There’s nothing like good whiskey to make you forget your troubles. That is, until the next morning when you’re scrolling through your transactions. And you realize you spent a full week’s grocery money on a single unmemorable bottle.

You’ll remember that bottle all right, but for all the wrong reasons. Because realizing you paid top-shelf prices for overhyped whiskey leaves a bad taste in your mouth – especially when there are so many solid budget whiskies and cheap bourbons.

Signs a whiskey is overpriced

Whiskey taste is personal. If you like a whiskey, you think it’s worth the price and it fits within your budget, then it isn’t overpriced. Go ahead and splurge if it brings you joy.

That said, here are a few traits common to overpriced whiskeys, according to whiskey connoisseurs.

It claims it’s a 'limited release'

Sometimes, a whiskey’s high price tag boils down to the laws of supply and demand. Aging can take years, and there’s only so much space in a distillery. So even if the masses are clamoring for more, cranking up production isn’t exactly easy.

But many producers deliberately limit the supply just to generate hype. Or they claim a release is a “limited edition” or “small batch” as a marketing gimmick.

Some producers will indicate the specific barrel and bottle number on the label when it’s a truly rare release. The absence of such doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an overhyped whiskey. But transparency is usually a good thing when it comes to top-shelf spirits.

There’s no age statement

Longer-aged whiskies often command a premium price. That’s precious barrel space it’s taking up that can’t be occupied by other whiskey.

But whiskies with no age statement are becoming increasingly popular. Approach these selections with skepticism. Often, this approach allows distillers to combine older, more expensive whiskies with younger, cheaper ones. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad whiskey, but it also may not be worth the big bucks.

The packaging is overly flashy

Crystal decanters, wooden boxes, fancy calligraphy, collectible bottle stoppers (cough, cough, Blanton’s) all look impressive on your home bar shelf, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Read up on reviews before you shell out to be sure that the brown stuff inside matches the pretty packaging.

It has a ridiculously high proof

Higher-proof whiskey often commands a higher price tag. Some selections, known as hazmat whiskies, have a jaw-dropping proof of 140 or higher – that’s 70% alcohol by volume (ABV).

These insanely high-proof whiskies command a premium price in part because the supply is so limited. After all, not that many people are clamoring to drink fire in a bottle.

If you can’t stand weak whiskey or you want bragging rights, maybe the price tag is worth it. But considering the less-than-glowing reviews many of these whiskies get, a high proof may be a sign of overhype.

A celebrity is behind it

Bob Dylan may be one of the world’s most acclaimed songwriters and poets. But just because he’s a Nobel laureate, does that really mean you’re schooled on the craftsmanship of making whiskey? It’s worth asking, considering that many selections in his Heaven’s Door Whiskey cost $200 or more.

Beyonce can sell out stadiums, but can she make a good whiskey? I’d certainly hope so, since her SirDavis American Whisky will set you back nearly 90 bucks on average.

I’m sure there are some celebrities out there making some mighty fine whiskies. But often, celebrity whiskies are more about star power than substance.

If you want to give Beyonce’s whiskey a chance, you do you. But I’d rather drink cheap whiskey and save my money to see Queen Bey in concert.