We all need a good bourbon from time to time, but let’s face it: Scoring a bottle of brown water isn’t always cheap. 

Some coveted bourbons, like Blanton’s Gold (MSRP: $120), have a relatively reasonable price, but they’re quickly scooped up by collectors or resellers. As a result, buying a bottle can cost several hundred dollars.

Then, there are labels like Pappy Van Winkle that regularly shatter records by selling at auction for five or six figures.

But drinking bourbon shouldn’t break your budget, which is why we scoured the shelves of liquor stores and bars in search of the best cheap bourbons. Let’s take a look at seven of the best bourbons for under $30.

Note that prices will vary depending on where you shop, and all prices are based on a 750 milliliter bottle unless otherwise noted.

1. Best Overall: 

Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Typical price: $29.99

ABV: 45%

Though many big-name bourbon distillers have published their mash bills (that’s the mix of grains used in the recipe), Buffalo Trace keeps its mash bills a closely guarded secret. Naturally, it’s become the subject of rampant speculation over the years. 

To be considered a bourbon, the mash bill has to be at least 51% corn, but many distilling detectives suspect the corn percentage in the Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey could run as high as 75% to 90%. The high corn concentration gives it a sweeter taste than you’d get with a higher-rye bourbon, though you still get a hint of peppery spice.

Whatever’s in the secret sauce, the flavors are surprisingly complex for a cheap bourbon, with notes of vanilla, toffee, oak and dried fruit. It’s great for drinking neat or with a drop or two of water, but you can add some club soda or ginger ale if you prefer.

2. Best for beginners: 

Four Roses Bourbon

Typical price: $19.99

ABV: 40%

Four Roses Bourbon has two mash bills and five yeast strains that it uses to make its bourbons. That means it has a total of 10 different bourbon recipes. While its other bourbons blend several of these recipes, the signature Four Roses Bourbon is the only one that features all 10.

Its flavor notes of honey, vanilla, florals with an ever-so-subtle spice, along with its relatively low proof (80, which is the minimum for bourbons) makes it an excellent cheap bourbon for beginners. Its smoothness makes it a perfect choice for drinking neat, even if that’s not typically your thing.

3. Best for high proof: 

McAfee’s Benchmark Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Typical price: $22.99

ABV: 62.5%

At the other end of the spectrum, McAfee’s Benchmark Full Proof Bourbon packs a punch at 125 proof, or 62.5% ABV. The “full proof” means it has the same alcohol by volume it had when it entered the barrel to begin aging.

The Benchmark Full Proof Bourbon has tasting notes of baking spice, leather, dark chocolate and oak. The high proof and rich flavors make it good for slowly sipping straight. But if drinking a high-proof bourbon neat doesn’t appeal to you, break out your copper mug and try it in a Kentucky mule. The spicy ginger beer nicely complements the high proof.

4. Best for Bottled in Bond: 

Evan Williams White Bottled in Bond 100 Proof Bourbon

Typical price: $22.99

ABV: 50%

Named for the man who was perhaps Kentucky’s first distiller, the Evan Williams label is now produced by Heaven Hill Distillery. But we think the man would be proud to know that his Evan Williams White Bottled in Bond 100 Proof is one of the best bourbons for the buck today. 

The “Bottled in Bond” label means it meets the standards of quality and authenticity standards spelled out in the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Bottled-in-bond bourbons have a four-year aging minimum, are bottled at 100 proof, and are produced at a single distillery in a single distilling season. 

Tasting notes are pretty typical for a classic bourbon, with flavors of vanilla, toffee, oak and a hint of spice and citrus. It goes down smoothly when you drink it neat, but it’s also a nice base for an old-fashioned or a Manhattan.

5. Best for cocktail enthusiasts: 

Old Forester 100 Proof Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky

Typical price: $23

ABV: 50%

Old Forester was the first type of bourbon to be sold in bottles instead of straight from the barrel, and it’s also one of the few labels that’s been produced by the same distillery (Brown-Forman) for its entire history.

The Old Forester 100 Proof is a reliably versatile foundation for pretty much any whiskey cocktail. Its sweet fruity notes are balanced with hints of nutmeg and spice, adding complexity to whatever you’re drinking. Try it in a classic old-fashioned, a whiskey smash, or a creative concoction, like a double barrel espresso martini.

6. Best for sipping on something sweet: 

Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Typical price: $21.99

ABV: 45%

You know Maker’s Mark from the signature hand-dipped red wax on the bottles, but the recipe for the stuff that’s inside is also a standout. It’s made from a soft winter red wheat instead of the standard rye, which gives it a sweet, yet full-bodied flavor with tastes of vanilla, oak and caramel, followed by a creamy finish.

The sweetness of the recipe makes it easy to sip neat. At 90 proof, it also goes down smoother than many higher-proof bourbons.

7. Best for high-rye enthusiasts: 

Bulleit Bourbon

Typical price: $23.99

ABV: 45%

On the other end of the spectrum, if you prefer the punch that a higher-rye recipe offers, check out Bulleit Bourbon, which contains about 28% rye in the mash bill. The high rye gives it extra spice, with notes of nutmeg, oak and maple.

If you like the higher spice, try sipping it neat. Otherwise, it’s a flavorful base for pretty much any whiskey cocktail.

How we chose the best bourbons under $30

There are plenty of cheap bourbons out there, but to choose the best bourbons under $30, we considered the following:

• Flavor profile and balance: We’d never want you to drink bad bourbon, so first and foremost, we considered the taste. But since everyone’s taste buds are unique, we looked for bourbons that cover a wide spectrum of tasting notes.

• Distillery and brand reputation: To find the best bourbons under $30, we wanted to ensure consistency, so we only considered bourbons from distilleries with a solid reputation for quality.

• Availability: Though there’s no shortage of amazing craft bourbons, many aren’t available nationally. We looked for bourbons that are widely available throughout the U.S.

As you sip your way through this list, toast to the fact that good bourbon doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of quality cheap bourbons you can enjoy for $30 or less.