Yahoo Lifestyle 20 Best Whiskey Brands That Won’t Break the Bank
- 1/21
20 Best Whiskey Brands That Won’t Break the Bank
A $300 bottle of bourbon, in this economy? Sure, when looking for the best whiskey brands, you could fall for the marketing hype and hyper-inflation of ultra-top shelf names. But most of us are looking to buy a high-quality brown spirit that won't break the bank, particularly when we want to try our hand at home mixology and take a break from a canned cocktail. So for our list of best affordable whiskeys, we capped the price per standard 750-mL bottle at $60 — a respectable amount to drop on a gift for the foodie in your life (perhaps with a top-tested cocktail shaker?)—with almost half of the winners coming in at under $40 and an even cheaper champ (around $24!) that surpassed competitors nearly triple the cost.
It’s worth mentioning that while we tried plenty of popular whiskey brands, many of the winners come from smaller producers (some we’d never heard of!) who don’t have huge marketing teams. The benefit: That translates to an incredible value passed on to the customer. Most of what the bottle costs goes toward the product inside — not offsetting advertising budgets.
Our top picks
Whether your favorite is bourbon, rye, Irish whiskey or Scotch, or whiskies that are Japanese or Canadian (note: Scotland, Canada and Japan spell “whisky” without the 'E'), we’ve got the best bottle for each category. Looking for the smoothest whiskeys on the market? We've got you covered. We tasted 90 whiskeys (not all at once) to clue you in on which ones are best neat versus in classic cocktails or over a perfectly made clear ice cube. You’ll also find a flavor profile of each winner, why we loved it and what made it shine above the rest during our tasting of flights. Ultimately, our goal was for you to score great booze without getting bamboozled. Cheers to that!
Danielle Daly - 2/21
1) Small Batch Bourbon
Elijah Craig
drizly.com
The platonic ideal of Kentucky bourbon, this small-batch offering exhibits the classic notes of caramel and vanilla, with a tinge of fresh herbs. "The overall richness on the palate blends well in both spirit-forward, bitter drinks, as well as more fruity and refreshing applications," says John deBary, author of the forthcoming Saved by the Bellini: & Other 90s-Inspired Cocktails. Try it in a classic Old Fashioned cocktail.
Starting at $35
drizly.com - 3/21
2) Rare Breed Whiskey
Wild Turkey
drizly.com
This high-octane pick clocks in at over 112 proof yet drinks velvety smooth. A scent of sweet raisins gives way to a rich, nuanced bourbon threaded with notes of cloves and tobacco, eventually lingering with spice on the finish. "Maybe my favorite bourbon ever," says Michael Guagno, bartender and spirits consultant. "It perfectly illustrates how barrel-proof whiskey can actually be more approachable and less 'hot' than ones that are proofed down."
Starting at $55
drizly.com - 4/21
3) Bourbon Whiskey
Breckenridge
drizly.com
Distilled in Breckenridge, Colorado, this bourbon uses snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains and has an above-average percentage of rye, distinguishing itself from other bourbons that can taste cloyingly sweet. "The high rye content and use of mountain water make this one of my favorite American whiskeys," says John deBary, cocktail book author and bar expert. "It's super complex with the rye spice balanced by a lovely butterscotchy softness."
Starting at $39
drizly.com - 5/21
4) Red Wine Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey
Basil Hayden
totalwine.com
$66.99
A stint in California red wine barrels gives this Kentucky bourbon a silky smoothness, richer color and layers of flavor. It still has all the hallmarks of bourbon: toasted marshmallow aromas and burnt sugar on the finish but hums with herbaceous, fresh forest notes.
Starting at $56
totalwine.com - 6/21
5) Small Batch Bourbon
Four Roses
totalwine.com
This lighter, brighter bourbon opens with a nose of fragrant vanilla caramel perked up with citrus notes. At just 90 proof, it makes for an easy sip on its own but can also handle a large ice cube.
Starting at $37
totalwine.com - 7/21
6) Straight Rye Whiskey
FEW
drizly.com
A 100% grain-to-glass Illinois whiskey (using only locally sourced ingredients), Few's opening gambit is a heady dose of raisiny caramel. The next move is a sip brimming with notes of brown sugar, citrus and spice. It's a fruit-forward, almost buttery whiskey that will win over any rye lover. Check and mate.
Starting at $40
drizly.com - 8/21
7) Roknar 100% Rye Whiskey
Far North Spirits
somegoodwine.com
The most distinctive of the ryes we tasted, this single-origin Minnesota whiskey packs a wallop of mouthwatering flavors in each 375-mL bottle. A very inviting scent of fresh cedar, orange zest and brown sugar ventures into a palate reminiscent of just-baked oatmeal cookies. The spicy rye tingles on the finish without overwhelming.
Starting at $28
somegoodwine.com - 9/21
8) Straight Rye Whiskey
Old Overholt
totalwine.com
In a blind tasting of rye-based Manhattans, this thrifty pick outclassed its much pricier counterparts. Tasters found it made the most smooth drink that was beautifully balanced and simply delicious. Try it in a Ginger-Sage Rye Cocktail.
Starting at $22
totalwine.com - 10/21
9) Rye Whiskey
Sazerac
drizly.com
If the idea of cinnamon rolls kicked up with anise and pepper whets your appetite, wet your whistle with this New Orleans rye. Fresh with scents of grass and the signature spicy bite of rye, this one excels in cocktails and makes for an enjoyable neat sipper as well.
Starting at $26
RELATED: 45 Best Fall Cocktails That'll Keep You Cozy on an Autumn Day
drizly.com - 11/21
10) Great King Street Artist's Scotch Whisky
Compass Box
caskers.com
With notes of apple pie a la mode, dried apricot and toasted oak, this soft, supple Scotch is a steal. "At the price point, there is nothing that even comes close in terms of drinkability neat or on the rocks and versatility in cocktails," according to John deBary, bar expert and cocktail book author.
Starting at $29
caskers.com - 12/21
11) 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glenfiddich
totalwine.com
This smooth, mellow Scotch is for the peat-shy. Aromatic pear and apple on the nose transitions to the classic Speyside profile: apples, pear, honey and spices. "For its availability and modest price, it's amazing how good it is," says spirits consultant Michael Guagno. "There's lots of dried fruit and pastry notes, evoking a scone with raisins."
Starting at $54
totalwine.com - 13/21
12) 8 Year Single Malt Islay Scotch Whisky
Port Askaig
moraswines.com
With an initial whiff of fresh-cut grass in the rain, this peaty single malt is a gin-lover's Scotch. The raspy burn of the first sip mellows into an earthy, barnyard funk and ends with a finish that lingers with botanical intrigue.
Starting at $60
moraswines.com - 14/21
13) 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey
Redbreast
onlineliquor.com
This very approachable Irish whiskey, fragrant with vanilla and baking spices, is our easy-sipping pick for novice whiskey drinkers, yet with a tasty profile that will appeal to more experienced imbibers. The finish is resonant, with a light thrum of spicy heat.
Starting at $60
onlineliquor.com - 15/21
14) Black Barrel Irish Whiskey
Jameson
drizly.com
Abundant with aromas of butterscotch, citrus peel and sweet spices, this bottling from Jameson is aged in flame-charred barrels. The result is a whiskey that's nutty and rich with a toasted wood finish — the perfect dram in an Irish coffee.
Starting at $52
RELATED: 25 Best St. Patrick's Day Drinks That Will Bring You Extra Luck
drizly.com - 16/21
15) Fine Deluxe Blended Canadian Whiskey
Crown Royal
drizly.com
Perhaps the most famous whisky from our neighbors up north, this full-bodied offering gives crème brûlée vibes with a rich, almost creamy mouthfeel. Find notes of caramel, vanilla and oak, all contained in a bottle that's baroque but won't leave you broke.
Starting at $42
drizly.com - 17/21
16) Iwai Tradition Whisky
Mars Shinshu
caskers.com
A leaner style that's smooth and easy to drink, Iwai Tradition leads with vanilla on the nose, immediately followed by hints of cherry, toffee, brine and peat on the palate. Rounding out the profile are slight traces of smoke and plastic bandages, similar to what's found in many fine Scotches.
Starting at $29
caskers.com - 18/21
17) Toki Whisky
Suntory
caskers.com
This pretty, delicate sipper from Suntory is the Katie Taylor of Japanese whiskies: It punches well above its weight. "The Toki is a great springtime whisky," says Michael Guagno, bartender and spirits consultant, "because it brings to mind honey and white flowers." Exhibiting notes of grapefruit and a crisp, clean finish, it's a total knockout for the price.
Starting at $29
caskers.com - 19/21
18) Koval Four Grain Whiskey
Koval
drizly.com
Distilled with a blend of oat, malted barley, rye and wheat in the mash of grains, this smooth Illinois stunner is the Goldilocks of whiskeys: not too sweet, not too spicy, it's juuust right. It's also one of the few whiskeys that are certified kosher AND organic.
Starting at $44
drizly.com - 20/21
19) 77 Rye Whiskey
Breuckelen
drizly.com
This Brooklyn-made whiskey is the bourbon-drinkers gateway to rye-landia. The 10% corn in the predominantly rye mash softens the edges of the spicy grain. A nose of sweet caramel corn transitions to a smooth sip that's honeyed and herbaceous with a dry finish.
Starting at $50
drizly.com - 21/21
20) Johnny Smoking Gun Whiskey
Two James
reservebar.com
The makers crafted this umami-rich whiskey specifically to pair with the food at their Detroit ramen joint, Johnny Noodle King. The grains in the mash are a blend of 70% light corn and 30% rye distilled with smoked tea, lending the final product its leather and tobacco notes and signature smolder.
Starting at $49
reservebar.com
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Hunting for the best bourbon whiskey or your new favorite Scotch whiskey? These are the best whiskey brands, according to our experts. And they're affordable!
