10 Best Sipping Bourbon under $100 | Best Deal for the Money

Why spend more money than you have to when you can get an excellent sipping bourbon for less? Ten of the best bourbons on the market right now cost under $100, and they all make a great gift if you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank. 

Read on to find out which bourbons are worth your hard-earned dollar. If your favorite isn’t included in our list, be sure to take a look at our other guides, “The 10 Best Bourbons Under $150” and “The 10 Best Bourbons Under $100. “

10 Best Sipping Bourbon Under $100 

1. Old Fitzgerald Bourbon

Old Fitzgerald is a classic that’s been around since the 1870s, and they make it in a variety of sizes, including a small bottle that’s just right for sipping. The color is deep red, and the taste has caramel, vanilla, and toffee notes. It’s often served neat or on the rocks, but we prefer it neat because it’s smooth without being watery. 

Several other flavors to choose from include lemon, mint chocolate chip ice cream, cherry vanilla, pumpkin spice, cinnamon sugar, pecan pie, caramel apple pie, pumpkin pie, and more. While you can find it online from time to time, it’s the best way to get a hold of this Bourbon for under $100.

2. Old Forester Signature 100 Proof Bourbon

This is another classic that’s been around for over a hundred years, and the proof is perfect for sipping. The color is warm gold, and the taste has notes of caramel and baking spices. Served on the rocks with a twist or neat, it’s a great go-to choice that won’t break your budget.

3. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond

Heaven Hill Distilleries make this Bourbon, and it’s their top-selling Bourbon. It’s been around since 1803 and has a rich taste that’s well worth the price.

The color is dark brown with reddish hues, and the taste has notes of caramel, cinnamon, oak, vanilla, and a hint of fresh-baked bread. It’s best served neat or on the rocks.

4. Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Another favorite from Heaven Hill Distilleries is Jefferson’s small-batch of bourbon whiskey, named after our first president because he was known to enjoy a drink or two himself (just saying).

It’s a tiny batch, so the supply runs out quickly, and when it’s gone, it may be gone for good. The color is dark amber with a reddish hue, and the taste has notes of caramel, butterscotch, cocoa powder, and oak. It’s best served neat or on the rocks.

5. Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon is made in small batches, so you know you’re getting a quality product every time. It has a medium body with oak spice notes, brown sugar, cornbread, vanilla bean, and honeycomb. It’s best served neat or on the rocks.

6. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Four Roses is a staple in our country’s history, and they make an excellent bourbon that has been around since 1943. The color is amber to light gold, and the taste has notes of rich vanilla and honey. It’s well worth the price, even if it isn’t cheap, and it tastes great on the rocks or in a cocktail of your choice. 

It also comes in a big bottle, so if you’re looking to get more than one of these for a gift this fall, consider purchasing it in that size instead.

7. Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark is a small batch bourbon that’s been around since the 1950s, and it generally sells for under $50. It has a taste that ranges from spicy to sweet, depending on how you take it, and it’s best served neat or on the rocks. Try mixing it with other bourbons for an extra kick.

8. Booker’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Booker’s is already a well-liked bourbon, but it gets even better when bottled at cask strength. The alcohol content is high at between 61% and 65%, but the taste is well worth it as you get caramel, vanilla, oak, honeycomb, dried fruit, brown sugar, and even chocolate.

9. Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey

Basil Hayden’s Rye is one of the most affordable rye whiskeys, but it’s still delicious. It has a rich, spicy, and sweet taste that you’ll love, and it comes in a small bottle that’s perfect for gift giving. If you want to mix it with another bourbon for a more complex flavor, try it with Jim Beam.

10. Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Knob Creek has been making Bourbon in Kentucky since the 1970s, and they not only provide you with one of the best bourbons out there, but they also give back to their community. You can enjoy their Bourbon neat or on the rocks, and it comes in a small bottle so you can give someone a gift that’s easy to carry.

Types of Whiskey

Many people don’t know the best way to enjoy Bourbon, so this article is meant to provide you with some insight into how to get the most out of your next glass. First, I’ll discuss some of the different kinds of Whiskey that you can choose from and why they’re good for drinking. Next, I’ll talk about the best methods for enjoying Bourbon so that you can get a quality experience.

Now, different whiskey types are best served differently. The most popular with sipping is a good single malt scotch, which you can find at bars and restaurants or even in liquor stores. 

A single malt scotch is better than a blended scotch because it provides you with a more full-bodied taste that lingers in your mouth. This is why it’s more popular for longer sipping, especially when served neat or on the rocks.

Another great kind of Whiskey that people enjoy is Canadian. Canadian Whiskey isn’t exactly known for its flavor, but it makes a good mixer. 

You have to keep in mind with Canadian Whiskey because it doesn’t leave much of a taste or aftertaste at all, so if you choose to drink it by itself, you’ll be disappointed with the experience.

Bourbon and American Whiskey provide another great drinking experience for those looking for something a little different from scotch and rye, which are mentioned earlier in this article. 

When you want to get a great sipping bourbon, whiskey experts recommend purchasing from known brands that have been around for many years. For example, Maker’s Mark, which was founded in the late 1940s, provides one of the best tastes on the market today.

Now that we’ve looked at some of the reasons why you might want to purchase a bottle of Bourbon or American Whiskey. Some people prefer to drink their Bourbon neat with no ice or water, while others like it on ice or with a little bit of water.

How to get the best Bourbon 

Finding the best Bourbon whiskey is not an easy task. There are so many great options out there, that it can be difficult to discern which one is your favorite. But, follow these easy steps, and you’ll find your new favorite Bourbon in no time!

Know what type of Bourbon you prefer

This might seem obvious, but knowing your flavor palate will help narrow down the field a bit. For example, you may like a sweet bourbon or something with more spice and bite? Knowing the type of flavor profile that you prefer will help bring some order to the choices (well, not all orders). 

Different bourbon ages

When you’re looking at different types of Bourbon, you may notice that they are aged in different ways. A few names to look out for:

It takes at least two years for a bourbon to be considered “Straight,” but many high-quality bourbons have been aged longer. Several factors influence the aging process, which includes climate and location. Without getting too scientific, the warmer it is where the barrels are stored (temperature and light play a role), the faster it will age.

Know where you prefer to drink your Bourbon

This is a common mistake that people make when finding the best Bourbon. Most people like their Whiskey dry and would opt for a more peaty, smoky scotch or Irish Whiskey instead. However, bourbon is a different animal altogether. Bottled in Bond (Bonded), Bourbon must be aged for at least two years, and it has an alcohol content of at least 46% ABV (American Whiskey). The majority of Bourbon comes in at around 45% ABV.

Which countries produce the best Bourbon?

The USA is by far the leading producer of Bourbon. Other countries, such as Canada, which produces great rye whiskey, and Scotland, whose single malt whiskey is also quite good. You can’t go wrong with these places when you’re looking for truly great Bourbon.

Best Bourbon in America

The best Bourbon in America is Heaven Hill, a bourbon distillery based in Bardstown, KY. It was founded by the late master distiller George Garvin Brown in 1935, and it’s their flagship product. 

The first batch of Heaven Hill Straight Bourbon Whiskey was distilled on September 22nd, 1935, and sold to wholesalers for $89 a barrel. The water for this Bourbon is drawn from the same limestone spring that George Garvin Brown drank from every day when he was alive. 

The water has been filtered through a 45-foot-deep sandstone aquifer, making it some of the purest water in the country. This allows Heaven Hill to be made with a soft, smooth finish that is not present in many other bourbons. Heaven Hill also allows no more than 19% of impurities to enter their Bourbon.

The history of Heaven Hills

George Garvin Brown was born in 1906 and spent most of his childhood in Louisville, Kentucky. He began distilling his own Whiskey while he was still just a teenager, using a still built by his father. He started a public relations company when he was 23 and quickly became one of the most successful businessmen in the country. 

He married several times but had no children, although his third wife gave birth to a son who took brown’s name after brown’s brother adopted him. At the time of his death, George Garvin Brown was worth more than $250 million. 

His main legacy lives on in Heaven Hill Whiskey, which is currently run by brown’s son Craig, grandson Craig Schenley Brown and great-grandson Parker Schenley Brown.

While Heaven Hill is the best bourbon whiskey in the country, it is still only 38th in sales among U.S. whiskey brands. Heaven Hill is distilled in Kentucky, but the Whiskey is bottled in Kentucky and shipped to retailers.

Heaven Hill Whiskey

Heaven Hill Bourbon Whiskey is a good example of a classic American bourbon whiskey, with a mellow flavor profile and a good balance of sweet, spice, and wood. This Bourbon has average to good flavor intensity at first taste, and it keeps on evolving through the tasting phase. 

Some woody notes become more prominent after some time; this Bourbon doesn’t get too complex but still makes you think of a delicious bourbon while drinking it. The aroma is very well balanced; you can smell chocolate, vanilla, and caramel tones in it.

Conclusion

Bourbon is an American whiskey that is predominantly made of corn and matured in used oak barrels. Bourbon typically gets mixed reviews, but bourbon lovers are generally passionate about their drink. Its popularity has been on the rise in recent years due to an increased demand for high-end whiskeys.

As it’s becoming increasingly popular, many small distillers have opened up shops, and large companies such as Diageo and Pernod Ricard have started importing their own Bourbon brands into the U.S. market.

Made from a blend of corn and wheat, this variety has a bolder taste than its counterpart due to the high rye content. Some enthusiasts call it “dirty dog” whiskey because of its bold taste profile; others swear by its smoothness.