15 High-End Bourbons Worth Splurging On

15 High-End Bourbons Worth Splurging On

Sometimes you want to splurge on an exceptional bottle of bourbon for yourself or a loved one. Spending over $100 demands confidence in quality, and this curated list ensures you get true value. Crafted by a bourbon expert with years of tasting experience, these 15 bourbons balance availability, price, and outstanding flavor, focusing on bottles that don’t stray far beyond the $100 mark and featuring one expression per brand.

Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel

These bespoke bottles elevate Four Roses’ standard Single Barrel with unique finishes curated by retailers or groups, resulting in varied flavor profiles. Labeled by mash bill and yeast strain, they offer bold, complex expressions with strong oak notes. While the variability might deter some, the consistent quality makes these a compelling choice for bourbon enthusiasts seeking something distinctive over $100.

Michter’s Toasted Barrel

Finished in gently toasted barrels, this bourbon highlights wood sugars, delivering notes of crackers, nuts, caramelized sugar, and vanilla bean. Its rich, balanced sweetness and gentle spice create a layered tasting experience. While its pronounced sweetness may not suit all palates, it’s a standout for those who enjoy a softer, impressive bourbon.

Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Old

Aged 16 years, this bourbon showcases heavy oak influence without overwhelming the palate, blending subtle spice, toffee, and dark chocolate. Its high-rye mash bill adds complexity, appealing to seasoned bourbon drinkers who appreciate earthy, powerful flavors. Novices may find its intensity challenging, but it’s a fantastic study in aging’s impact.

Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel

Produced by Buffalo Trace, this 100-proof single-barrel bourbon offers deep oak, elegant fruits, gentle spice, and sumptuous sweetness. Its stunning bottle belies its quality, delivering a beautifully balanced pour. Despite slight batch variations, its consistent excellence makes it a hidden gem for bourbon lovers willing to seek it out.

Old Forester 1924

Named for its prohibition-era legacy, this 10-year-old bourbon blends sweet chocolate, toffee, cinnamon, and dark fruit notes with a corn-heavy mash bill. Its robust yet smooth profile appeals to fans of softer whiskeys while maintaining bold distinction. It’s a mellow yet memorable choice in a competitive field.

Little Book

This annual release of blended straight whiskeys, including at least one bourbon, varies wildly between iterations but consistently delivers immense, balanced flavor at cask strength. While the lack of consistency may frustrate some, each carefully curated release offers a unique, high-quality experience for those who value creativity and punch.

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

Named after a Buffalo Trace legend, this 90-proof single-barrel bourbon delivers honey, toffee, ripe stone fruits, and light oak with remarkable consistency. Its gentle yet characterful profile makes it an ideal step-up for those new to premium bourbons, offering timeless appeal at retail prices.

W.L. Weller 12 Year Old

This wheated bourbon swaps rye for wheat, yielding exceptional smoothness with caramel, honey, vanilla, and subtle toffee notes. Minimal spice and a silky finish make it an easy sipper, though some may crave more intensity. It’s a crowd-pleaser for those who prioritize refined sweetness.

Russell’s Reserve 13-Year Old

The 2025 Spring release of Russell’s Reserve has been reimagined and bottled at a higher barrel proof of 123.8, marking a new chapter for this limited-edition bourbon. Set to arrive on select shelves later this summer, it will be available in limited quantities nationwide, at the distillery Visitor’s Center, and online for a suggested retail price of $200. Crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell and his team, this non-chill filtered bourbon comes from a small batch of barrels personally selected by Eddie. Departing from previous 114.8-proof releases, the 2025 edition begins a new tradition of labeling each bottle with its exact proof and production season, turning every release into a collectible piece of Russell’s Reserve history. Eddie describes the 2025 batch as delivering the signature 13-year profile with enhanced cola notes, calling it 'a reflection of the time and care we put into crafting every bottle.'

Blanton’s Single Barrel

Known for its grenade-shaped bottle and collectible horse stoppers, this approachable bourbon coats the palate with butterscotch, toffee, light spice, and toasted notes. Despite some hype, its elegant mouthfeel and soft oak backbone make it a well-crafted choice worth pursuing.

Booker’s Small Batch

Released in batches when ready, this high-proof bourbon blends barrels from different warehouse locations, yielding rich caramel, vanilla, spice, and nuttiness. Each batch’s subtle variations and transparent craftsmanship appeal to purists seeking a rewarding, hard-hitting pour.

Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel

This sweet yet deep bourbon offers classical flavors alongside cherry, orchard fruits, and chocolate, with a long, satisfying finish. Its inoffensive yet nuanced profile makes it an excellent gift choice, encouraging sippers to uncover new notes with each taste.

Stagg Barrel Proof

Formerly Stagg Jr., this high-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon (often above 125 proof) delivers dark cherry, brown sugar, rich oak, and leather. Its intense heat retains nuance, making it ideal for seasoned drinkers seeking a powerful yet refined experience, though it’s not for beginners.

Knob Creek 18-Year

This oak-forward 18-year-old bourbon balances earthy leather, baking spices, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and toffee with toasted vanilla. Its depth and lingering warmth avoid the pitfalls of over-aging, offering a complex, satisfying pour for those who appreciate mature whiskeys.

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-Year

The most accessible Van Winkle bourbon, this 90.4-proof expression shines with subtle caramel, oak, and fruity notes, revealing new flavors like nuts with each sip. Its scarcity and market prices are drawbacks, but at around $150, it’s an exceptional treat for caramel lovers.