Proof: 91.4
Tasting Notes: Sweet vanilla and honey
Distillery: Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Review Summary: Many swear by their Michter’s, but I think it’s really overhyped. Sure, it’s a solid pour, but for $50 you can buy some more easily findable cask strength or single barrel bottles.
It’s just okay all around. It has some honey notes which are somewhat unique but other than that it’s very average. It’s light and doesn’t have much character.
Most people swear by it and are big fans, but it’s honestly just ok. It’s barely good enough to make this list.
Click here to read the detailed review.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Any of These $50 Bourbons
At $50, you want to make sure you’re getting a quality bourbon.
That price-point isn’t chump change.
But while we ranked these bourbons based on our reviews, any of them would make a great purchase.
And you can always keep trying ones on this list. 🙂
As a reminder, here are our rankings:
- Best Overall – Maker’s 46
- Best Sipping – Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
- Best Cheap – Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
- Best Tasting – Maker’s 46
Enjoy and drink responsibly!
And if you’re looking for more rankings, be sure to check out our best under $30 and best under $100 lists.
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.