Bourbon whiskey is a great liquor to sip, mix, or even knock back as a shot. That said, not all bourbon is made equally, and this is especially true when you get into the under $50 price range. For example, you can have two 40-dollar bourbons and one can be spicy and smooth, while the other tastes like pure rubbing alcohol.
The good news is that we’re here to help you find the ideal affordable bourbon whiskey for your needs. Read on to discover the best bourbon under $50, along with how to choose a good bourbon, what you need to know about them, and where you can find them.
What You Need to Know About Bourbon Under $50
Bourbon under $50 is like other bourbons but with a lower price tag. The cost tends to range from $30 to $50 for a 750 ml bottle, so there is still a little bit of a range that you can choose from. It’s less expensive than high-end and traditional bourbon because it’s aged for shorter periods, made with fewer ingredients, and usually meant for mixing with cocktails.
That said, bourbon under $50 is easy to find just about anywhere. You can find it online, at your local liquor store, and even while you’re out for dinner. This makes it one of the most flexible whiskey options around, and a good budget-friendly choice for people who don’t want to break the bank.
Bourbon Under $50: An Overview
Bourbon that’s under $50 is still bourbon. Like other bourbons out there, it has an amber color, spicy taste, and sometimes a hint of sweetness in the flavor profile. It pairs well with orange garnishes and works best in cocktails that let the whiskey shine: old fashioneds, whiskey sodas, and whiskey sours.
What makes bourbon under $50 unique is that it’s more affordable and flexible than some high-end or more traditional bourbons. What do we mean by this? In short, it’s not something you should be sipping neat or on the rocks, you’re better off mixing it with something. We recommend simple sugar, maple syrup, and orange peel to make an old fashioned. However, other mixers are more than fine.
Ultimately, the best bourbon under $50 is meant to be enjoyed as a cocktail rather than a neat glass of whiskey. While you still can enjoy it, that’s not what we recommend. It’s also a good choice for people who haven’t tried bourbon whiskey before because you don’t have to spend a fortune to get it.
How to Choose the Best Bourbon Under $50
Choosing the best bourbon under $50 can be more difficult than choosing a high-end bourbon. This is because the bourbon tends to be lower in quality, so a slight variation can throw the entire thing off. Many bourbons under $50 also offer more experimental flavors, so you may not always like it.
The good news is that we have some tips to help you choose the best bourbon under $50. First, you want to start by checking its age. When you’re shopping for a bourbon that costs less than $50, age is everything. Sure, you can find really cheap whiskey that’s been aged for a year or two, but you’re better off looking for cheap whiskey that’s been aged for at least two to four years.
Then you’ll want to consider the cost. While the price range is small, you’ll find that there can be big gaps between bourbon that costs $30 and $49.99. In fact, it can be the difference between a sipping-whiskey you can enjoy neat, and a whiskey that we wouldn’t recommend having anywhere else but a cocktail.
The last thing to look at is the flavor. Some bourbon under $50 will taste great, while others may try new things or use different barrels for maturation to try and emulate a flavor. Always read the label before you buy to find the right flavor for you.
What Does Bourbon Under $50 Cost?
Bourbon under $50 will cost you less than $50. That said, there is still a price you need to consider. Your average bottle of bourbon that costs less than $50 will be anywhere from $40 to $49.99. Still, there are some outliers. Some bourbon whiskey for less than $50 may run you only $34.99 or $29.99, but the quality begins to dwindle in those areas.
When ordering this whiskey at a bar or restaurant, expect to pay around $4-8 per shot. This can vary based on city or state.
Where Can You Buy Bourbon Under $50
The best bourbon for under $50 can be found at your local liquor store, most restaurants, and plenty of bars across the United States. Because it’s a broad category of bourbon whiskey, you don’t have to worry about running out of options. That said, you can also purchase bourbon for under $50 through online retailers including Speakeasyco.com.
Best Bourbon Under $50
Bourbon that’s less than $50 doesn’t have to stink. You’ll find that some of the best bourbon under $50 can hold their own next to some more high-end bourbons as well. Therefore, you can find some sipping whiskey gems in the $30 to $50 range.
Learn more about the best bourbon under $50 below.
1. Ransom Bourbon
MSRP: $36.99
Proof: 88
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, spicy, earthy oak
Our Rating: 5 Stars
Ransom Bourbon isn’t your average bourbon for less than $50. While it’s not made from a single malt, it’s a blend of bourbon whiskey from Ransom’s four-grain mash bill. This includes 59% corn, 19% malted barley, 14% rye, and 8% wheat. When combined, these ingredients give you a smooth, yet spicy bourbon whiskey that’s budget friendly.
Ransom Bourbon is also made in–house, on a local 40-acre farm in Oregon. Therefore, you’re not getting some generic bourbon from a national manufacturer that doesn’t care about the recipe; it’s clear that Random Bourbon cares about their grains, recipe, and customers.
The only drawback for Ransom Bourbon is that some of the bourbons in the blend are only aged for two years. Unfortunately, it can be hit-or-miss.
Pros
- Made with Ransom’s unique four-grain mash bill
- Distilled in-house in Oregon using direct-fire alembic pot stills
- Crafted from a blend of bourbons aged 2-16 years
Cons
- The bourbon ages in the blend can vary
2. Copper Sky Wheated Bourbon
MSRP: $49.99
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Caramel, vanilla, toffee, dark chocolate, oak
Our Rating: 4.5 Stars
Copper Sky Wheated Bourbon is one of the few bourbons under $50 that you can find at 100 proof. If you’re looking for a bourbon whiskey that can pack a punch, you can’t go wrong with Copper Sky Wheated Bourbon.
Thankfully, potency isn’t the only thing that Copper Sky Wheated Bourbon has going for it. It’s aged for several years in American oak barrels and the mash bill contains high-quality ingredients all the way down to the corn. It’s meant to be enjoyed sipped but you can also mix it with soda or other cocktail mixers – it’s great for an Old Fashioned.
The only drawback to Copper Sky Wheated Bourbon is that it’s really close to going over that $50 threshold, with many distributors even selling it for more than $50.
Pros
- Made with high-quality ingredients down to the corn
- Perfect for mixing in cocktails like an Old Fashioned
- 100 proof
Cons
- Many distributors sell this whiskey for more than $50
3. New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon
MSRP: $43.95
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Oak, Vanilla, Spice
Our Rating: 4.5 Stars
When it comes to whiskey under $50, you can’t go wrong with New Riff Distillery. This whiskey is special because it’s made using the classic methods that the first bourbon distillers used during the 18th century in Kentucky. It’s no-chill filtered, follows the guidelines outlined in the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, and has a corn-heavy mash bill.
While it’s less than $50, New Riff’s Kentucky whiskey tastes like a high-quality liquor. You have the 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley mash bill to thank for that.
That said, New Riff Distillery is one of the new players, so they don’t have as much of a presence as some other brands. Unfortunately, this can make it harder to find than other bourbon under $50.
Pros
- Adheres to Bottled in Bond Act guidelines
- Non-GMO corn
- Traditional Kentucky whiskey flavors
Cons
- Harder to find compared to other bourbons under $50
4. Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $34.99
Proof: 86
Tasting Notes: Caramel cake, fruit cake, corn pudding, spiced peaches, nuts, pineapple
Our Rating: 4 Stars
Cedar Ridge is a premier distillery that was founded by master distiller Jeff Quint back in 2005, so they’ve been around for a while. Quint founded his distillery with a mission to bring high-quality bourbon to the public, but without making people break the bank; this is where Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Whiskey comes into play.
This bourbon is significantly under $50, but that doesn’t mean it tastes bad. In fact, it’s one of the sweeter bourbons around with hints of orange, pineapple, and even peaches. This makes it perfect for mixing in cocktails like a bourbon old fashioned.
While Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a great choice, it’s not the best fit for people who prefer a more natural-tasting bourbon. Plus, it’s not the best for sipping.
Pros
- One of the most affordable bourbon options for the quality
- Great for mixing in cocktails
- Can be a sweet introduction for new bourbon drinkers
Cons
- Not the best sipping whiskey
- Has more sweetness than other bourbon options
5. Texas Pot Still Bourbon
MSRP: $39.99
Proof: 92
Tasting Notes: Toasted oak, honeycrisp apple, kettle corn, graham cracker
Our Rating: 3.5 Stars
If you’re looking for a bourbon straight from the still without any gimmicks, you can’t go wrong with Texas Pot Still Bourbon. Made in the Lone Star State, this bourbon gives you big flavors without the big price tag. If you like sweet and spicy whiskey, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of flavor they fit in the bottle for less than $50.
Texas Pot Still Bourbon is also a traditional bourbon whiskey. It’s made with a grain-to-glass philosophy using traditional pot-stilling techniques. This leaves you with the perfect mouthfeel, a sweet and spicy aroma, and an abundance of flavor.
Texas Pot Still Bourbon is delicious, but it’s not for everyone. For example, if you like your bourbon a little sweeter or mixed in a cocktail, you might be better off with something like Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Pros
- Big flavor without the big price tag
- Made using traditional Texas pot-stilling techniques
- Aged in charred oak barrels
Cons
- The flavor can come on too strong for some people
- Not the best for mixing in cocktails
Enjoy the Best Bourbon Under $50
There’s a common misconception that bourbon under $50 has to taste bad, doesn’t mix well, or that it will give you the worst hangover imaginable. While a bad cheap bourbon will do all of those things, and then some, that’s not true for all affordable bourbons.
In fact, the best bourbons under $50 will surprise you, and may even taste as good as some $75-$100 bourbon products. That said, you have to choose the right bourbon. Thankfully, all of the bourbons that we covered today are well worth the cost.
