Bourbon buying can feel noisier than ever in 2026. Between limited releases, inflated secondary prices, and bottles that receive far more hype than they deserve, it is easy to forget that there are still plenty of excellent bourbons you can buy without overthinking it.
This list is about the bottles I would actually spend my own money on. Some are easy-going daily drinkers, others are richer, higher-proof pours, and one or two sit firmly in the treat-yourself category. They range from around £30 to £170 in the UK, with many also available in the US, so whatever your budget, there should be something here worth adding to the shelf.
Jim Beam Black 7 Year Old, 45%, £29 / $21
This welcome, older release of Jim Beam Black is already making a strong statement on whisky retailers’ shelves. Still rounded and sweet like many Jim Beam releases, the extra ABV has pushed it into a drier, longer, and more interesting style of bourbon.
It’s got those big notes of vanilla and caramel cream, but the nuttiness that rolls through on the finish is wonderful. Think peanut brittle and peanut butter, balanced by creaminess, sweetness, and a welcome dryness from that additional aging in Kentucky heat.
For the money, this is a great buy if you’re looking for something affordable and tasty, whether for sipping or mixing into cocktails at home.
Wild Turkey 101, 50.5%, £24 / $18
Again, if you’re new to my bourbon writing, you’ll know that if the title involves value or “must-buy” bottles, Wild Turkey 101 is almost always going to make the list.
Since its initial release, Wild Turkey 101 has arguably been one of the best value bottles in whisky, regardless of style. The profile, the strength, the price point, the distillery’s history, and the Russell family’s influence on what bourbon was and what it became all play a role in that.
That 13% rye content, combined with the higher proof, really shines through on the nose, palate, and finish. This isn’t just a bourbon built around sweetness, either. It has an earthier, darker profile with notes of rye grain, rolling tobacco, bell pepper, and roasted corn. Then you’ve got all the classic bourbon sweetness to fall back on as those deeper flavors move in and out of the experience.
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, 50%, £37 / $21
I feel this bottle is quite slept on in the UK. It was something I always used to show people in my old workplace, and they would almost always say, “I’ve never seen this before.”
Evan Williams runs with around 10% rye in the mash bill, but also 12% malted barley, which brings some toastier, warmer notes without all of the spice and earthiness rye can sometimes add to the palate.
As a Bottled in Bond product, you’ve got a wonderful finish packed with chewy caramel, peanuts, and dark chocolate. Heaven Hill is a huge distillery, and you’ll likely know some of its other brands, including Elijah Craig, Rittenhouse, Larceny, and even Mellow Corn.
The White Label release is a very solid bourbon. Getting another 50% ABV bottle for under £40 in the UK represents excellent value, but this also has the flavor to back it up.
Four Roses Single Barrel, 50%, £45 / £43
Another regular appearance from me when it comes to great value bottles.
I’ve written elsewhere that Four Roses is not just a distillery, it’s also one of the best examples of a blending house in all of whisky. The 10 recipes they can produce allow them to showcase just how varied their whiskey can be.
That doesn’t really apply to this bottle, as it’s a single barrel release, but tasting examples from all of those recipes side by side would be fascinating.
Loaded with brown butter, popcorn, caramel, vanilla ice cream, and balanced rye spice, Four Roses Single Barrel is a masterclass in style.
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Bottled-in-Bond, Origin Series, 50%, £66 / $51
Time for wheat.
Running with 20% wheat in the mash bill, Bardstown has been at the front of the line when it comes to demand in recent years. They’re not necessarily doing anything radically different, but they have built a reputation through partnerships with excellent brands and consistently strong releases. We’ll talk about one of those collaborations later in this article.
This bottle is a masterclass in how wheat can bring bright fruit character to bourbon. I always get apricot, mango, and lemon zest on the nose.
There are also plenty of notes of honey, toffee, chocolate, cookie dough, butterscotch, and melted butter. It’s a wonderful style that deserves a place on the shelf of any bourbon fan. Whether you’re familiar with Bardstown or not, this is a great release that still offers strong value while delivering something a little different.
Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof, 59.9%, £66 / $75
More wheated wonders.
The folks in Missouri have been bringing Ben Holladay bourbon to the UK for a few years now. Aged for six years, containing 15% wheat, and bottled at just under 60% ABV, this is one of the chewiest, richest, fruit-driven styles of bourbon I’ve come across.
It doesn’t quite reach the tropical territory of the Bardstown above, but it offers a wealth of fresh green apple, poached pear, and coconut notes. Add in waves of sticky caramel and a welcome kick of spice from the higher proof, and you’ve got the perfect bottle for anyone looking for something lesser known that still delivers incredible flavor.
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Goose Island Collaboration, 50%, £121 / $151
This one is a little left field, but it’s all about flavor.
Bardstown paired six- and seven-year-old bourbons with a year-long finish in Goose Island stout casks. Beer isn’t normally my thing, but stout is something I crave a few times a year.
Combining excellent bourbon with those stout influences has created one of the richest, heaviest styles of bourbon I’ve ever tasted. The nose is packed with different chocolate bars and toasted nuts.
The palate is where it really comes alive. Roasted cocoa, sweet stout, sticky caramel, nutmeg, and vanilla cream all come together beautifully. It’s like a stronger, more intense Irish Coffee cocktail.
It’s expensive, yes, but when it comes to one-off releases in this price bracket, I honestly think it delivers more flavor and enjoyment than many older and more sought-after bourbons.
Which Bourbon Should You Buy?
No matter your budget, there’s a bourbon out there for you.
There are plenty of bottles that didn’t make this list, many of which we’ve covered before, but bourbon remains remarkably well-priced in the UK. You don’t need to spend a fortune to find something excellent, although you certainly can if you want to.
The key is making sure you’re getting the right bottle for your palate. Whether you’re buying in-store or online, talk to specialists, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try something outside your usual comfort zone.
Read the full article at The Bourbons I’d Actually Spend My Own Money On In 2026
