There are various reasons why many folks like to take a sip of bourbon after a long day or to celebrate with friends. Many people enjoy the unique smell and taste, others like its relaxing effects, while some people just enjoy drinking bourbon for the long tradition and craftsmanship that goes into creating the perfect sip. Yes, there are many reasons to enjoy bourbon. The problem is that many of the best versions are extremely expensive. While you need to watch your budget, if you’re a true bourbon aficionado, there are a few expensive bourbon brands that you should try if you get the chance.
This list includes eight incredible bourbon brands and bottles that should be on the top of the list for any fan of the beverage. There is a wide variety of flavors here. Some of the bourbons, such as the W.L Weller 12-Year Bourbon, offer flavors and aromas of vanilla and almonds. Another favorite, Elijah Craig 18-Year Bourbon, has a flavor profile that includes cherries, vanilla, fudge, and more. You’ll notice that most of these bourbons have proof of 90 or above, so drink responsibly.
While determining the eight best expensive bourbon brands, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet and used our personal experience combined with online sources and periodicals to create this list. Our sources include The Bourbon Finder, Wine Enthusiast, The Whiskey Shelf, and we reviewed fan favorites on Reddit. All in all, we have a great list of bourbons that you should try to taste at least once. If you’re interested in other articles of this type, also check out our similar article: avoid all light bears except these seven.
1. Widow Jane The Vaults Bourbon
- Price Range: $200-$300
- Proof: 99
- Origin: Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky
- Distillery: Widow Jane
- Year Company Founded: 2012
- Flavor Profile: Notes of vanilla beans, chocolate fudge, orange peels, and dried cherries.
Why You Should Try The Vaults
The first of our best expensive bourbon brands you should try is The Vaults from Widow Jane. This blend of 17-year-old bourbon is enjoyable and easy to drink, yet it’s incredibly complex with its many different flavors. The bourbon is aged for years in Adirondack oak casks and air-seasoned for at least 48 months. In addition to the amazing taste, this bourbon also has an aroma of roasted marshmallow, honeydew, and cinnamon. Though pricey, it’s more affordable than many other bourbons, and it’s also a limited edition, so try to get your hands on it.
2. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
- Price Range: $350-$400
- Proof: 90
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Year Company Founded: 1775
- Flavor Profile: Notes of vanilla beans, dried fruits, honeycomb, toffee, and spices.
Why You Should Try Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
There are many reasons why you should try this single-barrel bourbon. First, it comes from the Buffalo Trace distillery, which is the oldest continuously functioning distillery in the country. Secondly, the bourbon has many awards, including winning the 2023 and 2024 Denver International Spirits Competitions. Part of the secret is that it’s made in hand-picked barrels. Most important is the unique taste. You’ll get a combination of wintery spices, vanilla, and various dried fruits. There’s a combination of spice and sweetness that’s easy to enjoy. The taste is very complex but also very memorable, and it’s worth a try.
3. W.L Weller 12-Year Bourbon
- Price Range: $250-$350
- Proof: 90
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Year Company Founded: 1775
- Flavor Profile: Notes of charred wood, vanilla, almonds, and caramel corn.
Why You Should Try W.L Weller 12-Year Bourbon
Also, from Buffalo Trace, we have their W.L Weller 12-Year Bourbon, which is another of the best expensive bourbon brands to try. Like the previous bourbon, this smooth beverage has won several awards, including high marks at the World Whiskies Awards and the Denver International Spirits Competition. This is a wheaty bourbon that spends years in the cask and it shows in the flavor, as it has an oaky and smooth finish. The result is a warm whiskey that’s perfect for sipping and it’s incredibly enjoyable on colder nights.
4. George T. Stagg Bourbon
- Price Range: $1,000-$1,500
- Proof: 115
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Year Company Founded: 1775
- Flavor Profile: Notes of coffee, oak, spices, vanilla beans, and chocolate fudge.
Why You Should Try George T. Stagg Bourbon
Yet another great bourbon comes to us from Buffalo Trace Distillery. This is another award winner that took home the gold at the American Whiskey Masters and double gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, so you know it’s good. This is one of the more expensive bourbons on the list, but it’s worth at least a sip. It’s matured for 15 years in American oak casks to produce maximum flavor. There are many complex flavors in this drink that comes complete with a hint of coffee, making it the perfect sip day or night.
5. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
- Price Range: $500-$900
- Proof: 100
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
- Year Company Founded: 1935
- Flavor Profile: Notes of nutmeg, walnut, vanilla, butterscotch, and candied orange peels.
Why You Should Try Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Sherry barrels in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Old Fitzgerald is easily one of the most expensive bourbon brands because it’s aged 17 years and it has a very complex and tasty flavor profile. Every year, the company releases a newer batch, and each one tastes a bit different, but they’re all worth it. Even the scent of the bourbon is exciting, as it has notes of toasted bread and brown sugar. This is also a bourbon with a great history, as it was first registered in 1884 and sold during the prohibition period. The bourbon has earned rave reviews from Wine Enthusiast, Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and more.
6. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
- Price Range: $200-$1600
- Proof: 96
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Old Forester
- Year Company Founded: 1870
- Flavor Profile: Notes of charred oak, dark honey, molasses, and flavors of citrus.
Why You Should Try Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
This is an amazing bourbon with a great history. In 1870, George Garvin Brown created this bourbon to commemorate his birthday, and the name stuck. This is a bourbon that presents great flavor at every turn. The aroma presents floral and candied overtones, and you also get a scent of cedar and roasted coffee beans. Though the taste has very subtle notes of citrus, the taste of dark honey is definitely there, and it’s great. There is great care involved in producing this birthday bourbon as it’s matured in charred American oak barrels for 12 years.
7. Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
- Price Range: $150-$300
- Proof: 93
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Year Company Founded:b 1775
- Flavor Profile: Notes of sweet corn, honey, vanilla, caramel, and wintery spices.
Why You Should Try Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
This tasty bourbon was made because of Albert Bacon Blanton, who started working in the distillery at age 16. He made his way up to company president and helped it to become the largest distillery of its kind at that time. To honor him, you get a high-rye bourbon that has a medium finish with vanilla and nutmeg flavors. This award winner has won at the International Wine & Spirits Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It used to be a bourbon only given to celebrities and politicians, but if you can afford it, you can try it too.
8. Elijah Craig 18-Year Bourbon
- Price Range: $300-$550
- Proof: 90
- Origin: Kentucky
- Distillery: Elijah Craig
- Year Company Founded: 1789
- Flavor Profile: Notes of cherries, vanilla, fudge, pecans, oak, and sweet honey.
Why You Should Try Elijah Craig 18-Year Bourbon
Our final pick of the best expensive bourbon brands is this 18-year old specialty from Elijah Craig. This bourbon offers a robust and complex mixture of flavors that will hit you all at once. It’s no wonder why this bourbon has received high marks at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. In addition to the flavor profile, you’ll get the aroma of aged oak, mint, chocolate, and spiced vanilla. This entry from Elijah Craig is another reason that it’s no secret why bourbon is a component in many of the most iconic drinks from each state that everyone should try.