5 Award-Winning Bourbons Under $50

5 Award-Winning Bourbons Under $50

Listen, if you’re like me – a guy who loves a good pour after mowing the lawn or watching the game – you don’t wanna drop two bills on a bottle just to impress somebody. Good news is you don’t have to. These five bourbons have all brought home major medals in the last few years, and none of ‘em will make your wallet cry. I still remember the first time I cracked open one of these instead of my usual go-to… let’s just say my buddies thought I’d gone high-roller on ‘em. Nope, just smart shopping.

Wild Turkey 101 – The Classic Badass

This one’s been kicking around forever and still wins blind tastings left and right (gold medals at San Francisco World Spirits Comp like it’s no big deal). Big bold rye spice, vanilla, and that nice warm hug at 101 proof. Perfect neat or in an old fashioned when you wanna feel like a boss without spending like one. Usually hangs right around 25 bucks. Buy it now!

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond – Best Bang for Buck

Don’t let the black label fool ya, this white-label hero is 100 proof, aged at least four years, and keeps taking home double golds. Sweet corn, caramel, a little oak – tastes way older than the price tag. I keep a handle in the garage fridge for poker nights. Runs about 18-20 dollars and nobody ever complains. Buy it now!

Old Forester 100 Proof – The Underdog Champ

Old Fo slapped a gold at the 2024 World Whisky Awards and folks are finally noticing. Rich toffee, baking spices, and a long finish that punches above its weight class. At 100 proof it stands up great on the rocks or in a manhattan. You can usually grab it for 27-32 bucks depending on your state. Buy it now!

Larceny Bourbon – The Wheated Smooth Operator

Made with wheat instead of rye so it’s softer and sweeter – think butterscotch and baked apple pie. Took home best in class at San Fran a couple years running. Perfect for guys who say they “don’t like bourbon” (yeah right). Bottle looks fancy too, but it’s normally under 30 bones. Buy it now!

Four Roses Small Batch Select – The Overachiever

This one’s a blend of six different recipes and it absolutely cleans up at competitions – double gold everywhere. Peppery up front, then big fruit and caramel on the back. 104 proof but drinks smoother than most 90-proof stuff. Hovers right at 45-50 bucks, still a steal when you see what else costs that much. Buy it now!

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