Guide to Inexpensive (But Tasty) Whiskies
We get a steady stream of posts asking about good quality whiskey that doesn’t cost too much. Here’s a quick write-up to cover the most popular responses to these types of posts plus some extras that many perhaps haven’t considered before.
A quick aside: this can be a tricky question to answer for a few reasons
- “Inexpensive” can mean different things to different people. One person’s “cheap” $30 bottle might be another person’s occasional splurge bottle.
- The type of whiskey can affect how people perceive value. For instance, most regard a $30 Single Malt Scotch as inexpensive and entry-level. Whereas bourbon at the same price could be viewed as higher-end.
- Pricing varies by region. For instance, bourbon can be pretty inexpensive in the U.S. whereas it can get a lot more expensive in other countries where import costs and taxes drive up prices.
In this guide, I’ll assume you live in the U.S. in a state that doesn’t have especially high taxes on liquor.
#Bourbon/Rye
In the U.S., bourbon can offer tremendous value in the lower price ranges. Check these out:
| Name | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mellow Corn | $10-13 | An oddball corn whiskey with a kitschy classic label that’s remarkably good for price |
| Evan Williams Black Label | $11-14 | Lots of brown sugar. Simple but pleasant. |
| Evan Williams Bottled in Bond (White Label) | $15-18 | A higher strength version of the black label which means more concentrated flavors and a longer finish |
| Dickel Rye | $18-23 | Comparable to and less expensive than Bulleit Rye |
| Old Grandad Bottled in Bond | $20-25 | A bit spicier with a full, sweet flavor |
| Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond | $20-25 | Spicier, herbal and a touch less sweet. |
| Wild Turkey 101 | $20-25 | Cherry and vanilla with a toasty oak backbone. One of the most commonly recommended value bottles |
| Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye | $20-25 | A tasty Canadian Rye with unique green apple characteristics |
| Buffalo Trace | $20-25 | Classic bourbon profile with big vanilla sweetness and oak |
| Old Ezra 101 7 year | $23-27 | Similar to Henry McKenna 10. It has patchy distribution and can sometimes get labelled as “Virgin Bourbon 101” in a few states. |
| Evan Williams Single Barrel | $23-27 | A prototypical and well-rounded bourbon |
| Elijah Craig Small Batch | $25-30 | |
| Old Grandad 114 | $25-30 | Higher strength and remarkably tasty for the price |
#Scotch/Irish
Malt whiskies can be a little tougher to recommend because they tend to age longer and cost more. Moreover, blends take up most of the lower shelf space which means they contain a significant percentage of less-flavorful grain whiskey.
| Name | Price range | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tullamore DEW | $20-25 | Irish | Light and easy-drinking |
| Speyburn 10 | $23-26 | Speyside Single Malt Scotch | Lighter and sweeter with a bit more flavor |
| Black Bottle | $23-26 | Blended Scotch | Lightly peated |
| Powers Gold | $25-30 | Irish | |
| Cutty Sark Prohibition | $25-30 | Blended Scotch | A bit higher strength with fuller flavors |
| Monkey Shoulder | $30 | Blended Malt Scotch | One of the most popular value bottle recommendations |
| Glenfiddich 12 | $30-35 | Speyside Single Malt Scotch | Light sweet with a distinctive pear flavor |
| Glenmorangie 10 | $30-35 | Speyside Single Malt Scotch | Scotland's most popular Single Malt! |
| Johnnie Walker Black Label | $30-35 | Blended Scotch | Widely available with balanced flavors |
| Tomatin 12 | $30-35 | Highland Single Malt Scotch | Sherried & sweeter |
| Glen Moray 12 | $30-35 | Speyside Single Malt Scotch | Finished in Chardonnay wine casks |
| Pig’s Nose | $30-35 | Blended Scotch | |
| Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend | $35-40 | Blended Scotch | |
| Old Pulteney 12 | $35-40 | Highland Single Malt Scotch | Distinctive fruitiness & saltiness |
| Laphroaig 10 | $40-50 | Islay Single Malt Scotch | Just about the best value in Heavily Peated Malts |
You can also save money by buying 1.75L bottles (a.k.a. “handles”) but only the most widely-available bottles tend to get offered in this format.
If you have any additional suggestions for inexpensive bottles, please list them below! Thanks for reading
Posted Nov 18, 2018, 5:17 PM UTC · edited