Tax season is a fickle time. It seems like half of us are eagerly anticipating a fat return check, already plotting how we’ll spend those “bonus” dollars once they hit our bank accounts. The other half are scrimping and saving, dreading the impending phone call that will bring the final tally from the accountant.
If you fall into that second camp, don’t worry—we’ve got your back. You don’t need to spend big to drink well, and few occasions warrant a stiff drink like settling up the tax tab. Here are six truly delicious (as in, savor-em-straight) bourbons clocking in at under $30 here in my home state of Oregon, which has some of the highest liquor prices in the nation. That means you might even pay less for these hidden gems in your hometown.
Heaven Hill 6 Year Green Label – $15 in Oregon
The gold standard for inexpensive, tasty bourbon, Heaven Hill’s 6-Year-Old Green Label bottling can go toe to toe with bourbons four times the price. It’s a solid 90 proof, has managed to hang onto its age statement, and is available for less than the price of a takeout dinner.
Old Weller Antique 107 – $27 in Oregon
Frequently touted as Pappy’s little brother, Old Weller Antique uses the same wheated mash bill as the famous Pappy bourbons but is, thankfully, a lot less expensive and a lot easier to find. Old Weller Antique 107 is a full-flavored, spicy bourbon with lots of concentration and that high-proof oomph that can be elusive at this price point.
Old Ezra 7 Year 101 – $25 in Oregon
This bottling from Luxco is made at Heaven Hill, and it delivers a nearly textbook array of bourbon character: think caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, and butterscotch, with a nice high proof that’s perfect for cocktails or summoning the courage to write that final check to the IRS.
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Gentleman Jack – $28 in Oregon
Need to take things down a notch? Reach for Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s grown-up cousin. According to the distillery, this version is charcoal mellowed not once but twice. In practice, that means a silky flavor profile and feather-soft mouth feel. I think Gentleman Jack would probably vanish in a cocktail, but a neat pour is the organoleptic equivalent of a hot bath.
Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut – $25 in Oregon
This new, limited-edition whiskey from Jim Beam isn’t chill filtered, which means it still contains all the fatty acids, proteins, and esters that give whiskey right out of the cask its huge flavor and satisfying mouth feel. It gets a little cloudy when it gets cold, but who cares when it tastes this good.
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