Even when your whiskey budget is tight, the liquor store shelf beckons like a boozy vending machine. Whiskey, despite going off like a bomb this past decade, remains an affordable game to play. But it’s also tough.
Products in the Guide
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Buffalo Trace
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Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky
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Wild Turkey 101
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Old Overholt Rye
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Old Forester Signature 100 Proof
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Starward Two-Fold Australian Whisky
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Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
Best Bourbon for a Party
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Old Pulteney 12 Years
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Larceny Small Batch
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Suntory Toki
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Old Grand-Dad 114
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Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage
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Four Roses Yellow Label
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Jim Beam Single Barrel
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If you have, say, a Jackson and a Hamilton in your pocket, you are spoiled for choice. And while there are no right or wrong picks on the path to loving whiskey, some decisions might be wiser than others when it comes to cheap whiskey. Here are some of the best whiskeys to reach for that are affordable without sacrificing quality.
Best Overall Affordable Whiskey
Buffalo Trace
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace
- Proof: 90
- Price: $25 – $35
Buffalo Trace’s flagship bottle is an industry-standard — so much so that it often feels less exciting than its affordable competitors. But there’s much to be said for plain old quality. The juice in the buffalo bottle is aged at least eight years, according to BT, and it’s a younger version of some of the stuff that finds its way into some of bourbon’s most sought-after bottles. Its flavor isn’t as unique or punchy as some other bottles on this list, but it’s a great benchmark for simple, delicious “bourbony” flavors.