The 10 Best Bourbons Under $50 For Your Holiday Party

We hope our list will help you find the best bourbons under $50 for your holiday party! We’ve included a couple of ryes, too, to help you mix things up!

So, you’re throwing a holiday party. Awesome! Your friends will have a great time! But, now you’re wondering, “Which bourbons should I have at my party?” and “Do I have to spend a small fortune to get good ones?” Well, wonder no more because we’re here to help! Here’s our list of 10 reasonably priced bourbons (and a couple of ryes) that you should be able to easily find, and that your friends will enjoy. All of the whiskeys are around $50 or less, except for the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. It costs a bit more, but it’s worth it! Happy Holidays! Cheers!

Five Versatile Bourbons and Ryes Under $50 for your Holiday Party

These five bourbons and ryes will go great in cocktails or can be enjoyed neat. They all should be able to be found for under $50, other than the Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled In Bond, which could possibly be a few bucks more, depending on where you live.

Knob Creek 9-Year Bourbon (~$35+)  With its robust flavor and strong finish, Knob Creek 9-Year is a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. At 100 proof, this whiskey will not get lost in a cocktail, and a little splash can help spice up your egg nog, too! It’s also great neat or with a cube. (Knob Creek 9-Year Bourbon Review)

Rittenhouse Rye (~$28+) – A “Kentucky” rye, it’s a little more mellow, with just the right amount of spice and bold flavors. Nonetheless, it’s perfect for sipping or cocktails, and at 100 proof, it can stand up to any mixer. (Rittenhouse Rye Review)

Green River Kentucky Straight Rye (~$35) – This is another approachable rye, with balanced flavors and just the right amount of tart citrus, sweetness, spice, and body. It’s perfect neat or in cocktails, and a versatile guest at any party. (Green River Rye Review)

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bourbon (~$45) – This 6 year-old bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company has pleasant vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, honey, cinnamon and rye spices. It’s enjoyable neat, but will also stand up in a cocktail. (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bourbon Review)

Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled in Bond ($45-$50) – This versatile bourbon has classic flavors, starting off fairly fruit forward and rich, but becoming dryer and spicier in the long finish. Also, at 100 proof, it can be enjoyed neat, with a cube or in a cocktail. (Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Review)

5 Bourbons To Drink Neat or With A Cube

These whiskeys are a little more expensive, but are still readily available and most are around $50 or under. However prices may vary depending on where you live. These are all fantastic standalone pours, however they will also make an excellent cocktail, if you are so inclined.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (~$75)—This high-proof bourbon is the only one that is well above our $50 price range. However, it offers deep and rich classic bourbon flavors, making it a favorite amongst those who enjoy higher-proof, full-bodied pours. While it goes great in an Old Fashioned, most people will choose to enjoy it neat or with a cube.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed (~50) – Rare Breed is essentially a higher octane, older, barrel-proof version of Wild Turkey 101. The Wild Turkey 101 flavors are all there, but just turned up a notch and a little more rich. It’s got the familiar rye spice plus an added dose of caramel and vanilla from the proof and age. It also stands up to any cocktail, but most will enjoy it neat or with a cube.

Maker’s Mark 101 ($37-$42), Cask Strength ($42-$47) or Maker’s 46 Cask Strength (~$65) – With all the Maker’s Mark Bourbon flavors people know and love, these three bourbons take it to the next level. The first two are both higher octane versions of the classic Maker’s Mark Bourbon, at 101 and 108-114 proof, respectively. Maker’s 46 Cask Strength ups the ante even further. It’s Cask Strength Maker’s Mark Bourbon finished with French Oak Staves, giving it an even richer flavor than the others. Maker’s Cask Strength tends to be readily available year-round. However, Maker’s 101 and Maker’s 46 Cask Strength are not released regularly, but they are usually in ample supply this time of year. While any of these will stand up to mixers in a cocktail, I prefer them neat or with a cube. (Maker’s 46 Cask Strength Bourbon Review, Maker’s Mark Bourbon: Proof Matters)

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked ($49-$56) – Known for its rich, caramelized flavors and smooth finish, this whiskey is perfect for after-dinner sipping, although some people may want to enjoy it throughout the party. This bourbon starts as fully mature Woodford Reserve, with its caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. Then, the bourbon is aged for another year in a second new, deeply toasted, and lightly charred barrel. That creates an even richer flavor, a bit more sweet, with more vanilla and sweet oak.

Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength (~$50) – If you want to have something a little different at your party, this blend should appeal to both the bourbon drinkers and the Irish Whiskey drinkers on your invitation list. As the name implies, it is a blend of Irish Pot Still and Grain Whiskeys with Bourbon. The Irish Whiskey plays its role up front, with the bourbon handling the background and the endgame. Yet, there is still a feeling reminiscent of Irish Whiskey in the finish, as well. If you are looking for something similar, but lower in proof, the non-cask strength version of Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon (~$40) is quite good, as well. (Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength Review,  Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Review)

I hope our list helped you find the best bourbons under $50 (and ryes) for your holiday party! Cheers!🥃

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!