The top shelf does not have a monopoly on delicious bourbon. Every new expression that hits the market with a cost-effective price tag and pleasing palate reenforces this notion. Sometimes, choosing to spend a modest amount on a more affordable bottle after years of passing it by can lead to finding a brand-new favorite.
Bartenders are familiar with this concept. They usually have an appreciation for the expensive stuff, but they can often find contentment with labels that don’t impact their wallets nearly as much. In some cases, they may even prefer these budget-friendly bottles over Pappy’s, Blanton’s, and other high-priced labels that can rouse obsession among taters. With that in mind, we asked 25 bartenders to name their favorite bang-for-your-buck bourbon. Their selections, and the reasons behind picking them, might just be enough to inspire you to pick up a bottle of something that you’ve always been kind of curious about.
The best bang-for-your-buck bourbons, according to bartenders: Cyrus Noble George Dickel 8-Year Bourbon Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond Evan Williams Bottled in Bond Old Forester 100 Proof Penelope Widow Jane Jefferson’s Ocean Wild Turkey Great Jones Bourbon Buffalo Trace Heaven Hill Distilleries 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond Elijah Craig Small Batch Noah’s Mill Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon Four Roses Yellow Label High West Bourbon Wild Turkey 101 Evan Williams 1783 Old Grand Dad 114
“Bardstown, Ky.’s Cyrus Noble bourbon is [made from] a traditional mash bill, aged five to six years, and
