9 Delicious Whiskeys That Are Cheap And Easy To Find, According To Bartenders

Tasting Table ^ | 11/2/2025 | Nic Szabo

[simpson96]

(snip) All you need to do is buy the right product, and you'll be experiencing top-shelf tastes at a bottom-shelf cost. To make sure you're getting the best of the best without overpaying, we turned to a slew of experienced bartenders from across the country to get their choices for the best whiskeys that not only won't break the bank, but that are also readily available for anyone to find.

Evan Williams Bottled In Bond

Evan Williams bottled-in-bond has both the glowing endorsements of numerous bartenders, and an authentication from the U.S. government to boot. The government supervised requirements for a liquor to be labeled as 'bottled-in-bond' come courtesy of the appropriately named Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897, which is responsible for establishing quality bourbon in the U.S. But enough with the history lesson — we're looking to drink some quality whiskey on the cheap here. Though prices may vary for all of these options of course, Evan Williams bottled-in-bond is a good place to start, coming in at $20 for a liter.(snip)

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch

Same brand, different batch — the only difference is that this one's a lot smaller. Pulled from only 200 barrels but still readily available, Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch honors its centuries-old heritage by naming this extra-aged bourbon after the year the company founded the first distillery in Kentucky. (snip) it generally comes in around $15 for a 750 milliliter bottle (snip)

Elijah Craig Small Batch

lijah Craig Small Batch is an award winning whiskey that's been stored in a level 3 charred oak barrel, meaning that the bourbon barrel was charred in fire for 35 seconds. There's certainly a reason that bourbon has to be aged in charred oak barrels, but to keep things simple for our purposes, just know that it helps with the flavor and at least in this case, helps provide a warm spice and smoky taste. It's a bit pricier, averaging between $28-$30 for a fifth, but with all the work involved, it's easy to see why.(snip)

Rittenhouse Rye

Rittenhouse Rye may have a notable flavor difference with some of the other bourbons on our list, which may have to do with the fact that it's a slight deviation from the Kentucky dominance of this list. Though it's now produced out of the Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky, it's name actually comes from up north, specifically Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. Wherever it's from however, it has fans from all over the country. General manager and beverage director Sebastian Estes of Katsubo in Charleston, South Carolina recommends it not only from the price perspective (it comes in at around $25), but from a nostalgia factor as well.(snip0

Old Forester 86 Proof

(snip) "Old Forester 86 Proof is one of those bourbons that proves you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy something truly good," says Villani. "It's got that distinct Kentucky character — rich with caramel and spice — that makes it just as enjoyable neat as it is in a cocktail. It's a wallet-friendly whiskey that's become a reliable go-to for me."

Four Roses Yellow Label

Four Roses knows how to make a good bourbon — and you need look no further than a bottle of its Yellow Label to prove it. We can get into all the facts to know about Four Roses bourbon another day, and instead, focus our attention on the bartenders who swear by it (snip) "A high-rye, 80-proof blend of 10 different Four Roses whiskies, their flagship bourbon showcases honey, vanilla, caraway, and orchard fruit. A real value for money when you don't have a single barrel budget."

Wild Turkey 101

"The gold standard for high-quality, at-home bourbon cocktails," and lists notes of a diverse list of flavors from brown sugar to seasoned oak. All told, McLaurin claims that 101 provides "unmatched flavor and complexity for the price." That price by the way, comes in around $22 for a 750 milliliter bottle

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

If you're looking for value when it comes to popular bourbons, then look no further than Buffalo Place distillery's namesake — Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Not every distillery can earn the honor of being designated as a National Historic Landmark, but when you can make the claim that your bourbon has won over 100 awards from various competitions since 2000, what's one more accolade to add to the trophy case? (snip) "It's versatile, it goes in anything or nothing and is well priced." With it coming in at $30 for a 750 milliliter bottle, we'd have to agree.  

Tullamore D.E.W.

We're not only getting out of Kentucky for our final entry, we're leaving the whole dang country and heading over to Ireland for — what else? — good old fashioned Irish whiskey. Tullamore's Original Irish Whiskey is triple-blended for a taste that combines elements of sweetness, fruitiness, and spice that'll make you feel like you've taken a vacation to your local pub for a glass of the good stuff. (snip) while Tullamore D.E.W. is good in cocktails, it's a great choice if you're looking for a simple whiskey on its own, saying, "You don't need to hide any off-putting flavors or "cheap" notes."

---

TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: bourbon; kentucky

[Repeal The 17th]

Elmer T. Lee Bourbon is good...
...if you can find it...
...if you can afford it...

[old school]

Early Times.

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

And, remember, alcohol kills brain cells, but only the weak ones.

The exception to the above statement is if you are a leftist creepozoid. Billary, Pelousy, Que Mala, ET AL.

For the above creeps, I believe a rewrite of one of my parents Irish songs is in order.

Instead of “Drunk Last Night, Drunk The Night Before”

Drunk Last Hour
Drunk The Hour Before
Gonna Get Drunk This Hour
Like I’ve Never Been Drunk Before

[Bringbackthedraft]

Old Crow, where did it go? It was U.S. Grant’s favorite.

[DAC21]

“Old Crow, where did it go?”

Still available, dirt cheap. Probably tastes dirt cheap.

[Bobalu]

Old Walmart

[Lurker]

Costco Barton 1792.

$29.95 for a 750 ml.

Grab it when you find it.

L

[usconservative]

Not a fan of Tullamore DEW at all.

Four Roses Small Batch, Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve -- YES.

[SomeCallMeTim]

For value? Old Forester 100 proof is, hands down, the best

Four Roses Small batch is also very good

[usconservative]

And, remember, alcohol kills brain cells, but only the weak ones.

Alcohol does not kill brain cells, not even the kel;iophu9o onezniopiohp[nuiobhnuo[p

[daler]

Best cheap Canadian whisky?

Black Velvet, hands down.

[Hang'emAll]

Yes to your choices plus Woodford double oaked
I will also add Angel Envy

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Compared to my favorite scotch jack #9 is hard to beat. Smooth and tasty.

[Pocketdoor]

Ahhh I thread I can relate too.
So Seagrams 7 make a wonderful tasting Honey Whiskey. Great straight or even with a little ice and water.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Don’t need the weak ones.

[xkaydet65]

I remember as a kid going out for dinner with my parents. My mom would order a Manhattan made with Four Roses whiskey, not bourbon. When I was cleaning out my uncle’s house 10 years ago I found a bottle of Four Roses blended. I took it home, tasted it and made a Manhattan and remembered my mom.

[usconservative]

For value? Old Forester 100 proof is, hands down, the best

I've not had that one, will have to look for it.

I'm shocked Wild Turkey 101 is as good as it is. Actually, it's amazing (considering it's Wild Turkey which has a "mid-shelf" kind of reputation.)

Given the alcohol taxes here in Tennessee, my next trip up to Illinois this weekend I'm gonna clear out my favorite liquor store of some brands and bring it all back here.

That'll be my LAST TRIP to Illinois if I can help it.

I never want to leave Tennessee ever again.

[griswold3]

Tullamore D.E.W Is fighting liquor. Stay with the Jameson. Speaking from experience

[youthphil]

All a matter of taste. I just finished a bottle of Garrison Brothers Single Barrel cask strength at 150.3 proof, and it was okay. Definitely not worth buying (which I didn’t- it was a gift). I like Old Crow for a daily sipper. Can’t beat the price! My favorite so far may be the James E Pepper.