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10 Kinda Pricey Whiskeys That Are Worth Every Penny

These classic spirits are at a sweet spot for taste and cost.

Two men clinking glasses of whiskey
Cat Lafuente
By Cat Lafuente
Kristi Pahr
Edited by Kristi Pahr
Updated April 17, 2025
Fact checked

The world of whiskey can be daunting for new enthusiasts. With various types, price tags, and distinct flavors, choosing the right bottle can feel overwhelming.

While whiskey prices vary greatly, those on our list are at a sweet spot for balancing quality and affordability. 

So, which should you consider trying or to start investing in? Let's dive in.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location. 

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Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottle-In-Bond Bourbon

Courtesy of Total Wine Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottle-In-Bond Bourbon

Price: $58.99

Hailing from Missouri, this bourbon is made from red wheat, barley, and corn, giving it an innate sweetness. It smells of sweet fruit with a rich undertone.

Once it hits your lips, it's all sugar and chocolate fruit, though nicely balanced with a minty acidity. The long finish packs oak and licorice flavors, rounding out a truly pleasant sip.

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Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon

Courtesy of Total Wine Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon

Price: $49.99

You'll feel like it's autumn the second you try this release from OG distillery Four Roses, which serves pumpkin spice energy with its bright, oaky, spicy aroma with a hint of fruit.

Sweet caramel comes to the front, complementing the notes from the aroma. The journey ends with a pleasing finish, balanced by a spicy, almost minty grassiness.

Isle of Skye 18-Year Scotch Whisky

None

Price: $59.99

This blended scotch comes from Ian Macleod Distillers in Scotland, which smells of vanilla, baked fruits, and a nutty spiciness.

Once your mouth gets involved, the flavors amplify the fruity and nutty elements, not unlike an apple pie at Thanksgiving. The finish is normal, but the flavors take their time to dissipate fully. Enjoy it neat outdoors on the porch.

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Johnnie Walker Green Label

Courtesy of Total Wine Johnnie Walker Green Label

Price: $62.99

Scottish OG Johnnie Walker's 15-year-old blended malt scotch whisky begins with an aroma of apples and caramel, with hints of citrus, smoke, and cinnamon.

Sweet and sour is the name of the sip, which kicks up the aroma before amping up in the spice department. The finish is medium at best, with honey taming the stronger notes. Overall, it's a classic peat whisky.

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Knob Creek 12-Year Bourbon

None

Price: $62.99

This small-batch bourbon from the Jim Beam distillery stands out at 100 proof but is still smooth. The nose is toffee and fresh-baked cake with a slight ethanol bite.

That bite is mitigated by oaky, leathery flavors complemented by sweet vanilla and spiciness. The finish is dry and peppery, with notes from the barrel front and center, plus a hint of sweetness.

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Redbreast 12-Year Irish Whiskey

None

Price: $58.99

No best-of-whiskey list is complete without an Irish Whiskey, and Redbreast is a beloved award-winner. The aroma is fresh-baked cookies with fruit, oak, and caramel underneath.

Combine the aroma with a spicy, earthy, and leathery taste to get a sense of the flavor. The almost medium finish adds a grassy citrus element to the mix, rounding out this complex, lovely spirit.

Quick tips: How to travel or dine out without going broke

cherryandbees/Adobe man making payment with smartphone in restaurant

When it comes to enjoying things like travel and dining out, thoughtful planning can help you maximize your experience without draining your wallet. These discretionary expenses often consume a significant portion of many budgets. The key is finding the balance between treating yourself and maintaining your overall financial health.

Here are some tips on how to find that balance:

  • Visit restaurants during happy hour or lunch for similar food at lower prices
  • Join restaurant loyalty programs and subscribe to email lists for special offers
  • Use cashback dining apps like Seated or credit cards with travel/dining rewards
  • Consider traveling during shoulder seasons when prices drop but weather is still pleasant
  • Use price comparison tools like Hopper or Google Flights to track airfare drops
  • Book accommodations with kitchens to prepare some meals yourself while traveling

Some of the most memorable moments can come from a meal shared with friends or a budget travel experience that takes you somewhere truly unique. Consider both the emotional and financial value of an experience so you can find the things that are truly worth your money.

The Shin Japanese Malt Whisky

None

Price: $69.99

Award-winning, complex, and highly rated, this spirit opens with a fruity and spicy incense-like aroma. The flavor is sweet and dry, with a full body that warms the mouth.

The more than medium finish brings out an orchestra of notes, from woody mahogany and fresh fruit to toasted, creamy caramel. This one is meant for sipping, so take your time with it.

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Sagamore Spirit Rye Double Oak

None

Price: $57.99

Sagamore's award-winning spirit out of Baltimore has all the sugary, spicy vanilla, and caramel aroma you'd expect from a good rye. It also has a deep honey nut flavor with notes of nutmeg, which pairs beautifully with the cinnamon in the aroma.

What sets this rye apart is its long finish, which tempers the freshly baked and sweet flavor with oakiness.

Wilderness Trail Small Batch High Rye Bourbon

None

Price: $46.99

This Kentucky bourbon may be on the young side, but it's wise beyond its years. The aroma opens with nutty, creamy, and squashy notes with a kiss of mint and spice.

Honey and toffee gently come to the foreground when you sip, moving back to grass and mint with a touch of vanilla for the finish. Overall, it's light but flavorful.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

Courtesy of Johnnie Walker Johnnie Walker Gold Label bottle and cocktails on a table under the sun

Price: $72.99

The second entry from Johnnie Walker brings you in with a caramel, citrus, and smoky honey aroma. The peatiness picks up when you take your first sip.

That taste is balanced with a fruity creaminess, bright but not bitter. A sweetness picks up during a medium finish with a woody touch. Enjoy it neat and sip slowly.

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Bottom line

petrrgoskov/Adobe Glass of scotch whiskey

Although some of these delicious spirits may be at the higher end of your price range, you won't regret spending money on them. 

You could even use one of the top rewards credit cards to try new varieties and roll those rewards into your next purchase. 

That being said, there are cheaper whiskeys that are worth trying that might surprise you with their sophistication. So, whichever bottle you opt for, sit back, sip, and enjoy.

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