I have spent a large part of my life, about a third of it at this point, serving customers in a specialist whisky retailer in the UK. Time and again, people come in asking for unicorn bottles with huge reputations. But with the massive price increases we have seen, are those reputations still justified?
If you are hunting any of the bottles below with the intention of spending serious money, assuming you can even find them, consider this a warning. Not everything that glitters is gold.
I love bourbon. It was my first real love in whiskey. But having been lucky enough to try all of these, it feels like the right time to set the record straight. So, here are 5 overrated bourbons and 5 alternatives that will give you better value for money.
Overrated: Pappy Van Winkle (Any Expression), 44%+, £500+
My favourite Pappy bottle is the 10 Year Old. Would I spend £500 on it to drink? Absolutely not
Prices only climb as you move up the age range. I am not entirely sure who started the Van Winkle frenzy, though Anthony Bourdain likely played a role somewhere along the line.
What is important to remember is that they do taste good. All of them. But “good” is not enough to justify losing a month’s pay on a 23-year-old bottle of anything.
Instead: Green River Wheated Bourbon, 45%, £45/$30
This is what value looks like. It sits outside the obvious recommendations like Maker’s Mark or Weller, as good as those are.
With a mash bill of 70% corn and 21% wheat, it delivers a sweet, fruity style that is both flavourful and affordable.
Smaller producers like Green River deserve more attention. There are certainly other strong wheated bourbons out there too, so if you have one in mind, share it.
Overrated: Eagle Rare 12 Year Old, 47.5%, £80/$200
This is a newer release, but I am not convinced it was needed. Eagle Rare 10 is already dependable and, in many places, still reasonably priced.
Buffalo Trace clearly has plenty of stock, with this 12 Year Old joining an expanded range that now includes older expressions at higher ABVs.
I have tried the 12 Year Old. It is good, and the higher strength is welcome. But it does not justify the extra cost or the lingering hype.
Instead: Knob Creek 12 Year Old, 50%, £53/$66
Knob Creek has been delivering consistently for years. For similar or lower money, you get higher ABV and a more engaging flavour profile. Think toasted nuts, baked fruit, and that familiar note of old leather that runs through the range.
Overrated: Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond, 50%, £56/$70
Awards can do more harm than good sometimes. When Henry McKenna won Best in Show in 2019, prices surged overnight. The strange part is that people kept paying.
Awards are subjective. They always have been. This is a good bourbon, no question. I had a bottle brought back for me in 2015 that cost about $20, and at that price it was excellent value. That is the key point.
Instead: Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, 45%, £34/$55
When I first saw Eagle Rare 10 appear in UK supermarkets, I was not thrilled. It felt like a specialist product. But the increased availability has driven prices down, and that is a good thing.
There is a reason Eagle Rare 10 is seen as a benchmark for affordable bourbon. It is simply very good. If you find it at £35, buy two.
Overrated: Elmer T. Lee, 45%, £1,000/$100
This is one of the few bottles that is more expensive in the UK than in the US. Elmer T. Lee’s legacy deserves respect, but not at these prices.
It is a perfectly fine bourbon, built on the same mash bill as Blanton’s. But £1,000 for a 45% bourbon that is simply “fine” makes no sense.
At that level, you would be better off opening it and sharing it, because very few people will justify buying it.
Instead: Four Roses Single Barrel, 50%, £46/$43
This is a personal favourite and one that never disappoints. It shows exactly what a well-made single barrel bourbon can be. It keeps experienced drinkers engaged while remaining accessible to newcomers.
If you see a bottle on the shelf, take it home. Pay for it first, of course. It is one that belongs in any whisky collection.
Overrated: Blanton’s Single Barrel, 46.5%, £80/$75
Prices have softened slightly in the UK, but the hype around Blanton’s has put many people off. It is good whisky, but it used to be great value at £45. Now it is just acceptable for the price.
Pop culture has not helped either. The moment it appeared on screen, the hype surged again. That is not Keanu Reeves’ fault, of course.
Instead: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old, 45%, £83/$48
I picked this up within the past year and it genuinely surprised me. It offers a fresh take on the Wild Turkey profile.
Expect blackberry, mint, caramel, and orange, with a gentle rye spice running through it. It has real character and charm, and makes for a far more satisfying purchase than chasing Blanton’s.
Overall
As mentioned earlier, awards often distort perception and pricing. Whether it is producers, distributors, or retailers driving the increase, the result is the same. A gold sticker does not fundamentally change what is in the bottle.
The same applies to hype from celebrities, chefs, or anyone else. When you walk into a shop or browse online, try to taste before you buy whenever possible. That is not always easy, especially in parts of North America, but bars and shared bottles can help.
Do not let hype convince you to spend money you would not otherwise spend. Bourbon is at its best when it is enjoyed, not chased.
Read the full article at 5 Overrated Bourbons And What To Buy Instead This Year
