It’s a question I get all the time for friends – I have a friend that’s into bourbon. What is the best bourbon to give as a gift? Most of the lists you’ll find online fit one of two bills. Either (A) they’re mediocre, common bourbons that everyone has heard of or (B) they’re rare or hard to find bourbons that you’ll get laughed out of any liquor store if you even ask about (or be asked to pay 4x+ retail for).
So, let’s call this list your “affordable, bourbon-lovers list of bourbons to give as a gift that you can actually find”.
We’re targeting bottles that are under $70 and can be found in a reasonable liquor store – although you may not be able to find them in every store you stop by, especially if their selection is small.
FOR THE BOURBON ENTHUSIAST
One of the toughest bourbon lovers to shop for is the one who already has a reasonably sized collection, especially if you don’t know much about bourbon yourself. The bottles listed here will be appreciated by almost any bourbon lover, and will make you look like you really know your stuff!
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition-style Bourbon ($60).
This expression from Old Forester’s Whiskey Row Series is rich and chocolatey on the palate, with a spicy-laden black pepper finish. At 115 proof, you can certainly smell a little ethanol on the note but a regular bourbon drinker shouldn’t be bothered by the high proof (the best sipping whiskeys are often bottled this high). It’s unique, well-balanced, and really complex for the price point.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($40)
Bottled at barrel strength, this bourbon is a blend of 6, 8, and 12 year barrels. It’s an annual release, so the flavors can change a bit from year to year, but they’re all from the same mashbill (Wild Turkey only uses one). Like most Wild Turkey releases, it’s big and bold with a lot of spice. Fred Minnick, a well-known whiskey reviewer, did a blind tasting of the 2019 release against the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (which sells on the secondary market for $300-500+ per bottle) and Rare Breed came out on top.
E.H. Taylor Small Batch ($40)
I’d love to include E.H. Taylor Single Barrel on this list but the truth is, you just can’t find it anywhere! The Small Batch is a great entry into the E.H. Taylor range from Buffalo Trace at a fraction of the price. The flavors are rich and enjoyable – just let this one sit in the glass for a minute before sipping because it can have a lot of alcohol on the nose (bottled at 100 proof).
FOR THE EXPANDING PALATE
While the bottles above are great for anyone who loves bourbon, if you’re purchasing for someone who is newer to bourbons, barrel proofs are a tough place to start. These are a few of our favorites (at an affordable price) that really exemplify everything bourbon has to offer while being a bit more approachable than a barrel strength.
Four Roses Single Barrel ($40)
I recommend this bottle more frequently than anything else. A lot of collectors love that each bottle is made from one of 10 different recipes, each which have slightly different flavor profiles. Four Roses uses 2 different mash bills and 5 different yeast strains to produce the 10 recipes. On the tag, look for the second letter which indicates mashbill – B (higher rye) or E (higher corn). The fourth letter is the yeast strain (read more here). All 10 produce a bourbon that’s well-balanced between sweetness and spice, with none of the high-proof punch that can be offputting to newer bourbon drinkers.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel ($60)
This sits on the upper end of our price range and candidly, I prefer some of the less expensive bottles on this list BUT it’s still a solid bourbon and great for gifting. The Russell’s Reserve barrels are selected by Jimmie and Eddie Russell, master distillers at Wild Turkey. It’s a wonderfully complex bourbon with lots of vanilla and leather notes – perfect for someone who has tried the standards and is ready to move deeper into bourbon.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked ($45)
Double Oaked lives up to its name – oaky and rich on the palate with subtle vanilla hints. The finish is pretty mellow, which makes this a great entry for someone looking to get into bourbon. It’s also a lower proof (90.2) which makes this an easy sipper, although for an experienced bourbon palate, it borders on a little watered down tasting.
Knob Creek Single Barrel ($40)
This bottle is higher proof (120) than others on this list, however the sweetness really tempers that alcohol burn, making this a great entry point for someone getting into bourbon. It has deep maple syrup and caramel flavors, and finishes with a hint of leather. We’re big fans of anything single barrel in our house because each bottle can vary a little.
THE WILDCARDS
There are a few bottles that I also love but sit to the far end of unique – and because of that, make great gifts for any bourbon lover!
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
This is my absolute favorite bourbon right now! It undergoes a second aging in a lightly toasted but heavily charred (almost to the point of disintegration) which gives it beautifully rich caramel notes and dark berries – I equate this one to drinking a cherry cordial. It flew off the shelves when first released, but can now be found in most major liquor stores.
Store Picks
Okay, so this isn’t really a specific bottle, but is a great way to gift a unique bottle to someone. Store picks are single barrels selected by bourbon clubs, stores, or restaurants, and then sold directly through a sponsoring outlet. Stay away from Store Picks at major chains like Total Wine where they may just let someone else select for them, and opt for a smaller store or club pick that was selected for a specific region. Our local store partners with Dallas Bourbon Club and has helped us pick up some unique bottles of Russell’s Reserve, Old Weller Antique, and even Buffalo Trace.
Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey ($50)
This one’s a wildcard because it’s not actually a bourbon. It’s aged in whiskey-soaked barrels, not new American oak which is required for something to be called a bourbon. It has notes of sweet corn cereal (think Frosted Flakes) and vanilla. A great bottle for any bourbon lover!
Love a bottle not listed here? Tell us in the comments why you think it’s one of the best bourbons to give as a gift.
Looking for more gift ideas?
Read our Wine Lovers gift guide. There are some great items that would be perfect for a whiskey or a wine lover!
Pin this