Few things say, “I’m a baller,” more than owning expensive bourbon. Especially if it’s also rare bourbon.
It’s the status symbol of all status symbols.
Okay, fine, that’s a bit of an exaggeration but you know what I mean.
Just imagine someone walking into your house and seeing a beautiful Pappy on your cabinet in all its glory.
That alone could be worth the few grand one of those bad boys cost.
I’m here to help you become a bourbon baller.
This article will give you a comprehensive list of the most expensive and rare bourbons in the world and what you need to know about them.
Soon, you’ll be meeting Pappy Van Winkle face-to-face.
14 Expensive and Very Rare Bourbons You Gotta Try Once (in No Particular Order)
1. Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Family Reserve
Average Price: ~$1,900
Tasting Notes: Intense caramel, toffee, and peppery brown spice
Being one of the most expensive and sought-after lines from Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle is named after the famous distiller, Julian P. Van Winkle Sr. The 15-year expression comes in at 107 proof and is crafted according to the Van Winkle family’s wheated recipe.
2. Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Family Reserve
Average Price: ~$2,400
Tasting Notes: Complex and full-bodied with notes of citrus, sherry, dried fruit, vanilla, tobacco, and coffee
The 20-year expression comes in at 90.4 proof and is full of character (just like Pappy was). It was rated the #1 bourbon whiskey in the world with a 99/100 by the World Spirits Championship.
3. Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Family Reserve
Average Price: ~$4,900
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, maple, honey, citrus, and spice
The 23-year expression comes in at 95.6 proof and is aged in barrels carefully selected from the heard of the warehouse for an additional 3 years of aging.
4. Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year
Average Price: ~$29,000
Tasting Notes: Oak, caramel, vanilla
This is the one Pappy to rule them all with only 710 bottles made. It comes in at 100 proof and neither of us is very likely to ever get a chance to try this one.
5. Double Eagle Very Rare 20 Year
Average Price: ~$12,000
Tasting Notes: Balanced with hints of vanilla, toasted oak, and caramel
This Buffalo Trace line (surprise) is aged 2x longer than normal Eagle Rare. Only 199 bottles were made and each comes with a numbered letter of authenticity.
6. A.H. Hirsch Reseve 16 Year
Average Price: ~$4,700
Tasting Notes: Toffee, vanilla, smoky dry oak
This bourbon is so legendary that it has a book written about it called The Best Bourbon You’ll Never Taste by Charles K. Cowdrey. It’s considered to be one of the best bourbons in existence.
7. Michter’s 25 Year Single Barrel
Average Price: ~$6,800
Tasting Notes: Molasses, holiday spice, chocolate, smoke-roasted nuts, dried fruit, melted butter, and vanilla
This limited release from the beloved Micther’s brand clocks in at 116.2 proof and is said to be the best bourbon they’ve ever made.
8. Colonel E.H. Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash
Average Price: ~$25,000
Tasting Notes: Light with hints of honey and bread
According to the Buffalo Trace site, this bourbon was born during a gathering of Distellery retirees where they recounted the method for making “Old Fashioned Sour Mash” whiskey—a process E.H. Taylor Jr. was well-known for during the late 1800s.
9. Buffalo Trace O.F.C Vintages
Average Price: $6,000+
The Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned Copper expressions are limited edition bourbons dated according to the specific year in which the bourbon was distilled. These come in a wooden box with copper lettering and milestones of each year on the back of the bottle.
10. Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving
Average Price: ~$12,000
Tasting Notes: Fruit, vanilla, and a touch of smoke
According to the Buffalo Trace site, there was a severe storm with tornado strength winds on the evening of April 2, 2006. Warehouse C sustained significant damage to its roof and north brick wall, exposing a group of aging bourbon barrels to the elements. The elements created a bourbon rich in flavor.
11. The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace
Average Price: ~$16,500
Tasting Notes: Figs, dates, cherries, wood, leather, tobacco, toffee, plums, raisins, walnuts, and butterscotch
According to an article from The Bourbon Review, there were only 240 bottles made of this bourbon that was distilled in 1980. It was aged for 20 years at Buffalo Trace, then was vatted into stainless steel tanks where it rested for an additional 20 years before being bottled at 90 proof.
12. Old Fitzgerald Very Old 8 Year
Average Price: ~$4,800
Tasting Notes: Fruit, spice, caramel, oak, and vanilla
This bourbon was distilled in the 1950s by The Stitzel-Weller distillery and bottled in the 1960s. It’s among the oldest bourbons on the market and is incredibly difficult to find.
13. Parker’s Heritage Collection 2nd Edition 27 Year Small Batch
Average Price: ~$4,400
Tasting Notes: Well balanced and mellow with notes of toffee, raisin, cinnamon, and vanilla
This collection from Heaven Hill Distillery was started by the late master distiller Parker Beam in 2007. The 27-year expression is the oldest and often one of the hardest to find.
14. John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 Year
Average Price: ~$6,700
Tasting Notes: Cocoa and vanilla
According to The Whiskey Jug, John E, Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve “is a Heaven Hill special release made from 12 barrels of Stitzel Weller distilled whiskey.”
Which of These Rare and Expensive Bourbons Will You Try First?
If you ever want to purchase any of these bourbons, you’ll likely have to scour the secondary market or have an in with a liquor store owner with a great bourbon selection.
Oftentimes, if you just want to try one, it’s easier to visit a bourbon bar and pay a premium for an ounce.
These will be some of the most expensive ounces of bourbon you’ll ever try, but they’ll still be just a fraction of the crazy prices for the full bottle!
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.