Cheap bourbon isn’t glamorous. The labels don’t tout special barrel finishes or unique age statements. The bottles won’t sit on the back of your home bar gathering the dust that will only be wiped off when a special occasion compels you to do so.
A reliable bottle of cheap bourbon makes up for these perceived deficiencies in numerous ways. It can provide the backbone for an Old Fashioned, a Boulevardier, or any bourbon cocktail that tickles your fancy. It can become the juice you reach for for a nighttime tipple before heading off to bed. It can also be an easy bottle to share with friends during a casual gathering. At a time when the phrase “in this economy?” can be said unironically, having a solid, cost-effective bourbon at the ready feels more important than ever.
Because of their price tags, cheap bourbons don’t always get the love they should compared to the Pappys and Wellers of the world. As such, there are plenty of wallet-friendly labels that coast under the radar as underrated gems. But which ones in this unique category deserve a little more attention? We asked 13 bartenders to find out. Here’s what they had to say.
The most underrated cheap bourbon, according to bartenders:
- Four Roses Yellow Label
- Old Bardstown 90 Proof
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded
- Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Woodford Reserve Wheated Bourbon
- Great Jones Bourbon
- Wild Turkey 101
- Basil Hayden
- Michter’s US*1 Bourbon
- Old Grand-Dad 114
- Brother’s Bond
- Old Forester 100
- Knob Creek 9-Year-Old Small Batch
“I think my favorite value bourbon is Four Roses Yellow Label. You can find it for about $30 at your nearest liquor store. It’s spicy, has that astringent mid-palate you’re looking for, and a lovely dried fruit finish. It’s not overproof, but has enough character to make it a solid choice for cocktailing, and a shot of it goes wonderfully with your favorite beer.” —Lucky Preksto, bar director, Bufón, New York City
“Old Bardstown 90 Proof. Produced by the Willett Distillery, and made from their own distillate — in other words, not sourced — for the last decade or so. This bottle delivers Willett quality at a wallet-friendly price. We keep it in the well at both of our venues, and it’s great in classic whiskey cocktails. It’s a great bottle to feature, especially if you’re building out a bar program that leans heavily on independent producers.” —Scott Stroemer, beverage director, Galit and Cafe Yaya, Chicago
“The best underrated bourbon under $35 is Old Grand-Dad Bonded. It has the proof, it has the age, it has the history. Having a high-rye mash bill means it is spicy enough to be seen in a cocktail, while the corn provides the delicate kiss needed for sipping neat. More importantly; it makes me feel good and nostalgic. This [label] was enjoyed by many others before me; knowing that I share a connection with someone long ago, whom I have never met, makes it all the better.” —Zack Atzert, head bartender, The Fountain Inn, Washington, D.C.
“Without a doubt, the best affordable daily bourbon to me is Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It’s handsome enough to proudly display on the counter, smooth enough to sip neat, and robust enough to stand up in a classic cocktail. Although some might argue about it being a cheap bourbon, you can still find Woodford for around $30 at one of the big box liquor stores. If you want an underrated variation on this classic, you can always try the Woodford Reserve Wheated Bourbon.” —Timofei Osipenko, bar director, Bar Iris, San Francisco
“One of my favorite parts of being in hospitality is introducing someone to something they weren’t expecting to love. Great Jones is one of those bottles for me. Smooth, rich, and just a little spicy, with vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, it’s dangerously easy to like. If you’re a bourbon lover, you’ll appreciate it. If you think you’re not a bourbon person? That’s even better — let me pour you one and see what you think. And I love that it’s a New York bourbon — sipping it here at our bar surrounded by Hudson County history just feels right. Skip the hyped bottles and try something unexpected like Great Jones. You might just find your new favorite bourbon.” —Weng Lee, general manager, Halifax and Living Room Bar, Hoboken, N.J.
“Wild Turkey 101. It is usually under $35 and offers a lot of flavor for the price. It has a nice balance of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice, with enough character to enjoy neat or in a cocktail. I especially like it in an Old Fashioned because the higher proof gives the drink more flavor without needing a lot of ingredients. It is also a great option for people who want a quality bourbon without spending too much. It is an easy bottle to keep at home, considering the price.” —Kelly Duong, general manager and mixologist, Kyojin, Washington, D.C.
“For me, this comes in two parts. Old Grand-Dad is the go-to whenever my friends and I go out and want a round of quick and affordable — but potent — shots. Far from subtle, this bourbon delivers a bold, robust character with a punch of spice that practically demands you clear your airway before taking the shot. Its high-rye mash bill stands front and center, coating the palate in a rich, peppery heat that really commands attention. On the flip side, you have Basil Hayden. It’s crafted at the same distillery as Old Grand-Dad and utilizes nearly the same mash bill. Yet a distinct distillation approach produces a far lighter, smoother, and more approachable spirit marked by gentler baking spices infused with sweet vanilla notes. It’s what to reach for when you prefer a smooth, easy-sipping pour to unwind.” —Justin Young, lead bartender, Farm Bar Lakeview, Chicago
“Michter’s US*1 Bourbon offers really good value for the quality of their whiskey. What I appreciate about Michter’s is the attention they give to the production process. The brand traces its history back to a Pennsylvania whiskey operation founded in 1753, and today there is still a strong focus on how the whiskey is made rather than simply on having a fancy label.” —José Maria Dondé Rangel, beverage director, The Bedford and Mexi, NYC
“It’s a toss-up, but I’d go with either Wild Turkey 101 and Old Grand-Dad 114. Both feel like steals for their price point and can usually be found for under $35. Wild Turkey 101 delivers classic bourbon flavors with rich caramel, vanilla, and spice, making it a great pour whether you choose to serve it neat or in cocktails. Old Grand-Dad 114 has a higher-proof punch and a rye-forward profile that gives you tastes of spice, oak, and sweetness that are rare for its price range. These two bottles remain some of the best values in bourbon for bartenders, and it’s hard to beat either one when it comes to quality, consistency, and affordability.” —Tony Rice, director of operations, Il Cervo, Milwaukee
“Four Roses Bourbon has always been my easy choice, starting back in its ‘Yellow Label’ days. Light on the spicy notes with a little citrus and subtle fruit, but still maintaining its structure. It works well in any whiskey-based cocktail but has enough complexity to sip on its own. It is also the go-to at my local bars for cocktails, sips, and celebrations!” —Michael Vollmer, director of beverage and programming, InterContinental San Diego, San Diego
“I would suggest Brother’s Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon. While it was created by actors Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, many people are surprised to discover that this small-batch bourbon is far more than a celebrity-backed label. It delivers a smooth, balanced profile with rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, making it equally enjoyable neat or in a well-crafted cocktail. This is my go-to sipping bourbon; the craftsmanship and quality shine through in every sip, offering an approachable yet complex bourbon experience.” —Amanda Walsh, director of food and beverage, Ma Streeter’s Bourbon Lounge, Chicago
“While I have many favorites in this category behind the bar, I frequently default to Old Forester 100. It has the versatility to be mixed in cocktails and poured as a sipper, which I feel is something few and far between at this price point. Its robust profile and flavor complexity also easily outperforms its modest price tag. It has a distinct brown sugar, caramelized banana quality, and with the spirit sitting at 100 proof, it’s a perfect choice inside of many classic whiskey cocktails. In addition, the spirit rounds out nicely with bold oak and a nutty finish, giving it the ability to be enjoyed neat or over a large cube!” —Tanner Scott, food and beverage director, Skaneateles Fields Resort & Spa, Skaneateles, N.Y.
“Knob Creek 9 Year Old Small Batch gets missed or dismissed by some, but it is a bourbon that should be on everyone’s short list, especially if that list is short on cash. Knob Creek 9 Year is a great bourbon to start a cocktail or a mixed drink. Hailing from the Jim Beam family, you’ll find rich caramel notes, slightly nutty tones and the faintest oak lingering on your palate. Old Fashioneds are a must-try with Knob Creek, and so are Bourbon Manhattans. You can also put this bourbon in a sour and you will not be disappointed, or have a highball for a refreshing after-work treat. Knob Creek 9 Year is 100 proof, so it may not be your first choice as a sipper. But as an aged bourbon, it will definitely add to the rotation on your home back bar. And for under $35, it’s not to be overlooked.” —Andrea Johns, beverage manager, AYLA, Houston
