¶ The Best Bourbons Under $100 Ranked
Many of these bourbons are single barrel releases or bourbons that are released by batches every year, so mileage may vary, but what these best bourbons under $100 have proven is that they consistently produce gold-ranked bourbon. Another interesting fact: the majority of these are higher proof bourbons — let’s call it over 100 proof.
¶ #1 – Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $79.99
buffalotracedistillery.com
E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Reviews
Hunting Notes: Another big, bold high proof from Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Awards:
- 2017 Gold Medal – New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2017 Silver Outstanding Medal – International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2017 Gold Medal
- 2017 Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge – 94 points
- 2016 Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2016 Gold Medal-Best Non-Age Statement Bourbon – World Whiskies Awards
- 2015 Gold Medal – New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge – 92 points
¶ #2 – Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Proof - √
Availability: Limited Distribution
Distillery: Four Roses Distillery
Location: Lawrenceburg, KY
MSRP: $79.99
fourrosesbourbon.com
Hunting Notes: Find all 10 Four Roses recipes and always look at the tier (Pro Tip: tier 4 and higher).
¶ #3 – Booker’s Bourbon
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery
Location: Clermont, KY
MSRP: $99.99
bookersbourbon.com
Reviews and Rankings:
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches List
- Booker’s C-J-06-86 Review (Dusty)
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2020 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches | List of Booker’s Batches
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2021 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2020 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2019 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2018 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2017 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2016 Ranked
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches 2015 Ranked
Hunting Notes: Booker’s release four batches per year, and their batches are consistently some of the best tasting bourbons readily available. I have also been lucky enough to find older batches on the shelves in GA. Look behind what’s in the front for some older release. Pro tip: 2015 was the best year in my opinion for Bookers. Every single batch that year was phenomenal, but Big Man, Little Batch 2015-01, and Center Cut 2015-03 are all-time greats.
¶ #4 – Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot “B” 12 Year
Availability: Highly Allocated
Distillery: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $79.99
oldripvanwinkle.com
Hunting Notes: See Old Rip above. If you have the choice between the two, I’d go for Lot B. It’s more rounded and buttery.
¶ #5 – Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co.
Location: Louisville, KY
MSRP: $79.99
oldforester.com
Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Review
Hunting Notes: The OFSBBS hit shelves in 2020, and it caused no small stir.
¶ #6 – Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
Availability: Highly Allocated
Distillery: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $69.99
oldripvanwinkle.com
Hunting Notes: Bourbon OGs may be laughing but for this list to be consistent I’m sticking with MSRP for the pricing. You will be hard-pressed to find this at retail without a little luck or spending a ton of money through the year at a single store. But it’s well worth the price if you can find it.
¶ #7 – Wilderness Trail 6-Year-Old
Availability: Limited Distribution
Distillery: Wilderness Trail Distillery
Location: Dansville, KY
MSRP: $79.99
wildernesstraildistillery.com/spirits
Wilderness Trail 6-Year-Old Review | Buy
Hunting Notes: Best Aged Sweet Mash Bourbon Whiskey
¶ #8 – Weller Antique 107
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $50
buffalotracedistillery.com
Weller Antique Review
Hunting Notes: This wheated bourbon is rarely disparaged and met with near-universal love. It’s a flagship wheated bourbon for one of the most popular bourbon brands. Fill your shelves if you get the chance. Hunt in GA, TX, and OH.
¶ #9 – Weller Full Proof
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $49.99
buffalotracedistillery.com
Weller Full Proof Review
Hunting Notes: I’m seeing Weller Full Proof a-plenty in GA along with lots of store picks.
¶ #10 – Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered
Availability: Limited Distribution
Distillery: Nevada H&C Distilling Co
Location: Las Vegas, NV
MSRP: $69.99
nevadadistilling.com
Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered Review
Hunting Notes: I can’t recommend this uncut unfiltered bourbon enough especially at this price point.
¶ #11 – Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $59.99
buffalotracedistillery.com
Stagg Jr. Reviewed
Hunting Notes: This bourbon is traditional with high proofs (130+), big bold flavors, and a lot of upsides with every batch.
Awards:
- 2020 Double Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2019 Gold Medal – New York World Spirits Competition
- 2019 Gold Medal – Whiskies of the World
- 2019 Bronze Medal – North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition
- 2019 Gold Medal – Los Angeles International Spirits Competition
- 2019 Gold Medal – American Whiskey Masters
- 2019 Double Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2019 Silver Medal – World Whiskies Awards
- 2019 Double Gold Medal – Denver International Spirits Competition
¶ #12 – Larceny Barrel Proof
Availability: Limited Distribution
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
Location: Bardstown, KY
MSRP: $54.99
larcenybourbon.com
Reviews:
Hunting Notes: This 2020 newcomer is one of the best bourbons to drink neat. It’s a full-bodied wheated bourbon that won’t disappoint.
¶ #13 – Maker’s Mark Private Select
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery
Location: Loretto, KY
MSRP: $69.99
makersmark.com/makers-mark-private-selection
Hunting Notes: Each Maker’s Mark Private Select is different because different finishing staves are used. Find a stave combination you like and look for those. I love the Roasted French Mocha.
¶ #14 – Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $79.99
buffalotracedistillery.com
Hunting Notes: 2020 saw the restart of store picks for Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrels and the bourbon geeks said, “Amen.”
¶ #15 – Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co.
Location: Louisville, KY
MSRP: $54.99
oldforester.com
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky Review
Hunting Notes: Old Forester 1910 is a double-barreled bourbon with smoothness and richness that’s ideal for sipping and pairs great with a full-bodied cigar.
¶ #16 – Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co.
Location: Louisville, KY
MSRP: $60
oldforester.com
Hunting Notes: Old Fo’s 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon is a not-so-secret barrel proof favorite among bourbonphiles in the know.
¶ #17 – Barrell Bourbon
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Barrell Crafts Spirits
Location: Louisville, KY
MSRP: $90
barrellbourbon.com
Reviews
Hunting Notes: Barrell Bourbon never releases the same batch twice so your mileage may vary. But they consistently put out well craft blends of uncut unfiltered barrel proof bourbon. I highly recommend checking out their Dovetail and New Year bourbon releases as well.
¶ #18 – Four Roses Small Batch Select
Availability: Limited Distribution
Distillery: Four Roses Distillery
Location: Lawrenceburg, KY
MSRP: $59.99
fourrosesbourbon.com
Hunting Notes: This bourbon is only 104 proof with complex and easily definable flavors without palate fatigue or burnout. One of the best values for the price.
¶ #19 – Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
Location: Bardstown, KY
MSRP: $69.99
elijahcraig.com/barrel-proof
Hunting Notes: Regularly a top-rated bourbon and target for proof whores.
¶ #20 – Uncle Nearest 1856 Tennessee Whiskey
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Nearest Green Distillery
Location: Shelbyville, TN
MSRP: $69.99
unclenearest.com
Hunting Notes: It’s going to sound cliche, but it’s one of the smoothest whiskeys at 100 proof.
¶ #21 – Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery
Location: Lynchburg, TN
MSRP: $75.99
jackdaniels.com
Hunting Notes: Yes Jack Daniels is bourbon, and, yes, their barrel proof is delicious. Get over it.
¶ #22 – Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Location: Nashville, TN
MSRP: $60
bellemeadebourbon.com/reserve
Hunting Notes: This is a punch you in the face full proof bourbon. Rumor has it that Greenbrier Distillery is discontinuing this cask strength so buy them while you can.
¶ #23 – Blanton’s Original Single Barrel
Availability: Allocated
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfurt, KY
MSRP: $69.99
blantonsbourbon.com
Hunting Notes: Blanton’s is often the newbie bourbon lover’s unicorn, and the bourbon some people love to hate. The truth? Somewhere in between. Well worth the price at close to retail.
¶ #24 – Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel - √
Availability: Readily Available
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Location: Lawrenceburg, KY
MSRP: $65.99
wildturkeybourbon.com
Hunting Notes: Russell’s Reserve is like a hitter than can go yard on any at-bat. Any given single barrel pick has the potential to be a home run. A great barrel can be better than just about anything.
Source: https://www.thebourbonbard.com/best-bourbons-under-100/