My top 5 picks for a great pour under $50 a bottle

The bourbon craze is no longer new. It has certainly become the hip thing amongst those that drink spirits. Everyone that is into bourbon beyond just a stock of mixers and few good bottles for sipping, knows about the unicorns and learns quickly about release dates of all things allocated. All that said, I want to share with you some picks that I think area great sippers for the price point and will give you something you can add to your bar without breaking the bank.

Starting with 5 because I want you to see what I think is the best at the end for the money.

5. Russell’s 10 year $35. This is such a solid drink for a 10 year bourbon. I really enjoy this pour and for the money, it’s tough to beat. 90 proof Kentucky straight bourbon. Wild Turkey’s master distiller Eddie Russell is the creator and hit’s the nail on the head here. Amber in color, lots of vanilla, oak and toffee. Excellent pour.

4. Hochstaders Slow and Low Rock and Rye $20-$25. Now, many of the bourbon folk will furrow the brow and scoff at this. I’m fine with that. If you want to introduce someone to whiskey and do so with something that is easy to drink, this is it. It’s basically an old fashion in a bottle. IT’s bottled in Philly, rye, honey, orange zest and bitters. It’s an easy to like drink but, it is sweet, very sweet. Poured over ice is perfect and very enjoyable.

3. Eagle Rare-$35 Another 10 year bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace. For the price, it’s just a regal style of drink for me. Just a classic bourbon taste. With a drier and lingering finish, this could easily be a favorite to many. You will occasionally see this on sale in stores and I suggest grabbing one when you find it.

2. Sazerac Rye $35. This is as good of a rye, for the money, that you can find. I keep these in multiples and give as gifts frequently. Occasionally, some of the internet outlets and stores will even have them on sale. You can’t miss with this bottle. Allspice, single, orange peel and pepper but, not too hot. It’s pretty thick on the palate and I have read several reviews stating the same. If you find a bottle of this, get it. It will never disappoint

1. Bowman Brothers small batch bourbon. $32-$35. For the money, this is my favorite pour. I’m very much a single barrel guy but, this bourbon is such a good drink. Bowman is in Virginia…remember, Kentucky and Virginia were once kind of the same state…90 proof triple distilled and aged in charred oak barrels, vanilla and oak but so smooth and just mellow and enjoyable. I’m a huge fan of everything this distillery makes bourbon wise.

While I have been lucky enough to have added some really cool bottles that are allocated, hard to find and even pricey, it stands to reason, finding a solid sipper or adding to you bar doesn’t have to break the bank, nor does it have to be hard to find. Once in a while, these will become scarce but, usually they are readily available

So, hopefully you enjoy this list and I would love to hear back from others with their list as well.

Last, there is no wrong way to enjoy whiskey. I have become a nerd and have all sorts of glassware and ice molds but, however you choose it, the only rule here is to enjoy it. Cheers!