You do not need to spend big or hunt down an allocated bottle to drink genuinely excellent bourbon. Blanton’s is the benchmark most drinkers reach for, and its single barrel range is delicious, but it stays pricey and hard to find. Plenty of distilleries offer outstanding single barrel and small batch bourbon for a fraction of the cost. Every bottle here costs less than Blanton’s, and several match its signature orange oil and buttered popcorn character. The five bourbons below run roughly $30 to $50, and each one is chosen on what it delivers for the money.
Evan Williams Single Barrel Is The Best Cheap Bourbon
This is the cheapest on the list. Evan Williams Single Barrel Select is a remarkably good-value bourbon that never stretches beyond its price point or lets me down. It sells for around $30.
There is always a wonderful orange oil and Old Fashioned cocktail aroma on the nose. On the palate you find toffee, caramel, sweet American oak, and subtle layers of peanuts with a touch of salt.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
It never overreaches for the money, and it can give many Blanton’s single barrel releases a serious run for their money. A genuinely delicious bourbon and a brilliant place to start.
Trending Content
Very Old Barton Is The Sleeper Pick Under $40
This is the sleeper pick, lesser known than the others here. Very Old Barton has four different releases in the range, with this being the most widely available, and it delivers far more than you might expect. It costs around $36.
The nose and palate are packed with apricot and peach, sweet ginger, and royal icing. It is a truly mouth-watering style of bourbon that can rival Blanton’s signature orange oil and sweet buttered popcorn character.
Every Kirkland Bourbon Ranked, From Worst to Best
READ THE STORYIt is not expensive in any way. It is a little tricky to find, but nowhere near as difficult to track down as Blanton’s.
Four Roses Single Barrel Holds Its Price
Four Roses is a brilliant distillery with a genuinely fascinating approach to whiskey-making, so there was no way this would miss the list. It sells for around $43.
The single barrel release beats most products at this price point, and it feels like it has barely changed in price over the last five years, which says a lot in today’s whiskey market.
Bottled at 50% ABV and loaded with sweet caramel, spicy rye, and dry oak, it is an absolute delight and one we should all be buying.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Delivers Rich Value
This has become a new favorite, and I am slightly annoyed it took me so long to pick up a bottle. Since then, I have rarely reached for anything else when drinking bourbon at home. It costs around $46.
It is heavy with maple, pecan, sweet spice, barrel char, baked vanilla, and glacé cherries. A deep, rich, powerful bourbon that delivers so much at 45% ABV, and a lot of whiskey for the money.
I have not yet tried the single barrel releases, but they are firmly on my to-do list. Bourbon fan to bourbon fan, you really cannot go wrong with anything made by the folks at Wild Turkey.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tops the Range
This sits at the top of the price range at around $50, and I should flag that it is technically Tennessee whiskey, not bourbon. It is a bourbon with an extra step. Setting that aside, it is one of the most impressive American whiskeys you can buy and drink. It is bottled at 62% ABV or higher.
It has all the classic Jack Daniel’s character of peanuts, caramel, and banana, supercharged by the high ABV. It feels heavy and dense, and despite the strength, the sweetness that comes through is extraordinary. A powerful pour that reminds you just how good a distillery Jack Daniel’s really is.
The Best Value Bourbon On Your Shelf
Genuinely excellent bourbon does not have to cost a fortune or take weeks to track down. Every bottle here costs less than Blanton’s, and several match its signature character.
So which is the best value bourbon on your shelf, and what have we missed? Let us know in the comments.
