Whiskey (as it’s spelled in the U.S. and Ireland) or whisky (as it’s rendered in Scotland, Canada, and Japan) has become a big business. The size of the market is estimated to be $91.14 billion in 2022, according to Statista – a more than 14% increase from the previous year.
Whiskey, by either spelling, is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash, and usually aged in wooden casks for varying amounts of time. It’s one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world. Scotland (for Scotch) and the U.S. (for Bourbon and rye) are the world’s main important exporters of the beverage, while Irish whiskey sales have been growing exponentially, to the point that some industry experts predict it will overtake Scotch in the American market by 2030. Japan and India have also become major producers of the product, and overall, at least 25 countries now distill it. (These are the 25 best bourbons in the U.S. right now.)
Whiskey’s growth is buoyed by various factors, such as increasing disposable income and shifting consumer preferences. The millennial generation’s tastes gravitate toward mixed drinks, often involving whiskey of one kind or another, and they are key consumers of the product. (These are the world’s 25 most popular cocktails.)
Even though it is considered a premium beverage, there are plenty of moderately priced and well-regarded whiskeys on the market. To determine the best whiskeys under $50 in 2022, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the results of the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, a weeks-long multi-part event covering a wide range of spirits, judged by panels including spirits writers, bartenders, consultants, and other experts in the field.
Our list includes all the whiskeys rated from 93 to 97 points (the highest score given) that were priced under $50 for a 750 ml bottle. (Prices were suggested retail prices as of mid-2021, and may have changed since the judging and may vary from state to state and in some cases from store to store.)
Click here to see the best whiskeys under $50 in 2022
A number of the whiskeys listed are small productions from artisanal producers and may be hard to find – but they’re worth looking for. The list also includes some easy-to-find mass-produced examples that nonetheless score highly, including Jameson, Dewar’s, and Maker’s Mark.
Weller Wheated Bourbon Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 97
> ABV: 57%
> Price: $49.99
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Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5-Year-Old Islay Single Malt Scotch
> Score: 97
> ABV: 54.80%
> Price: $46
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The Legendary Silkie Irish Blended Whiskey
> Score: 96
> ABV: 46%
> Price: $39.99
Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14-Year-Old Speyside Single Male Scotch
> Score: 96
> ABV: 43%
> Price: $49.99
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Weller Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 96
> ABV: 48.5
> Price: $49.99
1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 95
> ABV: 62.50%
> Price: $44.99
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Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 95
> ABV: 47%
> Price: $29.99
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Dexter Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Five Woods
> Score: 95
> ABV: 50.30%
> Price: $49.95
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 95
> ABV: 57.40%
> Price: $49.99
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FEW Straight Rye Whiskey
> Score: 95
> ABV: 46.50%
> Price: $40
Bulleit 95 American Rye Whiskey
> Score: 95
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $24.99
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Teeling Small Batch Irish Blended Whiskey
> Score: 95
> ABV: 46%
> Price: $39.99
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Deveron 12-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch
> Score: 95
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $44.99
High West American Prairie Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 46%
> Price: $34.99
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Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 58.40%
> Price: $46.99
Heaven Hill 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $39.99
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Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $32
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Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 55%
> Price: $49.99
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Canadian Rye Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $32.79
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The Busker Single Malt Irish Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 44.30%
> Price: $29.99
Tom Bullock’s Burnt Orange Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 41%
> Price: $49.99
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Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 47%
> Price: $29.99
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Knob Creek Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $40
Templeton 6-Year-Old Rye Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 45.75%
> Price: $39.99
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High West Double Rye! Rye Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 46%
> Price: $34.99
Dewar’s 15-Year-Old Blended Scotch
> Score: 94
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $44
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Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 65.55%
> Price: $49.99
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Noble Oak Double Oak Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $34.99
John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $49.99
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1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 94
> ABV: 46.85%
> Price: $29.99
George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond Fall of 2008 11-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
> Score: 94
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $39.99
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Bendt No. 5 American Blended Whiskey
> Score: 93
> ABV: 41.50%
> Price: $24.99
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1792 12-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 48.30%
> Price: $49.99
Benchmark Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $19.99
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TX Texas Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $39.99
Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $31.99
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1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 49.30%
> Price: $39.99
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Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $39.99
Old Overholt Bottled-in-Bond 4-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey
> Score: 93
> ABV: 50%
> Price: $26.99
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Collingwood Canadian Blended Whiskey
> Score: 93
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $29.99
Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey
> Score: 93
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $36.99
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Glen Grant 12-Year-Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch
> Score: 93
> ABV: 43%
> Price: $46.99
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FEW Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 46.50%
> Price: $40
Jura Red Wine Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch
> Score: 93
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $35
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Maker’s Mark 1010 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 50.50%
> Price: $35.99
Dexter Straight Wheat Whiskey Finished with 200-Year Oak and Cherry Wood
> Score: 93
> ABV: 50.30%
> Price: $49.95
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Jameson Crested Irish Blended Whiskey
> Score: 93
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $37
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Jameson Black Barrel Irish Blended Whiskey
> Score: 93
> ABV: 40%
> Price: $49
Weller Antique 107 Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 53.50%
> Price: $49.99
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Brain Brew Private Stock American Oak Small Batch Bourbon
> Score: 93
> ABV: 45%
> Price: $29.94
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