In 2025, bourbon once again proved its global pedigree, collecting medals and accolades at the world’s top spirits competitions. But while many award-winning bottles come with triple-digit price tags, great bourbon doesn’t have to break the bank. There is a whole host of budget bourbons out there that deliver award-winning quality without the hefty price tag.
Too often, the bourbons that win big also cost big, putting them out of reach for everyday drinkers who just want something excellent in the glass. That’s why we’ve rounded up five standout bourbons that not only earned major awards this year, but also remain surprisingly affordable.
Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Bourbon
Bronze Medal – ADI International Spirits Competition 2025, A Cask Finished Budget Bourbon (From $37.99)
Earning a Bronze Medal at the 2025 ADI Awards, Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve may not (yet) have the prestige of older bourbon labels, but it’s already making a name for itself.
Crafted from a high-rye Kentucky bourbon base and finished in Reposado tequila casks, Bear Fight leans into spice, energy, and originality. On the nose and palate, you’ll find a spice-forward profile layered with vanilla, cinnamon, and a gentle kick of tequila-influenced herbaceousness. It’s a flavor combination that’s a little unexpected, and all the more interesting for it.
At around $40, this bourbon is fantastic value for money, if you believe the expert judges at the American Distilling Institute.
A fun, conversation-starting pour, it’s ideal for bourbon drinkers who like a bit of edge and youth in their glass.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream
Platinum Medal – San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2025, Value & Sustainability (From $40)
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream was a big winner at the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2025, clinching a Platinum Medal. Crafted in Sonoma County, California, this straight bourbon blends whiskeys aged between 4 and 12 years, bringing depth and nuance without the premium price tag.
Tasting it reveals a rich and expressive profile: notes of maple, dried apricot, and sandalwood unfold with each sip, offering a smooth, slightly fruit-forward experience that’s easy to enjoy yet far from ordinary.
Our very own Phil Dwyer counts himself among the growing number of fans, and it’s easy to see why.
Beyond the flavor, Pipe Dream is also rooted in sustainability. For every bottle sold, the company plants a tree. It’s a rare case where you can drink well and do good at the same time.
At around $45, you’re getting a delicious bourbon at a good price, and making a difference to the environment, too.
1792 12 Year Old Bourbon
Double Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025, A Well-Aged Find (From $68.99)
This bourbon from Barton 1792 clinched a Double Gold Medal at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Produced in Bardstown, Kentucky, this straight bourbon features a high-rye mash bill and is matured for a full twelve years in new charred oak barrels, remarkably long for a whiskey still hovering around the $70 mark.
Far from being ‘over-oaked’, this 12 year old bourbon is layered and complex. Expect rich caramel, toasted oak, and dark fruit, with a dry, nutmeg-laced finish that balances sweetness with structure.
What sets this bourbon apart is its combination of age, quality, and price. Age-stated bourbons, especially ones aged as long as 12 years, are increasingly rare below $100, let alone near $70. It is a great value-for-money pour.
Barton 1792 is no stranger to awards, either. In fact, it seems to rather consistently appear in prestigious spirits competitions every year (see here). So, if you feel like branching out, why not try the Small Batch release as well?
Early Times Bottled-In-Bond
Silver Medal – International Spirits Challenge 2025, Budget Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (From $12.99)
With a Silver Medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge, Early Times Bottled-In-Bond reaffirms its place as one of the most dependable and underrated bourbons on the shelf. This bourbon brings together heritage, affordability, and authenticity.
Expect classic bottled-in-bond character here: cornbread warmth, gentle spice, and just a hint of cola on the finish. It’s a smooth, no-nonsense pour that delivers more than you’d expect for its price.
Why do bourbon fans keep coming back to this bottle? Because it offers everything that bonded bourbon should: 100 proof, at least four years old, and the product of one distillery and season, with none of the sticker shock. It’s typically priced under $30, making it not only great value, but also an ideal way to explore the Bottled-in-Bond category without a major commitment.
Evan Williams Black Label
Silver Medal – International Spirits Challenge 2025, A Budget Bourbon Staple (From $13)
With a Silver Medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge, Evan Williams Black Label proves that value and quality aren’t mutually exclusive. Produced by Heaven Hill, this straight bourbon has long been a go-to for bartenders and home drinkers alike.
It offers a classic, no-frills flavor profile: smooth vanilla, mellow oak, and just a touch of smoke. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want in a bottle.
At under $20, it’s one of the best budget buys in American whiskey. This is the bourbon you recommend to a friend just getting into the category, the one you keep on hand for cocktails, and the one you reach for when you want something easy and drinkable.
Budget Bourbon Can Be The Best
If 2025 has shown us anything, it’s that great bourbon doesn’t have to come with a collector’s price tag. From a 12-year-old powerhouse to bold newcomers and beloved everyday staples, these five award-winning bottles prove that excellence and affordability can go hand in hand.
So why not pick up a bottle or two and see what the buzz is about? There’s genuine satisfaction in discovering a bourbon that overdelivers. Bonus points if you share your own favorite affordable award-winner with fellow bourbon fans. We’d love to hear what’s earned a place on your shelf.
Read the full article at 5 Award-Winning Bourbons You Can Actually Afford
