Best Cheap Bourbons under $20

Last Updated on: 19th April 2024, 06:48 pm

Pocket-Friendly Picks: Top Bourbons Under $20

Explore the best bourbons under $20, selected by me, whiskey expert Neil Coleman, and customer feedback, where budget-friendly meets quality.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• The list features bourbons like Old Tub, Ezra Brooks 90 Proof, Jim Beam Repeal Batch, Jim Beam Extra Aged, Redemption Bourbon, Henry McKenna Straight Bourbon, and Benchmark.
• Each bourbon is characterized by its unique flavor profile, including nose, palate, and finish.
• The selection criteria focus on affordability and quality, aiming to provide the best value for money.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Quick Look at the Best Cheap Bourbons under $20

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Old Tub	$20
Ezra Brooks	$17
Jim Beam Repeal Batch	$19
Jim Beam Extra Aged	$18
Redemption Bourbon	$20
Henry McKenna	$17
Benchmark	$15

Unfiltered Delight: Old Tub Bourbon

• Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, baking spice, cereal
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak, espresso coffee, chocolate
• Finish: Vanilla, baking spice, oak
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Old Tub punches above its weight with a bold, unfiltered profile for a surprisingly friendly price.

Expect a warming cinnamon spice on the nose, followed by classic bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla. Despite its 100-proof strength, it goes down smooth with a creamy mouthfeel and hints of baking spice, rye, and Jim Beam’s signature roasted peanut. The finish is clean and lingers with rye and oak, making it great neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.

This unique bourbon benefits from both sour mash production and a lack of chill filtration, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Ezra Brooks: Budget-Friendly Bourbon for Mixing

• Nose: Caramel, dried fruit, black pepper
• Palate: Ripe fruit, chocolate, vanilla, baking spice
• Finish: Rye spice, brown sugar, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Looking for a good value bourbon for cocktails?

Ezra Brooks delivers a subtle nose of caramel, dried fruit, and a hint of peppery spice. The taste is light-bodied with a gentle warmth that transitions to sweet notes of vanilla, chocolate, and baking spice. The finish is a bit spicy with a touch of bitterness, but water or ice can tame it.

While not complex, Ezra Brooks offers a decent bourbon experience at a price that won’t break the bank, making it a solid choice for mixing.

Repealing the Ordinary: Jim Beam Repeal Batch

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, apple
• Palate: Oak, oak char, caramel, coffee
• Finish: Caramel, mint
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Jim Beam Repeal Batch elevates the standard Jim Beam experience.

The nose is delicate with hints of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of apple. The taste steps up with a bolder oak presence, featuring some charred bitterness balanced by caramel and a unique espresso note. The finish offers a gentle warmth with lingering caramel and a hint of mint.

This bourbon walks the line between sipping neat and mixing well, making it versatile. It offers better complexity than standard Jim Beam at a reasonable price, offering a delightful taste of history.

Stepping Up: Jim Beam Black Label’s Smoothness

• Nose: Caramel, cherry, vanilla, oak
• Palate: Corn, vanilla, caramel, oak, peppercorn
• Finish: Earthy, chocolate, corn, barrel char
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Jim Beam Black Label elevates the White Label with a richer profile.

The nose offers warm caramel and vanilla with hints of oak. The taste is smooth, featuring sweet corn, vanilla, and their signature roasted peanut character. A touch of pepper adds intrigue, while the finish lingers with a pleasant bite, earthiness, and chocolate.

Aged 8 years, it’s a step up in smoothness for an affordable price.

Easy Does It: Redemption Bourbon for Casual Sipping

• Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, oak
• Palate: Cinnamon, walnuts, vanilla, oak spice
• Finish: Medium, vanilla, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 88 proof (44% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Redemption Bourbon offers a straightforward profile for easy enjoyment.

The nose is light with caramel, cinnamon, and oak. The taste is smooth and slightly sweet with hints of nuts, spice, and vanilla. The finish is short and leaves lingering vanilla and oak. While uncomplicated, it’s approachable and goes down well on the rocks.

This bourbon is aged around two and a half years with a mash bill similar to Bulleit Bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley).

Light & Sweet: Henry McKenna’s Easygoing Bourbon

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, corn
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, corn, oak spice
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Henry McKenna offers a light bourbon with a smooth, sweet profile. Expect caramel, vanilla, and corn on the nose and palate, with a touch of oak spice building. The light body and short finish make it an easy sipper, especially for the price.

This Heaven Hill bourbon is aged at least 4 years and bottled at 80-proof.

Sweet Simplicity: Benchmark Bourbon for Easy Sipping

• Nose: Maple, vanilla, banana bread
• Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, oak
• Finish: Vanilla, oak spice, caramel
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Benchmark offers a smooth, budget-friendly bourbon with a sweet nose of maple syrup, vanilla, and banana bread.

The taste is thin with light vanilla, caramel, and oak but avoids harsh notes found in some inexpensive bourbons. It has a minimal finish, making it an easy sipper neat, though it might lack complexity for cocktails.

Produced by Buffalo Trace, it uses a similar mash bill to pricier bourbons but is younger (2 years) and bottled at a lower proof (80).

How to Choose a Good Bourbon Under $20

• Flavor Profile: Consider what flavors you enjoy – whether it’s the sweetness of vanilla and caramel or the spice of rye.
• Occasion: Some bourbons are better suited for sipping neat, while others excel in cocktails.
• Proof: Higher proof bourbons often offer more complexity but may need water or ice to open up the flavors.
• Brand Reputation: Well-known brands often provide a consistent quality, but don’t overlook smaller distilleries.
• Aging: Longer aging typically imparts more oak and vanilla flavors to the bourbon.
• Personal Preferences: Ultimately, your taste preference should guide your choice. Whether you prefer a smooth, sweet bourbon or one with a spicy kick, there’s something for everyone in this price range.

Consider further options by visiting my roundup of best bourbons under $40 or those for less than $30.