Looking for the best bourbons can be overwhelming. With so many different distilleries, sub-styles, flavour profiles, production methods and wildly varying price points, it’s often hard to know what to look for if you’re not already an expert on the whiskey style.
By law, true bourbons must be made in the United States from a mash bill containing at least 51 per cent corn, which helps to pave the way for its typical sweet backbone. Bourbon must also be aged in new charred oak, a process that typically brings flavours of vanilla, caramel and baking spices.
Beyond those rules, styles can vary enormously. Some are soft and approachable, others big and powerful. Some bourbons shine when sipped neat, while others really come alive in an old fashioned, whiskey sour or brooklyn cocktail.
This list features a broad selection of bourbons from across different price points, production styles and flavour profiles, to showcase the best bourbons genuinely worth buying right now.
Read more: The best supermarket whiskeys to add to your basket
The best bourbon whiskeys for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Michter’s US*1 Kentucky straight bourbon: £54.90, Thewhiskyworld.com
- Best budget buy – Bowsaw small batch: £31.20, Masterofmalt.com
- Best premium bottle – Bomberger’s declaration 2025 release small batch Kentucky straight bourbon: £119, Thewhiskyexchange.com
- Best single barrel option – Four Roses single barrel: £44.99, Masterofmalt.com
- Best for old fashioned cocktails – Woodford Reserve distiller's select: £32.50, Masterofmalt.com
How I tested
First, I tasted every bourbon neat, without ice, to judge balance, texture, alcohol integration and overall complexity. Then, I tasted each bourbon with a splash of water. This helped reveal how the flavours evolved. You can read more about my full testing criteria at the end of this article.
Read more: The best Scotch to add to your drinks cabinet
Michter’s US1 Kentucky straight bourbon
Best: bourbon wiskey overall
ABV: 45.7%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Well balanced
- Works neat or mixed
- Premium without being inaccessible
Take note
- Not the cheapest
If you want just one bottle that demonstrates why bourbon has such global appeal, this is it. Michter’s US*1 delivered the most complete performance across every test. It’s layered enough to sip neat, structured enough to mix, and priced in a way that still feels fair for the quality.
Waves of caramel, vanilla pod and ripe stone fruit join oak, which arrives gently rather than aggressively. Compared with others here, it walks the line between approachability and complexity better than anything else. Some premium bottles offered bigger statements, but few were as consistently pleasurable.
Buy now £54.9, Thewhiskyworld.com
Bowsaw small batch
Best: budget bourbon whiskey
ABV: 40%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Excellent value
- Great mixer
- Crowd-pleasing profile
Take note
- Lacks complexity for slow sipping
Affordable bourbon can sometimes feel thin but Bowsaw proves far more capable than its price suggests. Sipped neat, it leans into classic notes of caramel, vanilla and light honey with a rye-driven prickle that keeps it lively.
It also absolutely sings in cocktails, delivering structure without disappearing. Where pricier competitors bring more nuance, Bowsaw counters with versatility and value. It’s a very good option for stocking a home bar without overspending.
Buy now £31.2, Masterofmalt.com
Yellowstone select
Best: bourbon whiskey for easy sipping
ABV: 46.5%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Soft and rounded
Take note
- Not the boldest
This is a smooth, mellow and extremely comfortable sipping bourbon. With notes of vanilla fudge, caramel, summer peach, leather, some brown sugar sweetness and light oak, it’s super approachable without ever becoming bland.
Moreover, the finish is impeccably smooth and dry with savours of oak and white pepper. For enjoyment that’s fairly uncomplicated and not too intensely nuanced, Yellowstone Select really hits the mark.
Buy now £46.5, Thewhiskyexchange.com
Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 release small batch Kentucky straight bourbon
Best: premium bourbon whiskey
ABV: 54%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Deep and complex
- Premium feel
Take note
- Somewhat less versatile than some other options
Bomberger’s Declaration feels luxurious from the first sip. Dark fruit, chocolate and powerful oak create a bigger, more dramatic profile than so many other bourbons, also showing off some very impressive length. It’s a serious whiskey that rewards patient sipping for anyone from bourbon novices through to connoisseurs.
That intensity, however, makes it less flexible for cocktails, and the higher price will deter casual buyers. Nonetheless, it’s a great special-occasion bottle or must-try for any serious bourbon-lovers.
Buy now £119, Thewhiskyexchange.com
Four Roses single barrel
Best: single barrel bourbon whiskey
ABV: 50%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Rich and expressive
- Great for sipping neat
Take note
- Less powerful when mixed into cocktails
A great option for precision and strong personality, expect loads of ripe plum, cherry and warming spice, wrapped in a velvety texture that feels more luxurious than many similarly priced bottles.
It tastes especially delicious when sipped neat, as its depth unfolds slowly and the finish really shines. Don’t bother mixing this one – it works fine in cocktails but it’s definitely best as a slow-sipper.
Buy now £44.99, Masterofmalt.com
Woodford Reserve distiller's select
Best: bourbon for old fashioned cocktails
ABV: 43.2%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Superb in old fashioned cocktails
- Full, robust flavour
- Great bar staple
Take note
- Slightly fierce neat
A bartender’s favourite for good reason, this bourbon has a richer body and spice-forward profile. It holds up brilliantly in an old fashioned cocktail, where sugar and bitters really amplify the dark chocolate, orange and toasted oak notes.
It’s still enjoyable sipped neat, though the alcohol presence is just a touch assertive. Few bourbons match Woodford Reserve’s authority when mixed into an old fashioned cocktail, however.
Buy now £32.5, Masterofmalt.com
Elijah Craig toasted barrel
Best: decadent bourbon whiskey
ABV: 47%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Big, indulgent flavours
- Great digestif
Take note
- Sweetness can dominate
- Less of an everyday bourbon
If your taste for whiskey leans decadent, Elijah Craig’s toasted barrel delivers real pudding-like intensity. Notes of marshmallow, butterscotch and baking spice come flooding through on the palate, giving it a dessert-friendly feel that’s unmatched by most competitors.
Next to drier, more structured bourbons, this one can verge on the heavy but it’s wonderful under the correct circumstances.
Buy now £49.9, Thewhiskyworld.com
Frey Ranch straight bourbon whiskey
Best: craft distillery bourbon
ABV: 45%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Distinct identity
- Nicely balanced
Take note
- Slightly less polished
Grain-to-glass producer Frey Ranch has brought a fresher, more cereal-forward personality to the table. Sweet corn and baking spice notes alongside a pleasant herbal lift set Frey Ranch’s straight bourbon whiskey apart from traditional Kentucky profiles. It’s characterful and interesting, especially when neat.
Against the very best here, it does feel a touch youthful, but for drinkers seeking something beyond the mainstream, it’s genuinely compelling.
Buy now £56.5, Thewhiskyexchange.com
Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Best: bourbon for mixing
ABV: 40%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Good balance
- Good neat or mixed
Take note
- Seasoned drinkers may want more intensity
Few budget bourbons are as reliable or recognisable as Buffalo Trace. Throughout my blind tastings, it repeatedly impressed with its harmony. Toffee apple sweetness is joined by gentle spice and a creamy texture that makes it dangerously drinkable.
It may not shout the loudest but its consistency is precisely the point. A benchmark for traditional Kentucky character, especially delicious when used as the foundation of classic cocktails such as an old fashioned, whiskey sour or brooklyn.
Buy now £23.95, Masterofmalt.com
Brother’s Bond straight bourbon
Best: modern crowd-pleasing bourbon
ABV: 40%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Approachable
- Versatile
Take note
- Not hugely complex
Brother’s Bond bourbon is a real newcomer, established in 2020 and only recently launched in the UK. Created by actors and longtime friends Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, Brother’s Bond has celebrity association, though thankfully there’s substance behind the style.
An easy-going mix of honey, vanilla and soft spiciness makes this one of the most immediately likeable bourbons on the list, slipping down effortlessly when sipped neat but also holding its own in a whiskey sour. More experienced bourbon drinkers may find it lacks fireworks but, for entertaining, it’s a safe bet.
Buy now £61.5, Masterofmalt.com
Jim Beam black 7-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Best: age-statement value bourbon
ABV: 45%
Bottle size: 70cl
Why we love it
- Great value maturity
- Fuller flavour profile than standard Jim Beam
Take note
- Less refined than premium picks
Age statements at sensible prices are becoming increasingly rare in the world of bourbon, and throughout whiskey in general. That’s just one of the draws that makes the seven-year-old Jim Beam black particularly attractive.
Extra time in oak really rounds the spirit beautifully, bringing deeper caramel and roasted peanut notes than the standard bottling. It doesn’t quite deliver the elegance of higher-priced rivals but, for the money, it’s hard to fault.
Buy now £31.5, Amazon.co.uk
What is the best bourbon whiskey?
When it comes to American whiskey, bourbon is still the first choice for so many drinkers, and for good reason. For something special that ticks all of the boxes, it’s impossible to go wrong with Michter’s US*1 Kentucky straight bourbon, which takes the top spot. For an all-rounder that’s great for mixing in cocktails, Woodford Reserve is a great, less expensive option, and for those seeking a great sipping bourbon with a true premium feel, Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 release is an easy recommendation.
How I tested bourbon whiskeys
During testing, each whiskey was assessed using the following criteria.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jonathan Hatchman is a writer who specialises in alcoholic beverages and spirits – he’s taste-tested everything from the best Japanese whisky to the best British lager. He combines his expertise with a keen eye for value, making him well placed to judge the best bourbons.
The wider IndyBest team has also reviewed a wide range of sprits from the best supermarket whiskeys to the best gins, so are well placed to give you recommendations on the top tipples to enjoy.
Want more recommendations? Check out IndyBest’s review of the best armagnacs
