Whisky is a luxury item.  It can range in price from several thousands for a rare bottle to a few bucks for a bottom shelfer.  While $100+ whiskies are becoming more and more common, they are still out of reach for many people.  Starting around Thanksgiving, folks ask me for whiskey suggestions in the $20 – $30 range.  I thought I’d share with you what I usually tell them.  I’ve limited this list to American whiskies, as Scotch whiskies generally command higher prices.

1.  George Dickel No. 12 ($25) – Solid offering from the Tennessee distillery.  George Dickel is technically not a bourbon, but it’s close enough. It has some great sweet corn, caramel, barrel char and flinty notes.  Great for sipping or mixing.  I like adding some to my barbecue sauce.

2.  Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond White Label ($20) – A four year old whiskey full of classic bourbon flavors.  It also packs a punch at 100 proof.  Evan Williams White Label is fine on its own, but shines in an Old Fashioned.

3.  Knob Creek ($30) – This (formerly) 9-year-old , 100 proof bourbon is a great sipper with it’s strong oaky and brown sugary notes.  You might still be able to spot an age stated 9-year-old Knob Creek on shelves.

4.  Rittenhouse Rye ($25) – Heaven Hill’s bottled-in-bond rye whiskey is extremely flavorful and better still, it’s very affordable.  I keep a bottle around the house mainly for cocktails (try making a Sazerac or Manhattan), but it’ll do just fine neat in a glass.

5.  Bulleit Bourbon ($25 – $35) – A great spicy bourbon due to the high amount of rye grain in the mashbill.  It is extremely versatile.  Lots of mixologists like using this one in cocktails, but it’s generally a sipper for me.

I hope this helps out.  If there are other budget-friendly American whiskies you’d recommend, please share in the comments below.

People have been asking me for whiskey-related gift ideas to buy for loved ones this holiday season.  In the spirit of that, below you’ll find several ideas.  Some I’ve personally tried, while others just seem like great gifts.  I’ve linked to the manufacturer’s website whenever possible.  You’ll notice a lack of actual whiskey on this list.  I’ve already put out a listing of my favorite whiskies of the past year, and a budget whiskey guide is forthcoming. 

Let’s start with one of my favorites on this list – Finlay & Co.’s Glanmorangie Originals.  The frames of these stylish sunglasses are handcrafted from used Glenmorangie casks.  Wearing a whisky barrel on your face never looked so good.  Build quality is top notch, and they are very comfortable to wear.  $450

Another entry in the wearable whisky category is a new denim jacket by Noble Denim, made in collaboration with Bulleit Bourbon.   There are co-branded tags and buttons, and the corduroy collar was aged in a Bulleit bourbon barrel.  My jacket looks great, fits like a glove, and is only going to get better over time.  If you want to buy one as a gift (or for yourself), act fast.  Like most Noble Denim products, this jacket is a small batch product, so it’ll most likely sell out in no time.  The jacket launches on nobledenim.com December 6th, and small runs are available at Manready in Texas, Tanner Goods in Portland, and the Pop Up Flea in NYC.  $285

Cocktail kits are a popular option.  Some include everything you need to make a couple of whisky-based cocktails, like offerings from Cocktail Courier.  I tried their Crown Royal Vanilla kit, and although I’m not generally a fan of flavored whiskies, the cocktails were quite tasty.  

Pappy Van Winkle and cigar fans can get their hands on Drew Estate’s barrel fermented cigars, available through pappyco.com.  These usually sell out quickly.  

Another great gift idea is a whiskey book.  Check out Fred Minnick’s “Bourbon: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of an American Whiskey” for a journey through bourbon’s never-boring history.  If you want to know more about Japanese whisky, pick up  Dominic Roskrow’s “Whisky Japan.” Booker’s Bourbon fans, or bourbon fans in general, will want a copy of “The Big Man of Jim Beam“, a new book about Booker Noe by Jim Kokoris.