American bourbon is a vital addition to any well-rounded drinks collection. Known for its rich sweetness and often complemented by a hint of spice, this versatile spirit shines whether savored neat, on the rocks, or mixed into classic cocktails such as a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or Sazerac.
Although bourbon prices have risen in recent years—due to factors like tariffs, inflation, and increasing demand—it’s still possible to find quality selections that offer excellent value. Here, we present six top-tier bourbons you can acquire for around £55 or less.
Angel’s Envy | Port Finish
Founded by Bourbon Hall of Famer Lincoln Henderson, Angel’s Envy made history as the first fully operational distillery to open on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row after Prohibition. The name references the ‘angel’s share’—the amount of spirit that evaporates during aging, which can reach up to 5% annually in downtown Louisville.
Since its debut in 2016, this brand has garnered numerous awards worldwide. The Port Finish expression, a cornerstone of their Signature Series, undergoes a brief finishing period in ex-Port barrels from Portugal’s Douro Valley, resulting in a luxurious and decadent flavor profile.
Expect bold flavors of red apple, cocktail cherry, and orange zest intertwined with milk chocolate, caramel, clove, and oak spice. This is a craft bourbon with genuine pedigree.
Eagle Rare | 10 Years Old
Produced at the Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, Eagle Rare is an award-winning bourbon that offers remarkable value, especially given its age statement—an increasingly rare feature in the current market.
Introduced in the mid-1970s, Eagle Rare has established itself as a benchmark and a modern classic. The 10-year-old expression is smooth, elegant, and immensely drinkable, combining rich butterscotch, cocoa, and sugared almond with vanilla, ripe cherry, and cassia bark, rounded off with hints of honey, soft leather, and oak.
This is a must-have for any serious bourbon enthusiast.
Four Roses | Small Batch
A treasured name in Kentucky bourbon, Four Roses Small Batch is crafted in Lawrenceburg from a select blend of barrels aged between six and seven years. This meticulous process results in a whiskey that is nuanced, approachable, and rich in character.
The name stems from a romantic tale: Paul Jones Jr., the distillery’s founder, named it in honor of his beloved, who wore a corsage of four red roses to accept his marriage proposal.
This high-rye bourbon opens with flavors of milk chocolate, warm bread dough, and vanilla custard, leading to layers of orange marmalade, dried coconut, toasted almond, and baking spices.
With superb balance and exceptional value, it’s a genuine crowd-pleaser.
Buy now at The Whisky Exchange
Maker’s Mark | 46
The world’s top-selling wheated bourbon, Maker’s Mark, contains wheat as its secondary grain after corn. Originally released in 1958, Maker’s 46 was developed by Bill Samuels Jr., the founder’s son.
This more robust expression is aged with ten French oak staves added to the barrel, imparting a richer, more complex flavor. Smooth and buttery, it offers notes of vanilla, orange zest, and toffee alongside a distinctive biscuity cereal note. The finish features cherry, cocoa, and warm spices.
Maker’s Mark is also set to become the first major bourbon brand to use 100% regeneratively farmed grains by 2025—a commendable initiative.
Michter’s | US*1 Unblended
Although it technically doesn’t qualify as bourbon—being matured in used barrels rather than new American oak—Michter’s US*1 Unblended is still an outstanding whiskey in its own right.
The name pays homage to Shenk’s distillery in Pennsylvania, founded in 1753, well before the Declaration of Independence. After a brief hiatus, the brand was revived in the 90s and relocated to Kentucky by Joseph J. Magliocco and industry icon Dick Newman.
This rich and layered whiskey features notes of maple syrup, cherry bakewell, dark chocolate, and orange oil. The mid-palate offers vanilla and toasted coconut, while the finish reveals woody spice, clove, and a hint of menthol.
Offering exceptional quality at a very reasonable price.
Wild Turkey | Rare Breed
A barrel-proof classic that is known for its strong character, Wild Turkey Rare Breed is bold, intense, and well-crafted. Released in 1991, it became one of the first cask-strength bourbons available in mainstream markets and marked the first addition to the Wild Turkey lineup since the 1950s.
This potent dram is full of flavor and finesse, showcasing golden syrup, marzipan, and glacé cherry upfront, with preserved orange and icing sugar in the background. Layers of milk chocolate, toasted cereal, and spiced oak add depth and richness. For its price point, it is one of the best values available.
A true modern classic.
