The Best Bourbons Under $50, According To Bartenders

Forbes

29-05-2025

Pouring whiskey in glass on bar counter.
getty
If you've ever stood in the whiskey aisle staring down a wall of bottles and wondering if that $28 bourbon will make you feel refined or just regretful, you're not alone. Fortunately, good bourbon doesn't have to cost as much as a steak dinner. Some bottles under $50 are not just passable—they're genuinely fantastic, whether you're sipping neat, mixing a Manhattan, or just trying to impress someone without showing them your receipt.
I asked bartenders, beverage directors, and bourbon buffs across the country to share their go-to bottles that over deliver under the $50 mark. The results? A collection of bourbons that taste like you know a guy in Kentucky. Here's what to pour.
Michter's US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Michter's
Smooth operator with butterscotch charm
Michter's is one of those brands that takes its time — and it shows. The US1 expression is small-batch and aged in fire-charred, new American oak barrels, offering a level of polish rarely seen at this price point.
Kristen Love of InterContinental New York Barclay sums it up best: 'Michter's US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon stands out in its price range for its exceptional smoothness and depth… rich notes of butterscotch, stone fruit, and subtle spice, all wrapped in a silky finish.'
It's the kind of bourbon you reach for when you want to impress someone without looking like you tried too hard. Mix it in an Old Fashioned or sip it neat — either way, you'll look like a seasoned pro.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Wild Turkey
The cask strength classic that pulls no punches
This one's not for the faint of heart, but that's the fun of it. Rare Breed is a barrel-proof bourbon — meaning it's not diluted before bottling — with a blend of 6-, 8-, and 12-year-old whiskeys, giving it an unusual level of complexity. 'It shares some of the solid characteristics of older cask strength bourbons without quite as high a price tag,' says Owen Thompson of The Square DC.
Tasting notes? Think deep caramel, toasted pecan, dark cherry, and a pop of cinnamon spice that lingers long after your last sip. It clocks in at around 116.8 proof, but it's surprisingly balanced for its strength. Use it in a Manhattan if you dare — or just enjoy it while contemplating your life choices.
Bardstown Origin Series Wheated Bourbon
Bardstown
For bourbon nerds who like full disclosure and full flavor
This wheated bourbon is a relatively new entrant, but it's already earning a place on shelves and in hearts. Sitting at 96 proof and aged for 6 years, the Bardstown Origin Series Wheated is the kind of bottle that feels like a find.
Corey Hollinger from Serliana in Indianapolis calls it: 'Rich in baked apple, honeyed oak, and subtle cinnamon… rivals far pricier pours.'
The transparency is part of the charm—every detail, from mash bill (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley) to distillation and aging, is listed proudly. It drinks like a soft, spiced apple crumble, making it a sweet spot bourbon for those tired of hype-chasing.
Good Trouble Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Good Trouble
A bold pour with a bigger purpose
Named in tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis, Good Trouble Bourbon blends flavor and mission. Bottled at 92 proof, this small-batch Kentucky bourbon delivers well-rounded notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and warm baking spices. Chicago bartender Josh Davis puts it best:
'With its combination of quality craftsmanship, distinctive flavor, and social mission, Good Trouble offers a premium experience at an accessible price point.'
This is the bottle you pull out when you want to taste something good — and feel good about it. Pro tip: try it in a Whiskey Sour to let the caramel and spice play nicely with citrus.
FEW Spirits Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
FEW Spirits
Craft-made charm from Prohibition's hometown
From Evanston, IL — the birthplace of the temperance movement — comes a rebellious little bourbon that refuses to be boring. FEW's Bottled-in-Bond is aged at least four years and bottled at 100 proof, with a mash bill that leans heavy on rye. Kyle McHugh, a longtime hospitality pro, calls it: 'Rich… dark red cherry and other red fruits, a delicately smoky vanilla note, & lively sumptuous caramel.'
The red fruit really shines here — think cherry cola meets vanilla bean — with a slightly smoky backbone that makes it ideal for late-night sipping or standing out in a whiskey-forward cocktail.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Woodford Reserve
A rich, toasty riff on a bourbon classic
What happens when you take Woodford Reserve and age it again in a second, deeply toasted, lightly charred barrel? You get Double Oaked — a bourbon that somehow feels twice as luxurious while still under $50.
'It drinks bigger than it is,' says Lauren Painter of Scoundrel. Mourad Atiki of The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown adds,'Pleasant hints of caramel and toasted oak… vanilla and chocolate as well.'
This is a dessert bourbon in all the right ways — rich, warm, and indulgent, but never cloying. Serve it with pecan pie or just drink it instead of dessert.
Pinhook Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Pinhook
Approachable, bright, and cocktail-ready
Pinhook takes a vintage-by-vintage approach to bourbon, releasing new blends each year. The core straight bourbon expression is light, zesty, and packed with flavor. Ivo Arkulin of The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans says:
'The nose is packed with orange peel and vanilla, with hints of butterscotch and nutmeg.'
It's a natural fit for cocktails like the Paper Plane or a Vieux Carré, where its spice and citrus notes brighten up heavier components. Don't be fooled by the sub-$40 price tag — this one punches well above its weight.
Russell's Reserve 10 Year
Wild Turkey
A decade in oak and a lot to love
Crafted by Jimmy and Eddie Russell of Wild Turkey fame, this small-batch 90 proof bourbon has a well-earned reputation for being reliable, rich, and way too affordable for its age statement. David Orellana of Grand Brasserie says:
'Highly complex with notes of spicy vanilla, caramel, and sweet clove… finishes with a long oak-driven spice and butterscotch sweetness.'
Aged in alligator char barrels, Russell's 10 offers a big, brooding sip that pairs well with cigars, deep thoughts, or slow Sunday afternoons.
Eagle Rare 10 Year
Buffalo Trace
If you see it, don't think — buy
A staple from Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare is often elusive but never disappointing. David Miller of HEI Hotels says: 'It delivers rich notes of caramel, oak, and dark fruit that rival bourbons twice its price… It does sell out often, so if you can grab a bottle at retail price, do it.'
It's a mellow, aged beauty with flavors of toffee, candied orange peel, leather, and a whisper of cocoa.
Eric LeGrand Bourbon
Eric LeGrand
Smooth sipper with a story to match
Created in partnership with former Rutgers football player and spinal cord injury advocate Eric LeGrand, this bourbon is as meaningful as it is delicious. At around 88 proof, it's approachable yet full-bodied.
Janelly Torres of Strickland's Steakhouse says: 'It's incredibly smooth with rich caramel and oak notes that pair perfectly with our signature cuts.'
Aged in new charred oak and non-chill filtered, it brings butterscotch and toasted almond to the forefront with a soft, velvety finish. Bonus: proceeds support spinal cord injury research and awareness.
Whether you're building your bourbon bar on a budget or just want to find a bottle that impresses without intimidation, this list proves you don't have to spend a fortune to drink like you did. And if anyone rolls their eyes at your under-$50 pick, just pour them a glass and let the bourbon do the talking. Odds are, they'll be asking where you got it by the second sip.