The 10 Most Expensive Bourbons in the World

Bourbon is not a lot different from whiskey, in fact for a whiskey to be called a bourbon, it only has to meet parameters like it should be made 51℅ out of corn and the mash has to be distilled at 160 proofs or less. In short, it is a type of whiskey made primarily from corn and has been characterized to have a general flavor of big vanilla, oak and caramel notes. 

There are majorly three types of bourbon that are traditional, mostly rye and wheat bourbon, but hey do you know if any of these make up the most expensive bourbons in the world? Don’t worry, here’s a list of the most expensive bourbons in the world for you to look at and figure out yourself. 

Most expensive flavorful bourbons that you should definitely have a taste of in your lifetime:

10. Michter’s 25 year Old Single Barrel Bourbon – $ 12424

Michter’s distillery is the place where this expensive bourbon was born. The distillery is known to make a range of whiskeys which this fabulous drink is a part of. Talking about battling strength it is 116.2 proof with 58.1℅ alcohol by volume. 

Now the most important part, this product has a mouth-watering smell and the flavors become more concentrated and are complemented by cola, tobacco, spice, toffee, and pepper, and then hazelnut and vanilla just sit on the palate till the end. Delicious isn’t it? 

9. Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Straight Kentucky Bourbon – $ 12825

This marvelous drink was made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery located in Kentucky. The distillery also claims to be the oldest continuously running distillery in the whole US, which is a remarkable feat. if true. 

The drink has an interesting backstory, a tornado hit warehouse C in 2006 that went on to destroy the roof and expose the barrels within resulting in this unique spirit. This bourbon packs a lot of flavors within itself, which itself is a big deal, and then making those flavors blend and then taste immaculate is probably why people like to drink this expensive bourbon. 

8. Willett Family Estate Bottled Single-Barrel 16-year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $16660

As the name suggests this expensive bourbon was born at the Willett Distillery, a rye whiskey producer in Kentucky. Diluted to 40% alcohol, this is an unchilled filtered, barrel-proof, straight bourbon whiskey of an unusual depth and complexity. 

Now what’s commendable is the diversity in its taste and smell. The simple complexity and diversity of its flavors and aromas are heaven to everyone out there with fully functioning taste and smell buds. 

7. Eagle Rare ‘Double Eagle Very Rare’ 20-year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $17300 

Eagle rare is a brand of straight bourbon distilled at the Buffalo Trace distillery and as the name suggests this expensive bourbon matures double as long as the standard eagle rare (10-year-old whiskey). This is also no doubt a collector’s item, this is because the fabulous bourbon comes in a luxurious silver box and crystal decanter. 

Unfortunately, only a few bottles were manufactured with a number of authenticity on its back, making them more valuable and rare. And I have to even after 20 years of aging this is still a very balanced bourbon that packs a blast of flavors within itself. 

6. Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Family Reserve 16-year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $19417

As the name suggests, this bourbon was born in the Old Van Winkle Distillery which is a distillery that I don’t think a bourbon drinker is unaware of. This one of its kind bourbons was first barreled in 1974 and bottled in 1990. Anyone who is a collector of beautiful and rare things can also buy this because of the beautifully rare bottle that it comes in. 

Talking about its taste, you will be able to taste sweet vanilla with caramel, pecan, and oak wood., smooth a mellow flavor consists of robust, wheat cherries and oak and features a long smoky wheat finish with a subtle taste of fruit, spice, and oak tannins. 

5. Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey -$21152 

This expensive bourbon is made by combining 3 rye and 3 bourbon barrels ranging from 10-33 years old. And as the name suggests this mouth-watering bourbon was also made at Michter’s distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Talking about taste, when you first pour it in your mouth you will first be able to get the taste of caramel, vanilla, and torched brown sugar, then as you go on you will witness a blast of flavors such as cinnamon roll, coconut, chocolate subtle oak, etc. Also not to forget this spirit also has an alcohol concentration of 56.2℅.

4. The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $22155 

The last drop has been known to be focused on creating nearly extinct, rare spirits. They found this gem at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, a small company dedicated to bottling unique, rare, and exclusive drinks. Barrels of this expensive bourbon were discovered in 1998 after an inventory. 

Two years later its aging came to a stop but the growth of its taste notes did not. This 40-year-old drink is 90 proof and only 240 bottles are known to exist,  this makes it even more unique and rare. 

3. Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy’s Van Winkle Family Reserve’ 17 year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $22588

Julian Van Winkle the Third (the grandson of the founder of Stitzel Weller Distillery based in Louisville) is the owner of the birthplace of this bourbon. It is one of the most bought bourbons in the whole world and has a mouth-watering taste of sweet vanilla with caramel, pecan, and oak wood. 

There’s neither a lot of supply of this magnificent spirit nor is there a lot of information, which makes it one of the rarest expensive bourbon on the list of most expensive bourbon in the world. 

2. Colonel E.H. Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $25962 

Another delicious-tasting expensive bourbon is produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, a historic producer, known by a few other names in history, however, it claims to be the oldest continuously running distillery in the US. 

As the name suggests, it’s made by the sour mash technique, an old-fashioned technique used by Edmund Haynes in the late 1800s. The technique can be a little patience testing since it requires you to wait while the mash gets sour naturally before distillation. Talking about the taste, it first begins with a floral smell and an undertone of freshly baked bread. 

The palate is another mouth-watering element of this drink. If you love the light and fresh taste of the honey-drizzled toast, then you’ll like the palate which finally ends with strong hints of leather. 

1. Old Rip Van Winkle 25-year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – $55165

Bottled at 100 proof, this most expensive bourbon was born at none other than Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. It is extremely rare, only 710 bottles have been released globally. Each bottle of this spirit is made by hand and is a glass decanter designed by Glencairn Crystal Studio, each one is individually numbered and hand finished with a silver stopper. 

You’ll be able to feel the dominant taste of sugar which provides an excellent balance and flavor complexity to oak forward. In total it has the taste of caramel, vanilla, and soft oak. 

Summary – The Most Expensive Bourbons

I agree with most of you reading this, that it is out of the reach of middle-class people and seems a complete waste of money since it doesn’t provide anything beneficial, but hey, if you have the money to afford it and want to separate yourself from the rest of the world then you should definitely go for few bourbons in the list. 

FAQs on the Most Expensive Bourbons:

Fun Facts on the Most Expensive Bourbons:

• Not all bourbon comes from Kentucky.
• Bourbon is named after the House of Bourbon, a powerful French dynasty.
• Until 2014, there was actually no bourbon produced in Bourbon County.
• By law, bourbon barrels can only be used once.
• Barrels of bourbon outnumber humans in Kentucky.