Best Bourbons Under $75

#5 Baker's 7 Year Single Barrel

Baker's 7 year comes in at number 5 on the list of best bourbons $50-$75. With a retail price that should hover around $60, this is part of Jim Beam Distillery's Small Batch Collection which also includes Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, and Booker's. For a time, Bakers was a small batch product but in 2019, the distillery made the decision to switch it to a single barrel age stated product. Though labelled as a minimum 7 year bottle, you will find many to be above that age statement. This means the Beam team is seeking out the appropriate barrels for this product rather than throwing every 7 year barrel in, despite the fact it may not be ready.

Stats: 7+ years; 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley; 107 proof; $60

If Jim Beam does anything, it's develop consistent flavor profiles. That is true for Baker's 7 year despite it being a single barrel. Each bottle I have had carries this consistency, hence the beforementioned process of ensuring they pick the right barrels for this product.

It has a typical Beam profile of oak, nuts, caramel, and rye spice. All at a great age statement and proof point. Many enthusiasts consider both of these to be the "sweet spot" for bourbon - aged 7-8 years with a proof of 105-110. The proof shines in the palate and finish as it amps up the profile perfectly and provides a nice warm hug on the back end. This is an often overlooked bottle that you shouldn't sleep on!

#4 Knob Creek 12 Year Small Batch

Coming in at number 4 on the best bourbons under $75 list is another Jim Beam Distillery product, Knob Creek 12 year small batch. Initially produced as a limited release, the 12 year small batch has joined Knob Creek 9 year as part of the standard Knob Creek small batch collection. The limited edition of this is the Knob Creek 12 year Cask Strength. This is the oldest age stated bottle in the testing we did but as you know, age does not always equal better. However, it is nice to see a 10+ year age stated product so moderately priced and making a comeback. It is quite rare these days. The others that come to mind are Eagle Rare and Russell's 10 - both 10 proof points lower and minimum 2 years younger than this though.

Stats: 12 years old; 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley; 100 proof; $65

A really nice palate to this one. The age of course lends to an oak forward profile. As with most Knob Creek, there is also significant pepper on the palate. However, some of the more subtle notes in younger Knob Creek are amped up here - charred brown sugar, vanilla, and even hints of marshmallow. An all around joy to sip on. If you like higher age stated products with that oak forward profile, you'll love this. This is what traditional bourbon was meant to be - aged well, proofed well, and priced well.

#3 Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Known far and wide by bourbon enthusiasts everywhere is one of the best values in all of bourbon and the number 3 bottle on the list of best under $75 is none other than Wild Turkey's Rare Breed. A long time release from Wild Turkey, Rare Breed comes in on the lower end of the price spectrum for this category but is big on flavor. It often gets overlooked as a barrel proof product due to the fact that Wild Turkey enters this in the barrel at a much lower proof point than most barrel proof products. Rare Breed enters around 110 or lower while most producers enter theirs at the maximum of 125. As a result, Rare Breed ends up at a lower overall proof compared to others. But that doesn't mean it has less flavor, not even close!

Stats: NAS (6,8,12 year barrel blend); 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley; 116.8 proof (varies by batch); $55

This, almost more than any Wild Turkey bottle, exemplifies the quintessential Wild Turkey profile. The dusty oak (my favorite note), leather, caramel, and light citrus give way to a wonderfully enjoyable finish of rye spice. This is one of the bottles I think of when I think about sitting in a dimly lit speakeasy with a cigar surrounded by leather furniture. This needs to be a staple on your bar. The profile at this price is incredible and not likely a value that you are going to beat.

#2 Old Forester 1920

To me, this is the biggest surprise of the tasting. Prior to, I would have guessed this Old Forester 1920 won easily. This has been one of my favorite overall bottles for years. I have gone so far as list it as my "deserted island" bottle - if I could only pick one bottle (widely available) to drink forever on a deserted island, this would have been it. BUT...that is why blind tastings are the best way to understand what you like. And don't get me wrong, it was an incredible close race with the top bottle and this is still an absolute bomb of a bottle that you need.

Stats: NAS; 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley; 115 proof; $65

As part of Old Forester's Whiskey Row series that also includes, 1870 (Original Batch), 1897(Bottled in Bond), 1910 (Double Oak), 1920 (Prohibition Style), and now 1924 (10 year old), 1920 is my favorite of the bunch. To me it is the maximum proof point that Old Forester should be without being "too hot." Many of the barrel proof Old Foresters I've had are pretty tough to get past the ethanol burn. However, this tames that significantly while still providing the proof needed to bring out some great flavors! It's heavy leather, tobacco, dark chocolate rich decadent profile is an immediately likeable palate. The Old Forester banana comes through occasionally to add a nice change up to the dark flavors that also include hints of crème brulee. This is a bottle you need to keep stocked as well and shock your friends with how good it is blind compared to other bottles assumed to be better.

#1 Russell's Reserve Single Barrel

And now, the winner of the best bourbons in the $50-$75 price range is Russell's Reserve Single Barrell! This is the distillery release version as opposed to the private selection options. Either way, an absolute bomb of a bottle! Though it has taken some heat for prices increases recently (these used to hover around $55-$60), this is still an appropriately priced bottle in today's market. While it can be tough to gauge single barrels for a list like this, I've had numerous bottles of this and all have been spectacular. There is great consistency of the main flavors of the profile throughout any bottle you will find.

Stats: NAS (typically 9-12 years old); 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley; 110 proof; $75

I'm not sure what I can say about this other than this is one of my favorite bottles now. I love doing blind tastings because then I take away my preconceived ideas and judge purely on the tastes. I've always thoroughly enjoyed these but hadn't blinded it against similar bottles. The profile is beautiful and complex with charred oak, caramel, leather, sweet tobacco, maple syrup, and even hints of apple. It is followed by a long dry finish. I don't find as much musty oak in the palate as other Wild Turkey bottles but it's there on the nose. This is now in the auto-buy category for me. Will always keep one on my shelf!

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