Whiskey novices might assume that most bourbons worth drinking are limited-edition, highly sought-after, aged for decades, and ridiculously expensive. That couldn’t be further from the truth. There are countless well-made, noteworthy bourbon whiskeys between $30-100 that absolutely deserve a permanent spot on your home bar, whether it’s for sipping neat or mixing into classic cocktails.
That said, there are some wildly expensive bourbons that are more on par with the price of your home mortgage, selling for thousands of dollars or more. In between the inexpensive and hyper-expensive are the well-rounded, memorable, splurge bourbons for special occasions. These aren’t the bottles you’ll grab on your way home from work at your local liquor store. They come with iconic names like Michter’s, Blood Oath, Old Fitzgerald, and more and range between $150 and $600 per bottle.
And while that might seem like a lot of cash to spend on one bottle of bourbon, in many cases it’s totally worth it. Below, you’ll find the expensive bourbons that are worth their lofty price tags, especially if you’re looking for a memorable gift or a way to treat yourself for a special occasion.
Photo via Chatham Imports
Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon
You might wonder why a 10-year-old bourbon is on this list, since you can find your fair share of decade-old whiskeys for around $50 at many liquor stores. Well, Michter’s 10 Year is expensive for a variety of reasons. While the suggested price of the 2025 batch is $175, this whiskey often fetches upwards $200-600 on the secondary market. This is because of its limited availability (until recently) and its unparalleled complexity. This 94-proof whiskey is matured for more than a decade in fire-charred, new American oak barrels and isn’t released until the Master Distiller and Master of Maturation say it’s ready. The result is a memorable sipping whiskey with notes of maple candy, charred oak, vanilla, and caramelized sugar.
Photo via MGP
Remus Gatsby Reserve 15 Year Bourbon
If you’ve never tried one of the Remus bourbons, it’s time to get on the bandwagon. And this is a great place to start if you’re willing to spend a little extra cash. This 104.9-proof whiskey is made with a blend of bourbons that are all matured for a minimum of fifteen years. It’s known for its aromatic nose of pipe tobacco, vanilla beans, and fresh leather. Sipping it reveals notes of dried cherries, candied nuts, rich oaky wood, toasted vanilla beans, and gentle spices. The finish is sweet, nutty, and leaves you craving more.
Photo via Campari Group
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Bourbon
Like Michter’s 10 Year, part of the appeal of Russell’s Reserve 13 Year is its limited availability. But it wouldn’t be popular if it also wasn’t a noteworthy whiskey. It begins with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley. It’s matured for a minimum of thirteen years in new American oak barrels with No. 4 alligator char. Bottled at cask strength, it’s known for its nose of charred wood, raisins, chocolate, toffee, honey, and light spices. The palate is a symphony of flavors including toasted marshmallows, dried fruits, butterscotch, and oak. The finish is long, lingering, warm, and ends with a gentle kiss of sweet smoke.
Photo via Heaven Hill Distilleries
Elijah Craig 18 Year Bourbon
If you only purchase one of the bourbons on this list, make it Elijah Craig 18 Year Bourbon. This single barrel bourbon was first introduced in 1992. It begins with a mash bill of 78 percent corn, 10 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley. This award-winning whiskey matures for at least eighteen years in charred oak barrels. This creates a mellow, sublime sipper that begins with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, charred oak, caramelized sugar, and dark chocolate. Sipping it reveals notes of oak, candied nuts, vanilla, butterscotch, and honey. The finish is a warm mix of sweetness and memorable spice.
Photo via Garrison Brothers
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon
If your only experience with bourbon is from Kentucky, you’re really missing out. Texas’s Garrison Brothers distillery has been crafting award-winning whiskeys since it was established back in 2006. While you can’t go wrong with its Small Batch Bourbon, the Cowboy Bourbon is a worthy splurge for a special occasion. This award-winning cask strength, uncut, unfiltered whiskey is known for its flavors of maple, chocolate fudge, candied pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, toasted vanilla beans, raisins, dried fruit, licorice, and oaky wood. This is the kind of bourbon you’ll want to sip neat on a cool evening.
Photo via Buffalo Trace Distillery
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
This popular single barrel bourbon was named for Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, the first whiskey maker to mass produce single barrel bourbon. While it doesn’t carry an age statement, this award-winning 90-proof whiskey boasts a nose of vanilla beans, oak, fresh leather, and wintry spices. The palate is a mix of dried fruits, brown sugar, caramelized sugar, oak, vanilla, and spices. It’s warming, balanced, and perfectly suited for sipping.
