Bourbon has cemented itself as the quintessential American spirit, and that means its fanatics are willing to pay a premium. Bourbon connoisseurs pay hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of dollars for bottles that, only a couple decades prior, collected dust on retail shelves (see: Blanton’s). As certain bottles become out of reach, and new ones enter the marketplace, it can be hard to know where to turn for reliable, affordable bourbon, so we asked a selection of bartenders from around the world for their essential bottles for mixing.
“Bourbon is a spirit that we think is one of the most versatile to mix with,” says Tom Godfrey, owner and co-founder of newly opened FOCO in Barcelona. “If the drink is stirred, shaken or thrown, carbonated and served tall, or even blended, bourbon and American whiskey in general plays so well with so many fresh ingredients as well as alcoholic modifiers.”
Godfrey also acknowledges that bourbon’s affordable price point—typically between $25 and $35 for cocktail-friendly options—makes the spirit even more popular. Luckily, the range of bourbon available in 2023 is vast, giving both consumers and bartenders an array of worthwhile options to choose from.
When selecting a bottle, bartenders say they consider the general flavor profiles dictated by a bourbon’s grain mash bill and its ABV. “I like slightly punchier flavors and a higher ABV for something like a sour, where the texture from the egg white and the acidity from the lemon can take a bit of competition in the glass,” explains Rosie Greene, bar manager at Furna in Brighton, U.K. Sarah Ruiz, bar director at Juliana Bar in Guayaquil, Ecuador, agrees: “Higher-proof bourbons have more flavor after dilution and can stand up to more assertive cocktail elements,” like bright citrus or bittersweet Campari.
To cut through the array of options, here is the best bourbon for mixing, according to bartenders.
The Best Bourbon Under $50
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The New Vocabulary of Bourbon
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Woodford Reserve
It’s no surprise that Woodford Reserve’s easy-drinking straight bourbon whiskey was the most recommended bottle by our surveyed bartenders. “It’s a real crowd-pleaser,” says Greene. “It has a slightly sweeter caramel-honey finish, and is a fantastic value.”
Triple-distilled in copper pots and aged for a minimum of six years, Woodford Reserve balances sweet, spice, wood, grain, fruit and floral flavors. At 45 percent ABV, the whiskey has enough alcohol content to stand up in a range of cocktails, which is why Dave Taylor, head bartender at Bar 1661 in Dublin, called it one of the best all-arounders in the bourbon category.
- Price: $23
- ABV: 45%
Michter’s US 1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Michter’s has built something of a cult following in recent years for its elusive (and expensive) 10- and 20-year-old expressions. But it’s the brand’s core range of cocktail-friendly whiskeys—the bourbon especially—that has simultaneously established itself as a global go-to. Several of those surveyed touted Michter’s US 1 Straight Bourbon as a favorite.
“Michter’s whole portfolio is filled with delicious products,” says Godfrey, who turns to the bourbon in stronger stirred drinks, such as Manhattan-style cocktails like the Left Hand, “where the whiskey can be the hero of the drink.” Bottled at 45.7 percent ABV and produced in small batches, the stone fruit– and caramel-forward bourbon tends to skew toward the more expensive side of the spectrum, but its consistent quality keeps bartenders coming back time and time again.
- Price: $42
- ABV: 46%
Wild Turkey 101
There’s no better bang for your buck than Wild Turkey 101, according to surveyed bartenders. The bourbon, which is named after its higher proof, also has a higher rye content, making it particularly suited to cocktails. “We are massive fans of how the whiskey shines even when using a small amount, such is the case in Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s Amaretto Sour,” says Godfrey. “It’s great value for money considering how much flavor you get from a pour.”
Despite the relatively high alcohol content, Wild Turkey 101 isn’t abrasive. It has nuance and is balanced, expressing notes of cornbread, butterscotch, baking spices and a subtle woodiness. It’s a bourbon that has range and is perfect for mixing in an Old-Fashioned or Gold Rush.
- Price: $23
- ABV: 51%
Old Forester 100 Proof
Old Forester 100 Proof has been a mainstay of backbars and home bars for years, and, based on bartender recommendations, it shows no signs of stopping. Longevity is also a key to its success: In fact, Old Forester’s claim to fame is that it’s the only American whiskey brand continuously produced and owned by the same company since before Prohibition.
It’s a favorite at top New York City bar The Dead Rabbit, where bar director Ian Alexander praises the bourbon’s “nice kick at 50 percent ABV and spicy oak-driven finish,” characteristics that make this bottle ideal for mixing in cocktails. With notes of cherry and roasted nuts paired with a nuanced florality, it accommodates a range of drinks—and at its affordable price point, it’s difficult to find a better value.
- Price: $25
- ABV: 50%
Buffalo Trace
Recommended by Alexander, of The Dead Rabbit, and Federico Pavan, director of mixology at The Donovan Bar in London’s Brown’s Hotel, Buffalo Trace is a flagship label that can be found in nearly every liquor store. It’s aged for a minimum of eight years—a staggering maturation time for a bourbon that can often be found at just $25.
“Buffalo Trace has a lovely round and creamy texture with notes of caramel and nougat that makes it great in classic cocktails,” says Alexander. With such an accessible flavor, Buffalo Trace is the perfect starter bourbon and a fine place to begin a journey into the world of whiskey cocktails.
- Price: $32
- ABV: 45%
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Old Grand-Dad was created by Raymond B. Hayden, a third-generation distiller, in 1882. The name is in honor of Hayden’s own grandfather, Basil Hayden Sr., whose other namesake bourbon is familiar to most enthusiasts. But aside from the likable label, bartenders have also been partial to the high-rye bourbon inside the bottle.
“I find myself reaching for Old Grand-Dad Bonded when making more spirit-forward cocktails,” says Ruiz. “Bottled at 100 proof, this high-rye bourbon brings a peppery spiciness and bold boozy lift to any stirred cocktail.” She also describes the bourbon as rich, capable of giving cocktails more depth and character. “It does a great job of carrying the cocktails without overpowering them.”
- Price: $27
- ABV: 50%
Four Roses Small Batch
A cult favorite in bourbon enthusiast circles, Four Roses Small Batch is a blend of four bourbon recipes produced by the distillery, with a minimum age of six to seven years. The result is a bourbon that Dennis Silva, head bartender at Nkiru Bar in Las Condes, Chile, describes as “great value for money, with an intense spiced aroma and flavor, woodiness and sweetness that is delicious on ice, but also in a Manhattan.”
At 45 percent ABV, the robust Small Batch bourbon never gets lost in a cocktail, regardless of whether it’s shaken or stirred. It’s undoubtedly a step up from the distillery’s Four Roses Straight Bourbon expression (typically known as Four Roses Yellow Label), and at a relatively lower cost, the Small Batch makes a strong case for a place on the bar cart.
- Price: $34
- ABV: 45%
