When it comes to spirits, bourbon is often one of the first types of alcohol that come to mind. While it is true that there are some affordable bourbons on the market, there are also sevral bottles that come with a hefty price tag. Here is a look at some of the most expensive bourbons currently available and what makes them so special.
The Macallan 1926 60-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is commonly considered to be the world's most expensive bourbon. This bottle was made from whisky matured in sherry oak casks for an astonishing 60 years and bottled in 1986. With only 40 bottles ever produced, this rare spirit can sell for upwards of $75,000 USD per bottle.
Another very expensive bourbon is The Balvenie 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This limited-edition bottle was crafted from whisky that had been aged for 50 years in five different casks before being blended together and bottled in 2011. Only 88 of these bottles were ever released and they currently sell for around $38,000 USD each.
The next Bourbon on our list is the Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 Edition Japanese Single Malt Whisky which was released as a limited edition in 2017 to celebrate the completion of Suntory's new Mizunara Oak Aging Cellar at teir Yamazaki Distillery near Kyoto, Japan. This unique single malt whiskey was matured for 18 years exclusively in Japanese Mizunara oak casks, which impart flavors of sandalwood and incense into this special spirit. A bottle can cost up to $2800 USD.
Finally, we have Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finished Bourbon which was created by aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey first in traditional charred white oak barrels before finishing it off with a brief stay in freshly toasted barrels made from heavily charred wood staves. This process imparts extra layers of flavor into this whiskey while still maintaining its classic bourbon character. A 750ml bottle will cost you around $150 USD if you're lucky enough to find it!
No matter your budget or taste preferences, there's sure to be a bourbon out there that fits your needs. Whether you're lookig for an affordable everyday sipper or an ultra-rare collectible bottle, you're sure to find something perfect for your individual tastes!
The Most Expensive Bourbon on the Market
The most expensive bourbon currently on the market is Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is made in the United States and has an average price of $55,165. The whiskey has an ABV of 50 percent and tasting notes of sugar and oak. This luxurious whiskey showcases a deep, dark color that hints at its rich history, along with sweet caramel flavors from aging in new white oak barrels for twenty-five years. Its long finish leaves a smooth and velvety feeling on the palate that is truly unforgettable.
The World's Number One Bourbon
The number one bourbon in the world is Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon. This award-winning whiskey is made from a blend of four distinct recipes, each aged for at least five years in charred oak barrels. The result is a spirit that's rich and complex yet smooth and balanced, with notes of ripe fruit, honey and spices. On the palate, it's full-bodied with a sweet toasty finish. It's also versatile enough to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in cocktails. This high-quality bourbon has won numerous awards over the years, including Double Gold at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirits Competition. In addition to its superior taste, Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is also priced competitively relative to oher top brands.
The Most Rare Bottle of Bourbon
The most rare bottle of bourbon is the Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year Old. Only 7,000 bottles are produced annually and each bottle is hand-filled with a blend of wheat, corn, barley malt, and rye that has been aged for an average of 23 years. The nose offers notes of toasted oak, tobacco, and leather while the palate offers notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, and toffee. The finish is long and smooth with hints of dark chocolate. This rare bourbon is highly sought aftr by collectors and connoisseurs alike and commands a hefty price tag.
The Quest for the Holy Grail of Bourbon
The Holy Grail of bourbon is often considered to be Pappy Van Winkle. This iconic brand of whiskey has been produced in Kentucky for over 100 years, and is recognized as one of the finest bourbons in the world. It is made from a secret recipe uing corn, rye, and barley malt, aged in white oak barrels for a minimum of 15 years. With its unique flavor profile and smooth finish, Pappy Van Winkle has gained a reputation among connoisseurs that few other bourbons can match. Unfortunately, it's also extremely rare and hard to find – with only 7,000 cases released each year – making it the “Holy Grail” of bourbon.
The Ten Most Expensive Bourbons
1. Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Family Reserve 16 Year Old: This premium bourbon is made with a special family recipe and aged for 16 years in oak barrels, creating a smooth and complex flavor. It is the most expensive bourbon on the market, with a price tag of around $2,000 per bottle.
2. Eagle Rare Double Eagle Very Rare 20 Year Old: This exclusive bourbon is crafted from a high-quality blend of selected bourbons that have been aged for at least 20 years. It has a unique flavor profile that includes notes of vanilla, honey, and spice, and it sells for around $1,500 per bottle.
3. The Last Drop Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon: This limited-edition bourbon was produced in collaboration with Buffalo Trace Distillery and The Last Drop Distillers. It is made from a blend of 15 rare bourbons that have been aged for 25 years or more and has an incredibly smooth taste. A single bottle retails for around $1,500.
4. Colonel EH Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash: This small batch bourbon was created to honor the legacy of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., who was one of the founding fathers of the American whiskey industry. It has a sweet and spicy flavor profile with notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla bean, and oak wood, and it can be purchased for approximately $1,250 per bottle.
5. Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old: This highly sought-after bourbon is made from wheat grain mash bill that has been aged in charred oak barrels for 25 years or more before being bottled at 90 proof strength. Its flavors are deep and complex with hints of toffee, orange peel, and nutmeg spice on the nose. A single bottle costs around $1,000 each year when released.
6. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year Old: The oldest expression in the Pappy Van Winkle collection is this 23-year-old wheated bourbon which offers rich flavors including caramelized sugar, brown butter cake batter, dried fruits, baking spices with oak undertones on the finish. Bottles sell for up to $999 each year when released in limited quantities each fall season..
7. Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon: This small batch whiskey was crafted by master distillers at Willett Distillery usng an old family recipe featuring locally grown grains such as rye malt barley malt wheat corn rye oats wheat malt barley corn rye salt water yeast sugars fermented fruit juices herbs spices roots bark flowers seeds fruits nuts vegetables mushrooms eggs fish game birds poultry animals milk cream butter cheese waxes resins oils tannins colors flavoring extracts glycerin coloring agents etc… It retails for around $900 per bottle due to its unique flavor profile which includes notes of maple syrup molasses dark chocolate and cinnamon..
8th Thomas H Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey: Named after Thomas Handy who was knon as one of America's first great bartenders this whiskey is made with 95% rye grain mash bill offering aromas of baking spices peppercorns cinnamon nutmeg clove allspice ginger root orange peel banana chips leather tobacco pipe smoke dried fruit raisins plums figs apples pears prunes dates apricots currants peppermint molasses treacle mocha espresso coffee cocoa chocolate etc… Bottles sell for roughly $800 each year when released during fall season..
9th Parker's Heritage Collection – Promise Of Hope Bourbon : Created by Heaven Hill distillery this special edition whiskey brings together 8 diffrent batches of 10+ year old bourbons to create an incredibly balanced flavor profile including notes of dark chocolate praline roasted nuts spicy black pepper espresso beans burnt sugar cocoa nibs butterscotch crème brulee clove nutmeg allspice etc… One 750ml bottle retails for about $750 annually when available in limited quantities..
10th George T Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey : Produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery this award winning whiskey is crafted from a high quality mash bill featuring 70% corn 15% rye 15% barley malt creating an incredibly full bodied flavor profile full of rich notes like cherry cola dark chocolate coffee nuts leather tobacco smoky wood cinnamon vanilla caramelized sugar creme brûlée etc… Bottles retail at around $700 each year when released during fall season..
The Smoothest Type of Bourbon
The smoothest type of bourbon is wheated bourbon. Wheated bourbons are made with wheat as the secondary grain ingredient, in addition to corn and rye. This creates a softer, smoother flavor profile and feer ‘burns' than traditional rye bourbons. Popular brands of wheated bourbon include Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Old Elk Wheated Bourbon, Driftless Glen Bourbon, Old Forester Signature, and Angel's Envy.
Wheated bourbons are often referred to as bing “silkier” than other types of bourbon, due to their rounder taste that lacks the sharpness of rye bourbons. They tend to have a sweeter taste overall and can be enjoyed neat or over ice. 1792 Bottled in Bond is also a popular choice for those looking for a smooth sipping experience due to its lack of heat on the palate despite its 100-proof status.
The History of America's Oldest Bourbon
America's oldest bourbon is Buffalo Trace Bourbon. It is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, whch has been in continuous operation since 1773, making it America's oldest continuously operating distillery. The distillery was originally established by the grandfather of E.H. Taylor Jr., who is considered to be the father of the modern bourbon industry. Located in Frankfort, Kentucky, the Buffalo Trace Distillery produces a wide variety of bourbons and whiskeys, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, and Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon – all of which have become some of the most sought-after bourbons in the world. The distillery also produces experimental batches that are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs alike. Through its long history of whiskey production, Buffalo Trace has developed a well-deserved reputation as one of America's best bourbon producers – and its flagship bourbon continues to be highly sought after by fans around the world.
The World's Oldest Bourbon
The oldest bourbon in the world is made at Burks' Distillery, located in Loretto, Kentucky. It has been producing fine whiskey since 1773 and is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest original bourbon distillery operating in the United States. The distillery was purchased by Maker's Mark in 1954, and undr their ownership it has continued to produce high-quality spirits. The whiskey produced at Burks' Distillery is aged for a minimum of four years before being bottled and sold to the public. This aging process allows the whiskey to develop its unique flavor profile that has become synonymous with Maker's Mark. As a result, Burks' Distillery has become one of the most sought-after bourbons on the market today.
Conclusion
The most expensive bourbon in the world is Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve. It is a small batch, 23-year-old bourbon made in Kentucky and bottled in limited quantities. This rare and highly sought-after spirit has become a cult favorite among bourbon enthusiasts, with prices reaching up to thousands of dollars per bottle. Its flavors are complex and well-balanced, with notes of sweet tobacco, caramel, and vanilla. The lengthy aging process creates an exquisite complexity that makes this bourbon stand out from oher whiskeys. Though expensive, its smoothness and unique taste make it well worth the cost for those looking for a truly special indulgence.
