If you’re new to whisk(e)y, you might assume that all of it—only the U.S., Mexico, and Ireland spell it with an e—is overly expensive. Or at the very least, you might assume whiskey isn’t value priced for the beginner drinker or bargain shopper. Well, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Regardless of whether you drink Scotch whisky, bourbon, rye whiskey, Canadian whiskey, Irish whiskey (and beyond), there are countless deals to be found. And we’re not just talking about whiskeys that retail for less than $100 or even $50, we’re talking about those that sell for less than $30. And while you might assume this is the bottom shelf, these diamonds in the rough definitely aren’t swill.
Sure, you can find your fair share of stinkers that’d be better suited to power your ride-on lawn mower at this price point. But there are also more award-winning, nuanced, memorable whiskeys priced for less than $30 than you’d think. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite value Scotches, bourbons, rye whiskeys, and everything in between. Keep scrolling to see them in all their quality-to-price-ratio glory.
Photo via Pernod Ricard
Chivas Regal 12 Year Blended Scotch Whisky
Whisky purists might try to tell you that blended whisky is just for mixing. But they are severely limiting their options. Chivas Regal 12 is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from the Speyside region in Scotland. Each has matured for a minimum of twelve years. The result is a surprisingly complex whisky that’s equally mixable and sippable. It’s loaded with notable flavors like honey, candied nuts, candied lemon peels, sticky toffee pudding, and just a hint of wintry spice.
Photo via Suntory Holdings Ltd.
Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon
In the world of affordable bourbon, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of classic Jim Beam White Label. But if you’re looking for something with a little extra flavor for a similar price, look for Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon. After the initial four years of aging, it is matured again in another charred oak barrel for added complexity and taste. The result is a balanced sipping whiskey filled with flavors like toasted vanilla beans, caramelized sugar, dried fruit, light spices, and just a hint of woody smoke.
Photo via Tullamore
Tullamore D.E.W. Original Irish Whiskey
There are a lot of affordable Irish whiskeys out there. But few are as complex and balanced as Tullamore’s flagship expression, which is a triple-distilled blend of three whiskeys. The result is a memorable, highly affordable whiskey known for its flavor profile featuring notes of candied orange peels, toasted vanilla beans, sweet treacle, honey, dried fruits, and oaky wood. It’s perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or mixed into your favorite whiskey-based cocktail.
Photo via Heaven Hill Distillery
Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey
When it comes to historic, affordable rye whiskeys, there’s no beating the appeal of Rittenhouse. This Pennsylvania-style rye (now made in Kentucky at Heaven Hill) was first launched back in 1934. Named for Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, it’s a 100-proof, bottled-in-bond whiskey that’s matured for at least four full years in a Federally bonded warehouse. This bold, noteworthy whiskey is known for its flavor profile of citrus peels, dark chocolate, cinnamon, dried cherries, vanilla beans, and gentle spices.
Photo via Becle, S.A.B
Pendleton Canadian Whisky
Named for the town of Pendleton, Oregon as well as the Pendleton Round-up Rodeo, this Canadian whisky is unique due to being distilled and matured in Canada before being shipped to the U.S. There, pure glacier-fed water from Mt. Hood is used to proof it before bottling. This creates a noteworthy expression known for its palate of butterscotch, honey, cinnamon candy, dried fruits, and gentle baking spices.
Photo via Heaven Hill Distilleries
Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
If you only purchase one inexpensive whiskey on this list, make it Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon. This award-winning whiskey is released in several batches throughout the year. While each one is different, you can bet you’ll get a bourbon that’s been matured between eight and twelve years in level 3 charred American oak barrels. Elijah Craig Small Batch is known for its complex flavor profile of toasted vanilla beans, toffee, candied citrus peels, dried fruits, herbal mint, oak, and just a hint of smoke. It’s the kind of whiskey you’ll want to sip neat or on the rocks on a cool evening while you watch the world go by.
Photo via Diageo
J&B Rare Blended Scotch Whisky
If you’ve never tried J & B Rare, what are you waiting for? This surprisingly nuanced tipple is a blend of 42 single malt and grain whiskies, mostly from the Speyside region of Scotland. Great as a mixer or a rainy-day sipper, it’s known for its flavors of sticky toffee pudding, candied nuts, orchard fruits, orange peels, oak, and light spices. When it comes to value blended Scotch whiskies, you’ll have a tough time finding better than J & B Rare.
Photo via Heaven Hill Distilleries
Evan Williams Bottled In Bond Bourbon
There aren’t many value whiskey brands better than Evan Williams, which produces a broad variety of bargain-priced expressions. But, if you have to pick one, make it their Bottled In Bond. This 100-proof whiskey has been matured for at least four years. The result is an award-winning, memorable sipping and mixing bourbon known for its flavors of charred oak, caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla beans, dried fruit, and peppery spice. Sip it neat, on the rocks, or with a splash or two of water to open up the aromas and flavors.
