Best Bourbon Under £40 for UK Cocktails

Good bourbon is easier to find at sensible prices than most people think. You can buy excellent bourbon for £25–£40 in UK shops. The sweet spot for mixing cocktails sits around £30–£35 per bottle. Many award-winning distilleries release solid entry-level bourbons.

What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is an American whiskey made from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years, and produced in the USA (typically Kentucky). It's sweeter and fuller than rye whisky, with vanilla and caramel notes that make it perfect for cocktails and sipping.

Why Bourbon Under £40 Makes Sense for Home Bars

Starting a serious home bar doesn't mean spending £60 on a single bottle. Budget-friendly bourbons punch well above their price, especially in mixed drinks where ice and citrus bring out their sweetness and oak spice. You'll actually taste the bourbon's character in a proper cocktail—the corn sweetness, the barrel char, the vanilla—rather than getting lost under expensive ingredients.

Most home bartenders find that once you hit £30–£35, you've got a bottle that's genuinely versatile. It works in an Old Fashioned, a Mint Julep, a Whiskey Smash, or neat with a cube. You can also stretch each bottle further: a 70cl bottle makes roughly 23 standard drinks, so a £35 bottle costs about £1.50 per serve.

Top Budget-Friendly Bourbons for Cocktails

Buffalo Trace

This is the workhorse of affordable bourbon. You'll find Buffalo Trace (90 proof, 45% ABV) in most UK supermarkets and specialist shops for £25–£30. It's a wheated bourbon (softer corn finish, less rye spice) with generous caramel and vanilla. It's honest, uncomplicated, and forgiving in cocktails—great for Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. Not flashy, but absolutely reliable.

Woodford Reserve

A step up in polish and complexity. Woodford Reserve (90.4 proof, 45.2% ABV) runs £32–£38 and offers a richer mouthfeel with more oak and spice. It's a favourite among bartenders for its balance; it won't overpower a long drink but has enough character to stand alone. Try it in a Bourbon Sidecar or a Whiskey Sour—the spice notes cut through citrus beautifully.

Maker's Mark

Another wheated bourbon and a household name for good reason. Maker's Mark (90 proof, 45% ABV) sits at £28–£34. It's smooth, slightly sweet, and friendly to newcomers. The wheat gives it a softer finish than traditional bourbons. It's brilliant for spirit-forward drinks where you want sweetness to shine (Mint Juleps, Boulevardiers) and perfectly drinkable neat or with water.

Elijah Craig Small Batch

This one punches above its price point. At £30–£36, Elijah Craig Small Batch (94 proof, 47% ABV) is a wheated bourbon with noticeably more depth: dried fruit, toffee, and a slightly peppery finish. It's aged longer than many competitor bourbons at this price, and you taste it. Excellent for Sazeracs, Juleps, or sipping neat with an ice sphere.

Evan Williams

If you're mixing large batches for a party or keeping a bottle purely for cocktails, Evan Williams (86 proof, 43% ABV) is a steal at £20–£25. It's light, approachable, and surprisingly pleasant mixed. Not as complex as pricier options, but it never tastes thin or harsh. It's proof that you don't need to spend £40 to make a great drink.

Four Roses

Four Roses (80 proof, 40% ABV) sits at £25–£32 and offers something distinctive: it's a blend of four different yeast strains and two mash bills, which gives it a floral, slightly fruity character. It's more delicate than traditional bourbon, making it excellent in Whiskey Sours, Daiquiris, or mixed with ginger ale for a casual long drink.

Where to Buy Bourbon Under £40 in the UK

High street supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda) stock most of these bottles, though selection varies. Master of Malt is excellent for browsing by price and tasting notes, with reliable delivery across the UK. Independent bottle shops often have staff who know their stock well and can recommend based on your drinking style. Online specialists like The Whisky Exchange and Ocado also carry good ranges, often with competitive pricing on multi-buys.

Cocktails That Shine With Budget Bourbon

Some drinks are genuinely better when made with straightforward, approachable bourbon rather than premium bottles. Spirit-forward cocktails let the bourbon's character sing without expensive extras masking its faults.

• Old Fashioned: 60ml bourbon, 1 sugar cube, 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters, ice, orange twist. This is where bourbon lives; buy a decent bottle and make this drink often.
• Mint Julep: 60ml bourbon, 12 fresh mint leaves, 20ml simple syrup, crushed ice, mint sprig. Classic, refreshing, and a showcase for wheated bourbons like Maker's Mark.
• Whiskey Sour: 45ml bourbon, 25ml fresh lemon juice, 15ml simple syrup, optional egg white. Citrus balances bourbon's sweetness; this is an easy first cocktail to master.
• Sazerac: 60ml bourbon (or rye), rinse with absinthe, Peychaud's bitters, lemon twist. A serious drink where quality bourbon shines, but not expensive bourbon.
• Manhattan: 50ml bourbon, 25ml sweet vermouth, 2 dashes Angostura, cherry, ice. The vermouth matters as much as the bourbon here, so this is forgiving.
• Bourbon Smash: 50ml bourbon, 25ml fresh lemon juice, 15ml simple syrup, 6–8 mint leaves, ice. Modern, approachable, and lets you taste the bourbon without pretension.

Bourbon vs Rye: Which Should You Buy?

Rye whiskey has more spice and dryness; bourbon has more sweetness and vanilla. For cocktails, it depends on taste. If you like fruit-forward Sours and sweet Juleps, buy bourbon. If you prefer dry Sazeracs and Manhattans, rye might suit you better. Many home bars stock both. You can explore more options in our guides to bourbon cocktails and whisky cocktails to see what appeals.

Storage and Serving Tips

Keep bourbon in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight; the pantry is perfect. Once opened, a bottle lasts 6–8 months if properly sealed. Don't refrigerate bourbon unless you're planning to drink it immediately—cold dulls flavour. For cocktails, chill your glass first with ice, then build the drink. For neat sipping, add a single large ice cube or a splash of water to open up the flavours. Room temperature is ideal for appreciating a bourbon's complexity.

Building a Starter Bourbon Collection

You don't need five bottles to start. Pick one wheated bourbon (Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace) and one spicier option (Four Roses or Woodford Reserve). That gives you range for different cocktails and moods. Add a bottle specifically for mixing (Evan Williams) if you're making drinks for groups. As you explore more, check The Cocktail Pub's AI cocktail generator to discover new drinks using what you already own, then revisit our blog for deeper guides on technique and spirit selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bourbon under £40 good enough for cocktails?

Absolutely. Most bourbons in the £25–£40 range are specifically designed for mixing and taste excellent in cocktails. Spirit-forward drinks like an Old Fashioned or Mint Julep showcase the bourbon's character without any sense of compromise. Professional bartenders use these exact bottles.

What's the difference between bourbon and whisky?

Bourbon is a type of American whisky made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred barrels. Whisky is a broader category including Scotch, Irish, Canadian, and rye varieties. All bourbon is whisky, but not all whisky is bourbon.

Can I drink these bourbons neat, or are they just for mixing?

They're genuinely pleasant neat or with water. Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, and Elijah Craig Small Batch are all smooth enough to sip as an everyday dram. You don't need expensive bourbon to enjoy it straight; these bottles offer real character at fair prices.

Which bourbon is best for a beginner?

Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace are ideal starting points. Both are soft, approachable, and available everywhere. Maker's Mark is slightly sweeter; Buffalo Trace slightly spicier. Try a small measure of each and see which direction appeals, then build from there.

How long does an opened bottle of bourbon last?

A sealed bottle lasts 6–8 months, sometimes longer. Unlike wine, bourbon doesn't spoil if left open, but it does oxidise slowly and lose subtle flavours. Store with the cap tightly sealed in a cool, dark place. Most home bars drink a bottle well before any decline happens.

Where can I find recommendations for cocktails with these bourbons?

The Cocktail Pub's bourbon cocktail collection has dozens of recipes using exactly these kinds of bottles. You can also use the AI cocktail generator to input the specific bottles you own and get tailored drink ideas.

Is there much difference in taste between a £25 bourbon and a £40 bourbon?

Yes, but not always in the way you'd expect. A £40 bourbon might be older, more complex, or rarer—but a £25 bourbon can taste just as good in a cocktail. The main differences appear when comparing neat; aged spirits show more depth. For mixing, the difference is subtle, and personal taste matters more than price.

Final Thoughts

Building a home bar doesn't require opening your wallet wide. The bourbons under £40 that we've covered here—Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, and the rest—are genuinely excellent spirits that bartenders and home drinkers trust. They're forgiving, versatile, and taste great. Pick one that appeals, learn to make an Old Fashioned or Mint Julep properly, and you've got the foundation for a lifetime of good drinks. The Cocktail Pub is here whenever you want to explore new recipes or techniques with whatever's in your cabinet.

Recipes by spirit

Browse cocktail ideas on The Cocktail Pub:

• Bourbon cocktails — classic recipes and ideas
• Whisky cocktails — classic recipes and ideas

More guides in the journal or use the AI generator.