Good Bourbon Under $50

You do not need to spend more than fifty dollars for a very good bourbon. Some of the best-reviewed bottles in America cost less than that. The hard part is knowing what to look for on the label.

What every bourbon has in common

Bourbon must be made in the United States from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak containers. That is why bourbon tastes sweeter than most other whiskey: the corn and the new oak give it caramel and vanilla.

Three words worth looking for

• Straight. A straight bourbon is aged at least two years, with nothing added but water. If it is younger than four years, the label must say how old it is.
• Bottled in bond. Made by one distillery in one season, aged at least four years and bottled at 100 proof. It is one of the best-value labels in whiskey. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is a good example.
• Wheated. Some bourbons use wheat instead of rye as the second grain, which makes them softer. Maker's Mark is the best-known wheated bourbon.

What we would buy

• For mixing: Four Roses or Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. Both are good enough to drink on ice and cheap enough for cocktails.
• If you like it bold: Wild Turkey 101 and Old Forester 100 Proof. Higher proof means more flavor in an Old Fashioned.
• If you like it soft: Maker's Mark.
• If you like it spicy: 1792 Small Batch, which uses more rye.
• To sip: Elijah Craig, Four Roses Small Batch or Woodford Reserve.

Want to know how rye changes the taste? Read bourbon vs rye.

Proof, and how to taste it

Higher proof bourbon is not only stronger. It carries more flavor. If a 100 proof bottle feels hot, add a few drops of water or one ice cube, and the flavor opens up.