Best Bourbons under $30

Last Updated on: 16th April 2024, 07:38 pm

Everyday Elegance: Top Bourbons Under $30

Written by: J Highland

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer feedback, I have assembled a list of the top Bourbons for less than $30.

Key Takeaways

• Buffalo Trace: Known for its smooth flavor profile with caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. It offers a well-rounded, medium-bodied experience, ideal for neat sipping or on the rocks.
• Early Times Bottled in Bond: Features caramel, vanilla, tobacco, and leather flavors. It’s a robust bourbon, suitable for sipping or cocktails, with a manageable level of heat.
• Old Forester 100 Proof: Presents oak and caramel flavors with hints of cinnamon and mint. This bourbon is enjoyable neat, with added water enhancing sweetness and reducing spiciness.
• Wild Turkey 101: Offers a complex blend of oak spice, aged leather, and sweet elements. It’s approachable and enjoyable, with a moderate burn that’s softened with ice.
• Bulleit Bourbon: Features a rye-spice driven profile with caramel and dried fruit. It strikes a balance between bourbon and rye, making it suitable for neat sipping or in classic cocktails.
• Larceny Small Batch: Known for its banana bread and caramel notes. It offers a sweet and slightly warm finish, providing solid value for its price.
• Maker’s Mark: Has a balanced character with vanilla, caramel, and cherry flavors. Ideal for beginners or as a daily whiskey, it’s enjoyable on the rocks or in cocktails.
• 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 Bourbons under $30

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Buffalo Trace	$28
Early Times Bottled in Bond	$25
Old Forester 100 Proof	$28
Wild Turkey 101	$27
Bulleit Bourbon	$29
Larceny Small Batch	$22
Maker’s Mark	$29

Buffalo Trace: Smoothness at its Finest

• 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: Neat

Buffalo Trace is a crowd-pleaser known for its affordability and delightful taste. The nose offers subtle hints of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. The palate is smooth and inviting, featuring a pleasant mix of spice, oak, fruit, and lingering caramel and vanilla sweetness. It’s a medium-bodied bourbon with a moderately long finish, perfect for sipping neat.

While it might not be your go-to for cocktails, its well-rounded flavor profile makes it a great choice for those seeking a smooth and enjoyable bourbon experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Early Times: Classic Flavors, Modern Appeal

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, ripe fruit, rye spice
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, tobacco, leather
• Finish: Brown, sugar, caramel, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Early Times Bottled in Bond entices with caramel, vanilla, fruit, and rye spice. The 100-proof bourbon boasts a thick mouthfeel, transitioning from sweet to tobacco, leather, and oak. The finish is warm with brown sugar, caramel, and spice.

Versatile for sipping or cocktails, it captures classic bourbon with a satisfying experience.

Old Forester 100: Smooth Oak & Hints of Spice

• Nose: Alcohol, oak, caramel
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, mint
• Finish: Spice, tobacco, oak
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Old Forester 100 starts with a touch of ethanol that fades to oak and caramel. The medium-bodied palate features oak, caramel, and whispers of cinnamon, chocolate, cherry, and mint, finishing with gentle spice and tobacco. Water brings out sweetness and oak.

Smooth at 100 proof, it’s great for sipping neat or in simpler cocktails.

Wild Turkey 101: Sweet & Spicy Value Champ

• Nose: Oak, honey, caramel, vanilla
• Palate: Vanilla, brown sugar, baking spice, mint
• Finish: Long, caramel, charred oak, old leather
• Alcohol content: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water, cocktails

Wild Turkey 101 entices with a sweet nose of honey, caramel, vanilla, and Wild Turkey’s signature char. The smooth palate offers warmth, vanilla, spice, hazelnuts, and a hint of mint. The finish is warm with lingering oak. Complex yet approachable, it’s a great value bourbon.

Bulleit Bourbon: Rye Spice with a Balanced Twist

• Nose: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, almond
• Palate: Rye spice, caramel, dried fruit, nuts
• Finish: Long, caramel, rye spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Bulleit Bourbon opens with a rye spice punch followed by cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The palate is spicy (thanks to high rye!), then softens to dried fruit and nuts. The finish is warm with lingering spice, oak, and a hint of sweetness. This rye-forward bourbon is great neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.

Larceny: Sweet Banana Bread Twist

• Nose: Banana bread, vanilla, butterscotch
• Palate: Banana, caramel, oak
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Larceny starts with a hint of nose burn before revealing banana bread and caramel. The palate offers warmth followed by sweet caramel, banana bread, and oak spice. The finish is warm and sweet. Water brings out more sweetness. This wheated bourbon offers good value, with a unique banana bread note thanks to its wheat mash bill.

Maker’s Mark: Smooth & Sweet for Sipping

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, fruity notes
• Palate: Sweet, nutty, baking spice, bread-like flavor
• Finish: Honeyed, smooth with a bit of spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Maker’s Mark starts with a whiff of nail polish that fades to vanilla and cherry. The palate is sweet and creamy with vanilla, caramel, cherry, and honey. The finish is warm and slightly spicy, turning into a Tootsie Roll with a water drop. Smooth and balanced, it’s ideal for beginner sippers or those who prefer a milder bourbon.

How to Choose the Right Bourbon Under $30

• 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.