In a world of hyped whiskeys and soaring prices, Bottled-in-Bond bourbons remain a beacon for value-conscious drinkers. These bourbons follow strict legal requirements – made at one distillery, in one season, aged at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof – offering an invaluable guarantee of authenticity and quality.
These five bourbons represent the pinnacle of bottled-in-bond value. From affordable everyday pours to aged gems, each delivers remarkable quality that punches well above its price point.
What Makes Bottled-in-Bond Special?
The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 was America’s first consumer protection law for food or drink, created to combat below-board whiskey practices.
For a bourbon to earn the Bottled-in-Bond designation, it must follow strict rules: it must be made at a single distillery during one distillation season, aged at least four years in federally bonded warehouses, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV). No additives, no shortcuts.
These requirements essentially guarantee you’re getting the real deal – pure whiskey with nothing hidden or watered down. Despite the innovations that have recently graced the American whiskey industry, the Bottled-in-Bond designation remains a hallmark for quality, something that consumers can trust.
When I spoke to Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House, around Bottled-in-Bond Day (March 3, 2025), he expressed an affinity for the designation and its place in the modern market. “I love that these classifications have re-emerged and become more premium across the sector, from big distillers to independents like Laws. I even know some folks who will only drink bonded American whiskeys. It is a real thing, not a fad, in our view. It stands for something, and what it stands for speaks to consumers.”
So, if you are looking to explore the wide world of Bottled-in-Bond bourbon, where do you start? Below, I have pulled together five Bottled-in-Bond bourbons that offer delicious experiences at reasonable price points.
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
BUY NOW: From $21 on The Whiskey Wash Compare
Heaven Hill‘s white-labeled gem is arguably the best bourbon bargain going. At around $20, you’re getting a surprisingly complex 100-proof bourbon that drinks extremely smoothly, much like something that is twice the price (or age).
Named after an early Welsh-American distiller, this bourbon delivers a rich profile of caramel, vanilla, and toasted nuts with beautiful spice. The finish brings a pleasant warmth without any harsh edges.
What makes it special is its versatility – it holds up beautifully in an Old Fashioned where the higher proof cuts through the sugar and bitters, but it’s equally satisfying neat or with a single ice cube.
For such an unbeatable price, you really cannot go wrong with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond
BUY NOW: From $60 on The Whiskey Wash Compare
This bourbon’s journey from shelf sleeper to award winner is legendary. After winning “Best in Show Whiskey” at San Francisco in 2019, the bourbon’s popularity soared – as did its price tag. But it’s still worth every penny.
Each bottle is drawn from a single barrel aged a full decade, making it the oldest bottled-in-bond bourbon widely available. The flavor is quintessential Kentucky – rich vanilla and caramel melding with seasoned oak, baking spices, and a touch of leather. There’s a refined quality here, thanks to that extra aging, which goes above and beyond the legal requirements for Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys.
At around ten years of aging for around $60, this quality-to-price ratio remains almost unmatched among aged single barrel offerings.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
BUY NOW: From $22 on The Whiskey Wash Compare
This bright orange-labelled bourbon (~$25) from Jim Beam carries serious historical credentials. Named for Basil Hayden Sr., it features a high-rye mashbill that delivers a distinctive spicy character unlike other bonded bourbons.
Upon tasting, it delivers waves of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove backed by caramel and citrus notes. That bold spice profile makes it a go-to for whiskey cocktails – particularly Manhattans, where it stands up beautifully to sweet vermouth.
For a spirit with such heritage and character at this price point, it’s an absolute steal.
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Old
BUY NOW: From $31 on The Whiskey Wash Compare
Crafted after Heaven Hill discontinued their beloved 6-year Kentucky-only version (to public outcry), this 7-year expression has become a modern classic. With its elegant blue and white label, this bourbon delivers remarkable depth – honey-roasted nuts, chocolate, rich caramel, and a wonderful oak influence that’s present without dominating.
The extra aging provides a roundness that many younger bonded bourbons lack. It makes an exceptional sipper on cool evenings, though it can elevate a special-occasion Old Fashioned to new heights.
While pricier than some bonded options, the additional age (3 years more than required) and refinement justify every penny.
Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
BUY NOW: From $17 on The Whiskey Wash Compare
Perhaps the bourbon world’s best-kept secret, this bourbon gem delivers astonishing quality.
Originally from Brown-Forman and now produced by Sazerac, Early Times Bottled-in-Bond offers a uniquely fruity profile alongside traditional bourbon notes. There are stone fruits, berry jam, vanilla custard, and chocolate, with a mouthfeel that belies its modest price.
The value is unmatched – you’re getting a full litre of proper 100-proof bourbon that easily competes with bottles twice its price. It is also delicious in a Gold Rush cocktail, where its natural fruit notes complement the honey and lemon beautifully.
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If you see it, buy it – your future self will thank you. And at around $20 per bottle, it is hard to argue.
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