10 Best Whisky Brands That Won’t Break the Bank

Whisky can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. Some whisky brands create excellent spirits without charging the big bucks in the marketplace. Happily, we found we could make quite a comprehensive list of brands we valued, and were able to create a list of honourable mentions: Cutty Sark Whisky, Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams, Wild Turkey, Old Forester, and Famous Grouse Whisky. 

There are also several single malt brands that we think deserve a shout-out. In some cases, they don’t have considerable core ranges or their output is smaller so things tend to sell out. But they all make excellent whisky and when independent bottlings are released they’re often some of the best value on the market. Think Ardmore, Edradour, Benromach, Craigellachie, Linkwood, Benriach, and Benrinnes.

Now let’s get to the list proper. Here are our 10 Best Whisky Brands That Won’t Break the Bank. 

1. Glen Moray Whisky

Glen Moray has several excellent single malts that are less than £30. Many are cask finishes. For somebody looking to explore what different casks bring to whisky, interested in understanding single malt, or who just wants a lovely whisky that doesn’t cost them an arm and a leg, Glen Moray ticks all the boxes. 

2. Dewar’s Whisky

Blended Scotch whisky is a treasure trove of value. Dewar’s is one of those brands that has it in droves, from its versatile White Label as well as cask finishes like Mizunara, mezcal, and rum that would typically set you back a pretty penny but don’t.  

3. Jameson Whiskey 

It’s not just the classic Jameson that is cheap, but the whole core range from this Irish giant is bargain after bargain. Crested remains one of the most underrated whiskies on the market. The Caskmates, IPA and Stout, are thrifty and nifty all in one. Its Orange Spirit Drink, and more premium Black Barrel – all don’t cost that much compared to the norm. 

4. Jim Beam Whiskey

Another place to find value is in big bourbon. The major players all create consistent, excellent products that are affordable. Jim Beam has flavoured expressions, a Rye, a White Label, a Black Label, its Double Oak bottling, and a very reasonably priced Single Barrel bourbon. Without the cost of, well, costing that much. 

5. Masthouse Whisky

Most whiskies that don’t break the bank come from countries that have been making whisky for a long time. They’ve built up successful brands that can leverage scale, efficiency, and market power to offer cheaper products. So it’s very impressive when a brand from an emerging whisky market, one that had very little in the way of distilleries just a decade or two ago, is able to offer whisky at a fair price. The Masthouse range of English whisky from Copper Rivet is a personal favourite, a phenomenally fruity and fun spirit with bags of personality that don’t set you back too much. As far as good value whisky from growing markets goes, we should also give an honourable mention to Paul John.

6. Canadian Club Whisky

A bartender staple because it’s reliable, versatile, and you can stock up without feeling the pinch, Canadian Club is simply put, very cheap. But let’s reclaim that word a bit while we’re here. Cheap doesn’t need to mean inferior, flimsy, shabby, tawdry, discreditable, unscrupulous, or distasteful. Life is expensive right now. Whisky is expensive. Cheap is a positive. Good whisky that’s cheap is a revelation. Praise be. 

7. &Whisky 

Islay single malts are one of the most pricey categories, like Japanese whisky if you want to drink whisky from there you typically need to shell out. That’s the price of high demand and lower supply. But the Seaweed & expressions are delicious Islay single malts without the premium pricing. The same goes for the old grains under the Butterscotch & series and the Candian whisky Maple Syrup &…

8. Loch Lomond Whisky

Loch Lomond makes single malts, blends, and grain whisky. All in-house. They’re delicious and they’re not expensive. What a set-up the Highland distillery has over there. Maybe a celebrity should commission them to make a tasty blend.

9. Black Bottle Whisky

Another blended Scotch and another fine example of how you can get your hands on Islay malt whisky without paying the big bucks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve recommended Black Bottle. And I won’t stop, dammit. I also share a lot of the same love for Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt. See. 

10. Four Roses Whiskey

The flagship Four Roses certainly is a bargain, but on the more premium side, this Kentucky distillery manages to up the quality without adding too much to the price. The Small Batch Bourbon is a prime example.

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