Good bourbon does not have to be expensive. Some of the most reliable bottles on the shelf come from large, long-running Kentucky distilleries that can sell well-aged whiskey at everyday prices. Below are ten bottles we carry that were priced under $50 when this guide was written, grouped by what you are looking for. All of them can be found in our Bourbon Under $50 collection.
Soft and Easy: Wheated Bourbons
Bourbon must be at least 51% corn. Most recipes use rye as the second grain, which adds spice. Wheated bourbons swap the rye for wheat, which usually makes them rounder and softer.
Larceny Small Batch
Made by Heaven Hill, Larceny continues the Old Fitzgerald tradition of using wheat in place of rye. It is bottled at 92 proof. The name comes from the story of John E. Fitzgerald, a treasury agent who used his rickhouse keys to help himself to bourbon from the best barrels.
Green River Wheated Bourbon
From Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, a distillery first established in 1885. The mash bill is 70% corn, 21% wheat and 9% malted barley, aged 4 to 6 years and bottled at 90 proof.
Classic Rye-Forward Bourbons
Bulleit Bourbon
A high-rye recipe of 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley, bottled at 90 proof. Diageo opened the Bulleit distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, in 2017. It is a dependable choice for an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.
Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon
The sister bottle to the wheated version above, made from 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley. It is aged more than five years and bottled at 90 proof.
Jim Beam Black 7 Year
Jim Beam relaunched Black in 2024 with a 7-year age statement at 90 proof. Seven years of age at this price is hard to find, which makes it one of the better values in the category.
The 1792 Lineup
1792 Bourbon is made at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, which has been operating since 1879 and is owned by the Sazerac Company. The name refers to the year Kentucky became a state. Three expressions fall under $50:
- 1792 Small Batch: bottled at 93.7 proof.
- 1792 Single Barrel: each bottle comes from one barrel, bottled at 98.6 proof, so expect small differences from barrel to barrel.
- 1792 Full Proof: first released in 2016 and bottled at 125 proof, the same proof the spirit went into the barrel at.
Higher Proof for the Money
Wild Turkey 101 (1 Liter)
Wild Turkey 101 is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and bottled at 101 proof. The 1 liter size gives you a third more whiskey than a standard 750ml bottle.
Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger
Bottled by Nevada H&C Distilling Co. in Las Vegas, The Younger is uncut and unfiltered, meaning it goes into the bottle at barrel proof without filtering. The proof changes from batch to batch, so check the label. Add a few drops of water if it runs hot.
How to Choose
- New to bourbon or prefer a gentle sip: start with Larceny or Green River Wheated.
- Mixing cocktails: Bulleit, Jim Beam Black or Wild Turkey 101 hold up well with bitters, vermouth and ice.
- Want more flavor and heat: 1792 Full Proof or Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger.
Want to look beyond this price range? Browse our full bourbon collection. We ship from California to 44 states, and an adult signature (21+) is required on delivery. We cannot ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Michigan, South Dakota, Tennessee or Utah.
