Believe it or not, there are still deals to be had in the bourbon world. Phenomenal bottles like Wild Turkey 101, Old Grand-Dad Bonded, and multiple Evan Williams expressions (among many others) can be had for near-bottom-shelf prices. But, while you can fill your home bar with these award-winning, highly mixable bottles, sometimes you want something with a little more nuance, complexity, and age. We’re talking about the type of bourbon that will solely be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash or two of water to open it up.
You’ll need to fork over a little more than you would for the aforementioned value bottles for these expressions. But fear not. You don’t have to spend the equivalent of a car payment or a month’s rent to get your hands on a great bottle of bourbon. If you’re willing to shell out $100 to $200, you will find many memorable, noteworthy bourbon whiskeys.
Don’t worry; you don’t have to slowly meander through the aisles of your local liquor retailer, mouth agape, searching for these exceptional releases. The work has been done for you. Below, you’ll find the best, sippable, sublime bourbons for over $100.
Old Forester 1924
Old Forester is a great bourbon brand because they have a mix of cheap to pretty expensive expressions. One that falls in the most costly range is the Old Forester 1924. This Whiskey Row Series release is limited and only released once per year. Matured in charred oak barrels for ten years, it’s made to pay tribute to the storied distillery remaining open (to make medicinal whiskey) during Prohibition. It’s well-known for its nose of pipe tobacco, toasted marshmallows, cinnamon, chocolate, and oak. Sipping it reveals notes of cinnamon, chocolate, sticky toffee, oak, and gentle spices. It’s a bold 100-proof and deserves to be sipped neat or on the rocks on a chilly evening.
Buy: $129.99
Widow Jane Lucky 13
If you haven’t tried any of Widow Jane’s expressions yet, what are you waiting for? While you can’t go wrong with its 10-year-old flagship release, if you want something special, you’ll opt for Widow Jane Lucky 13. This small batch, 93-proof whiskey has been matured for at least thirteen years in charred oak barrels. It’s non-chill filtered and proofed with limestone mineral water from the nearby Rosendale Mines. This creates a smooth, well-balanced whisky that begins with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, toffee, pipe tobacco, fresh leather, and oaky wood. The palate is a mix of candied pecans, orange peels, vanilla beans, caramelized sugar, and oak. The finish is warming and sweet and ends with a nice hint of charred wood.
Buy: $134.99
Peerless High Rye Bourbon
If you prefer your bourbon to have a little extra herbal, spicy kick, you may enjoy high-rye bourbons. A great example is Peerless High Rye Bourbon. Its mash bill isn’t revealed, but it has a high percentage of rye included after corn. Matured in charred oak barrels for four years, it’s known for its nose of candied orange peels, raisins, fresh leather, caramel, and oak. Drinking it brings herbal tea notes, cracked black pepper, vanilla beans, candied orange peels, and oak. Sip it slowly on an unseasonably cool evening and feel it warm you from the inside out.
Buy: $165.99
Knob Creek 15
Bourbon (and rye whiskey) drinkers love the range of whiskeys from Knob Creek because of their quality and value. Where else can you get an award-winning 15-year-old bourbon for less than $200? Knob Creek 15 begins with a mash bill of 77 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley. Matured for a decade and a half in charred oak barrels, it’s known for its nose of raisins, fresh leather, toasted vanilla beans, and oak. Take a sip, and you’ll be met with flavors like butterscotch, dried fruits, pipe tobacco, oaky wood, and gentle cracked black pepper. A whiskey this great should be sipped neat or on the rocks in front of a backyard campfire.
Buy: $134.99
Garrison Brothers Guadalupe
If you think that only noteworthy bourbon comes from Kentucky, you’re in for a shock. There are distilleries all over the U.S. cranking out unique expressions. One of the best non-Kentucky brands is Hye, Texas’ Garrison Brothers. If you’re willing to pay a little more, you can’t deny the appeal of Garrison Brothers Guadalupe. This 107-proof whiskey is matured in toasted and charred white American oak barrels for four years. It’s then matured for two more years in port casks imported from Portugal. This results in an indulgent, complex whiskey that starts with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, candied fruit, oak, and gentle spices. The palate is a symphony of pipe tobacco, ripe berries, cracked black pepper, oak, caramelized sugar, and rich chocolate. This borderline dessert whiskey should be enjoyed neat after a heavy meal.
Buy: $159.99
Baker's 13 Year Bourbon
Baker’s is one of Jim Beam’s offshoot brands that doesn’t get as much love as it deserves. Its 13-year-old expression is highly underrated. This 107-proof sipping whiskey was matured for thirteen years in charred oak barrels. You’ll find aromas of toasted vanilla beans, charred oak, caramelized sugar, and light spices on the nose. The palate is a mix of candied pecans, oaky wood, vanilla beans, toffee, and dried fruits. This nuanced, smooth bourbon is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, while you sit on a back porch or deck, swaddled in a blanket on a cold evening.
Buy: $134.99
