When it comes to wine and spirits, price is not always the best indication of quality. Customers may see a large price tag on a bottle of liquor and assume it is of the highest taste and value. However, bourbon enthusiasts can enjoy delicious-tasting bourbon – without needing to spend a large sum of money on it. Here, family-owned and operated Pascale’s Wine & Liquors offers customers the best budget bourbons to try, which are under $30 and can be found on our shelves.

What Is Bourbon?

Recognized by U.S. Congress as a distinctive product of the United States, bourbon is an American whiskey that possesses very specific properties. It is distilled from at least 51% corn, aged in brand new oak barrels that have been flamed-charred, and must be bottled at 80-proof or higher. Generally, bourbon has strong hints of vanilla, oak, and caramel giving it its pleasant and smooth taste. However, bourbon’s taste often is determined by how it is made and its ingredients.

Different types of bourbon include:

Traditional Bourbon

The most common type of bourbon, the grain used in a traditional recipe is over 70% corn, with the remaining 30% divided between barley and rye. This popular type features a satisfying blend of sweet and spice.

Wheat Bourbon

Wheat bourbon is very similar to traditional bourbon – the difference is wheat bourbon uses wheat instead of rye. By adding the grain wheat, this variation gives off a sweeter taste that helps soften the bourbon’s distinctive burn.

Rye Bourbon

This type of bourbon is made with a larger portion of rye and almost no barley. Rye is a cereal grain that has long been grown and distilled throughout the U.S. – in fact, George Washington made rye whiskey at his Mount Vernon estate. To qualify as a rye bourbon, a whiskey must include a minimum of 51% rye grain in its mash, instead of a traditional bourbon’s mostly corn mash. This gives rye bourbon its recognizable bite: rye whiskies tend to have spicy, fruity notes, and aren’t as sweet as other types of bourbon.

Budget Bourbons to Try

The price of bourbon should not sacrifice its taste – and less-expensive bourbon should still possess the quality and values on which the alcoholic beverage was created. Pascale’s Wine & Liquors carries a wide range of great-tasting bourbon designed to fit any budget. Some excellent choices of less expensive bourbons include:

• Knob Creek 9-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Since its origin, Knob Creek has been a staple in the bourbon community known for its quality and affordability. This bourbon displays wonderful notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel, allowing it to be enjoyed neat or as a cocktail.
• Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label: This rich and delicious bourbon offers great value, as it is loaded with delicious flavors.
• Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Bourbon: Another excellent example of how quality and price do not correlate, Wild Turkey 101 is a wonderfully versatile choice. Spoil your palette with the sweet and spicy balance.
• Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 94 Proof: Elijah Craig was the first to char oak barrels earning him the nickname, “The Father of Bourbon." This award-winning bourbon has a warm spice and subtle smoke flavor, with notes of honey and wildflower.
• Old Grand-Dad Bourbon Bonded 100: They say that the proof is in the pudding, but in this case, it’s in the bourbon. Loaded with dark fruit and oaky notes, this 100-proof bourbon provides a little kick and heat.
• Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon: Named after the man who opened Kentucky’s first distillery back in 1783, Evan Williams has built a reputation for quality bourbon at an affordable price. Because it is aged longer than required by law, this bourbon is rich and goes down smooth, making it an excellent choice to enjoy.

Great Selection of Bourbons at Pascale’s Wine & Liquors

Serving the greater Syracuse, NY, area, Pascale’s Wine & Liquors in Fayetteville, NY, houses a wide range of budget bourbons, and higher-cost bourbons as well. Customers looking to try a new bottle of bourbon or wanting to stock up on their favorite can take advantage of our delivery services. For more information about our bourbon selection and other wines and liquors we carry, contact us today, and one of our knowledgeable staff members will happily assist you.