Bourbon whiskey is an oak barrel-aged distilled American spirit made primarily from corn that is hugely popular among casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. The name “bourbon” is rumored to have been derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, although it is disputed whether the name came from Bourbon County in Kentucky–a state renowned for its bourbon–or Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Distilled since the 18th century, the name “bourbon” was not applied to the drink until the 1820s, while the inventor of bourbon is often attributed to a pioneering Baptist minister and distiller named Elijah Craig. Recognized as a “distinctive product of the United States” by the U.S. Congress in 1964, bourbon whiskey has always been strongly associated with the American South. Famous well-known bourbon brands include Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, and Wild Turkey. The following is a list of some of the most expensive and best bourbons out there arranged by average price per bottle.
5. Wild Turkey Tradition 14-Year-Old Bourbon – $300
Wild Turkey Bourbon–the self-proclaimed “Real Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey”–released Wild Turkey Tradition, a limited edition 14-year-old 101 proof bourbon. The third bourbon in the Master Distiller Selection series, only 30,000 bottles of Wild Turkey Tradition were made available worldwide–10,000 in the U.S.–at a price of $100 a bottle. Demand for the classic bourbon has risen since its release, and so has its price.
4. Evan Williams 23-Year-Old Bourbon – $400
Evan Williams 23-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an extremely limited release bottling only available domestically through the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown, Kentucky. Special Heritage Center visitors on the exclusive “Speakeasy” tour even have the opportunity to taste the 23-year-old bourbon. Only one other distiller bottles a bourbon at this maturity–the number one bourbon on this list.
3. Martin Mills 24-Year-Old Bourbon – $500
One of the world’s most mythical bourbons, the Martin Mills 24-year-old bourbon, is an elusive bourbon that sells for $500 a bottle and up $100 a shot in the few high-end bars that hold it. Each bottle–only 200 were released worldwide–contains a devastating caramel and vanilla flavor best served with some water. Martin Mills is a fictitious distillery made-up by Heaven Hills Distilleries, who bottled the bourbon exclusively for sale in Japan in 1999.
2. A. H. Hirsch Reserve 16-Year-Old Bourbon – $1,275
This exclusive A. H. Hirsch Reserve 16-year-old Humidor Collector’s Edition bourbon is the last small batch of A. H. Hirsch Reserve available in the world. A rare rich and thick-textured bourbon whiskey, A. H. Hirsch Reserve was matured in oak casks for 16 years and has received numerous accolades from acclaimed bourbon connoisseurs. The collector’s edition features a humidor of handcrafted mahogany, a certificate of authenticity, and a custom made heavy-metal T-cork.
1. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-Year-Old Bourbon – $2,200
The most expensive bourbon available in the world today is the exclusive Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-year-old bourbon. This extremely rare limited edition bourbon was distilled in carefully selected barrels from the heart of the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery warehouse in Kentucky using “the most careful and expensive distilling method.” Aged considerably longer than most bourbons, this particular 23-year-old bourbon is bottled at 95.6 proof and is the only bourbon remaining from the company’s original Stitzel-Weller distillery.
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