Bourbon, like all whiskeys, has a broad range in terms of quality and price. Sure, you can grab a bargain bottle at your local liquor store, and you might even be happy with it. (Just don’t go too cheap.) There are myriad well-made, inexpensive choices like Elijah Craig Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101, and smaller brands. But, if you’ve refined your palate with these bargain bottles and you’re looking to up your bourbon game, there are many complex, multi-layered, long-aged bourbons priced from $200 and above worth splurging on.
You might be wondering what differentiates an inexpensive bourbon to a reasonably expensive one. There are a handful of variables. They include age (less mature bourbons tend to be cheaper), availability (limited-quantity and allocated bourbons are usually pricier), and whether or not they are limited-edition, special release, or hard-to-find batches.
The hope is that, if you’re planning to spend $200 or more on a bottle of bourbon, it’s going to be flavorful, nuanced, and easy-drinking, neat or on the rocks. It’s probably not an expression you’re going to mix with. Save that for your Jim Beam White Label or Evan Williams Black Label.
Below, you’ll see some of the best available based on price-to-quality ratio. We’re not looking for overpriced duds here. These are truly great whiskeys and well worth the higher price tag.
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Whiskey
If you somehow missed it, Texas-based Garrison Brothers is producing some truly epic bourbons. One of the best is its popular Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon. This 140.2-proof, (current release) cask strength whiskey is referred to as an “uncut, unfiltered, Texas straight bourbon whiskey”. This award-winning bourbon is released in batches from time to time. Matured for a minimum of six years, it’s known for its nose of pipe tobacco, fresh leather, and caramelized sugar. The palate is a symphony of flavors, including brown sugar, dried fruits, molasses cookies, and oak. The finish is shot, warm, and ends with a final flourish of butterscotch sweetness.
Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18
Elijah Craig is one of the most popular value bourbon brands. You can’t go wrong with its Small Batch or Barrel Proof offerings. But, if you’re looking for something a little pricier, opt for Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18. As the name implies, each batch comes from a single barrel of whiskey that matured for a minimum of eighteen years in new, charred American oak barrels. This creates a balanced, flavorful, award-winning whiskey that begins with a nose of dried fruit, honey, toffee, and oak. Sipping it reveals notes of toasted wood, candied nuts, vanilla beans, mint leaves, and cocoa powder. The finish is long, lingering, warm, and ends with notes of vanilla and cracked black pepper.
Widow Jane The Vaults
If you’ve never tried any expression from Widow Jane, what’re you waiting for? A great choice for over $200 is Widow Jane The Vaults. This 99-proof, limited-edition release is a blend of 15-year-old bourbons from the brand’s collection of old and rare whiskeys. After marrying the whiskeys, the expression is aged in Amburana wood casks. This creates a unique, multi-layered expression that starts with scents of dried fruits, almond cookies, graham crackers, cinnamon, and oak. Drinking it reveals flavors like raisins, cinnamon candy, cracked black pepper, vanilla, and baking spices. It all ends with candied orange peels, caramelized sugar, and licorice candy.
Blood Oath Pact No. 9
Unless you’re an avid bourbon collector, you might not know about the prowess of Blood Oath. A good starting point is Blood Oath Pact 9. This marriage of whiskeys includes a 16-year-old high-rye bourbon, a 12-year-old high-rye bourbon, and a 7-year-old high-rye bourbon finished in Oloroso sherry casks. This creates a unique, sublime whiskey that begins with aromas of dried cherries, caramelized sugar, and oak on the nose. The palate features flavors like molasses cookies, chocolate, fudge, pipe tobacco, vanilla beans, and sherried sweetness. The finish is long, lingering, fruity, and gently spicy.
Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel
If you have a chance to get your hands on this 100-proof, high-rye bourbon from the folks at Buffalo Trace, do it. This single barrel bourbon is matured for at least eight years in new, charred American oak barrels. This creates a balanced, inventive whiskey that begins with a nose of caramel apples, dried fruits, vanilla beans, and cinnamon candy. Sipping it brings flavors like charred oak, fresh leather, vanilla, dried cherries, and creamy caramel. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a kick of spicy cracked black pepper.
Weller Full Proof
When it comes to paying a little more for a bottle of whiskey, you can’t go wrong with Weller Full Proof. This non-chill filtered, wheated bourbon is bottled at a potent 114-proof. This results in a surprisingly soft, mellow whiskey that begins with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, dried cherries, caramelized sugar, oak, and honey. The palate is loaded with flavors like fresh leather, charred oak, butterscotch, dark chocolate, and dried fruits. The finish is long, lingering, warm, and ends with a nice, sweet mix of chocolate fudge, brown sugar, and sticky toffee pudding.
