Prices keep creeping up, but there’s still serious value if you know where to look. Below are US and UK shortlists—grouped by style—with typical shelf prices, ABV, and why they made the cut. (Prices vary by state/retailer/promos; I cite current examples where possible.)
How I chose (so you trust the list)
- Ceiling: ~$50 in the US (before tax) / ~£40–45 in the UK.
- Availability: Not unicorns—regularly findable core bottles.
- Quality per dollar: Flavor density, ABV transparency (bonus for 46%+, NCF, natural colour), and versatility (neat + cocktails).
🇺🇸 US: Best under $50 (by style)
Bourbon (neat + cocktail workhorses)
- Wild Turkey 101 (now 8-Year, SRP $45) — 50.5% ABV. Big vanilla/toffee spice; the new 8-year US release sits nicely under the cap.
- Four Roses Small Batch (~$37) — 45% ABV. Fruity/floral with spice; consistent and friendly for Old Fashioneds.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch (~$35) — 47% ABV. Toasted oak, baking spice; broad distribution.
- Old Forester 100 Proof (~$28–30) — 50% ABV. High-value “house” bourbon for Manhattans/Whiskey Sours.
- Buffalo Trace (~$25–35) — 45% ABV. Caramel/vanilla classic; price swings but widely under $50. (See UK price too.)
Rye (cocktail lovers)
- Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond (~$29 average) — 50% ABV. Bold spice, great in Sazeracs/Manhattans.
- Sazerac Rye 100-Proof (1L ~$30) — 50% ABV. New 2025 100-proof bar-workhorse format.
Scotch (blended & single malt)
- Monkey Shoulder (~$33–40) — 43% ABV. Blended malt with vanilla/toffee; super-mixable and sip-able.
- Glenmorangie Original 10 (~$45 avg) — 40% ABV. Citrus/honey/vanilla; gentle gateway single malt.
- Tomatin 12 (~$47) — 43% ABV. Orchard fruit + soft spice; overlooked gem.
Irish (smooth, versatile)
- Bushmills Black Bush (~$36–42) — ~40–41% ABV. Sherry-led dried fruit/chocolate; fabulous value.
Ultra-budget hall of fame (often <$25, still good)
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond ($20–34) — 50% ABV. High-proof bourbon for peanuts; unbeatable mixer value.
🇬🇧 UK: Best under £40–45 (by style)
Bourbon/Rye available in UK
- Buffalo Trace (£25.25 at TWE) — 40% ABV (UK bottling). Ridiculous value for cocktails & beginners.
- Wild Turkey 101 (£26–35 on promo; ~£35.50 standard) — 50.5% ABV. Big flavor; supermarkets run deals.
Scotch single malt (entry—but legit)
- Glen Moray 12 (~£33 on offer) — 40% ABV. American oak vanilla/apple; “why pay more?” Speyside starter.
- Glen Grant 10 (~£38–39) — 40% ABV. Crisp orchard fruit; dependable everyday dram.
- Speyburn 10 (~£34.75) — 40% ABV. Lemon/toffee, easygoing and cheap.
- Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair (£34.75–39.43) — 46.3% ABV, NCF/No colour; sherried coastal richness at a steal.
Japanese (still value picks)
- Suntory Toki (£28–36 on promo) — 43% ABV. Light, citrus-forward; perfect highball.
- Nikka Days (~£38–39) — 40% ABV. Gentle fruit + a whiff of peat; easy entry to Japan styles.
💡 Why UK gets more single malts under £40–45: supermarket promos + 70cl format + competitive retailing. Watch for weekly deals.
Mini buying guide (don’t overthink it)
- ABV matters: 46%+ often = better texture (and sometimes NCF).
- Cask clues: Ex-bourbon (vanilla/citrus) vs sherry (fig/cocoa).
- Price sanity: If it’s regularly $10+ under local average, check size (750ml vs 1L) and legit retailer.
Quick picks by use-case
- Old Fashioned / Manhattan: Rittenhouse BIB (US), Old Forester 100 (US), Buffalo Trace (UK).
- Highball / Light sipper: Toki (UK), Monkey Shoulder (US/UK).
- Beginner single malt: Glenmorangie 10 (US), Glen Grant 10 (UK), Glen Moray 12 (UK).
- Sherry lovers: Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair (UK), Bushmills Black Bush (US).
- Value cask-strength feel (add water): Wild Turkey 101 (US/UK), Sazerac Rye 100-proof (US).
FAQ (for readers & Google)
Q1. Why is my local price higher than shown?
Taxes, shipping rules, and promos vary by state/retailer. Use these prices as directional ranges, not absolutes. (I’ve cited current examples.)
Q2. Are age statements rare under $50 now?
More NAS releases are common, but age ≠ automatic quality. Focus on ABV/cask/producer track record.
Q3. If I only buy one bourbon + one malt from this list?
US: Old Forester 100 + Glenmorangie 10. UK: Buffalo Trace + Glen Grant 10.
Final sip
You don’t need $80 to drink well. Start with a house bourbon (Old Forester 100 or WT101), a beginner malt (Glenmorangie 10 or Glen Grant 10), then branch into rye (Rittenhouse) or sherry-leaning (Stiùireadair/Black Bush). Your budget will survive—and your glass won’t be boring.