According to Wine Searcher, here are the 21 most expensive bourbon whiskies in the world. Each of these commands insane prices, and if you’re lucky enough to own a bottle on this list, you may have hit the jackpot.
List Of The Most Expensive Bourbon Bottles In The World
As of 2024, here’s a list of the most expensive bourbon bottles in the world:
- Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old (~$55,000)
- Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Selection’ 23 Year (~$41,000)
- Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Twisted Spoke’ 16 Year Old (~ $32,000)
- Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve’ 17 Year (~$30,000)
- Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Family Reserve 16 Year Old (~$24,000)
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash (~$24,000)
- Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey (~$21,000)
- Willett Family Estate Bottled Single-Barrel 16 Year Old (~$17,000)
- The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon (~$16,000)
- Eagle Rare ‘Double Eagle Very Rare’ 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (~$15,000)
- Brown Formans ‘King of Kentucky’ Single Barrel 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (~$13,000)
- Michter’s 25 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon (~$12,000)
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Straight Kentucky Bourbon (~$11,000)
- Buffalo Trace Distillery ‘The Sixth Millionth Barrel’ Kentucky Straight Bourbon (~$11,000)
- A.H. Hirsch Finest Reserve 20 Year Old Straight Bourbon (~$11,000)
- Weller’s Antique Reserve 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon (~$11,000)
- Elmer T. Lee ’90th Birthday Edition’ Single Barrel Sour Mash Bourbon (~$10,000)
- W. L. Weller 19 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (~$10,000)
- Martin Mills 24 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (~$8,000)
- A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey (~$8,000)
- Buffalo Trace Distillery O.F.C. Old Fashioned Copper Bourbon Whiskey (~$7,200)
The Top 21 Most Expensive Bourbons In The World Details
21. Buffalo Trace Distillery O.F.C. Old Fashioned Copper Bourbon Whiskey
Price: $7,246
At a measly $7,200, Buffalo Trace’s OFC bottoms out our list of the most expensive bourbon in the world. That being said, it’s still a unicorn and worth more than a few mortgage patments.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery O.F.C. Old Fashioned Copper Bourbon Whiskey is a legendary bourbon that honors the O.F.C. Distillery, a National Historic Landmark known today as Buffalo Trace Distillery. Tasting notes for this bourbon describe cherry cordial on the nose followed by caramel and slightly smoked-oak. Dark chocolate, tobacco leaves, and dates are found on the palate, followed by a lingering finish of leather, black pepper, and cinnamon.
The reason for its high price tag is its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production. Each bottle is inlaid with genuine copper lettering, reflecting Colonel Taylor’s embracing of copper to guarantee his whiskey’s purity. The bottles are a piece of art and have become one of the most sought-after in the world. Each bottle comes in a wooden presentation box, adding to its exclusivity and value.
20. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Price: $7,618
The A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a legendary bourbon with a complex history and a taste that’s out of this world. It was distilled in early 1974 at what would eventually be known as the Michter’s Distillery near Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. The bourbon had a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Rich sweetness on the nose, creamy vanilla and caramel, followed by oak spice are some of the tasting notes.
The reason for its high price tag is its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production. At the time, bourbon of such vintage was quite rare and had a limited market in the US. Naming it after the man who bottled it, Hue priced his A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 Year Old bourbon at a premium and sold most of it to the Japanese market, which had a tremendous thirst for international whiskey — including bourbon.
19. Martin Mills 24 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Price: $7,664
The Martin Mills 24 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a rare and exquisite bourbon, distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky. It has an ABV of 53.5% and offers tasting notes of dark fruit, wood, leather, honey, cinnamon, butterscotch, and spice.
The high price tag of this bourbon can be attributed to its rarity and the sporadic release of single-barrel bourbons. The time between releases varies because different barrels are used each time, making each batch unique and highly sought after. This scarcity and the craftsmanship involved in its production contribute to its high cost.
18. W. L. Weller 19 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Price: $10,168
The W. L. Weller 19 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is one of the rarest bourbons produced by Buffalo Trace. It was only released for 3 years between 2000 and 2002. This 90 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey became highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike.
The high price tag of this bourbon can be attributed to its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production. It’s hand-bottled, uncut, and unfiltered at barrel proof. Good luck finding a bottle of this. This line was discontinued after Sazerac purchased Old Rip Van Winkle distillery. The modern-day version of this is the William Larue Weller bourbon (which is part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection) – which in kind does not carry a 19-year age statement.
17. Elmer T. Lee ’90th Birthday Edition’ Single Barrel Sour Mash Bourbon
Price: $10,195
The Elmer T. Lee ‘90th Birthday Edition’ Single Barrel Sour Mash Bourbon is a supremely rare and collectible bourbon, released in select quantities to commemorate what would have been the 90th birthday of the late Elmer T Lee. It carries sweetly toned aromatics of caramel and toffee candy over smoky char, with a palate rife with rye spice, vanilla, and faintly fruity undertones.
This limited edition single barrel sour mash bourbon highlights the legacy that the master distiller left at Buffalo Trace. With no age statement and released in 2009, this bourbon clocks in at 90 proof and is super rare. If it weren’t for the limited-edition nature of this cult classic, it would not make it on our list of the most expensive bourbon.
16. Weller’s Antique Reserve 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon
Price: $10,632
The Weller’s Antique Reserve 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon is a fantastic old bottling of Weller’s Antique Reserve, aged 10 years and bottled at a barrel proof of 110. It was distilled and then bottled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery. The bourbon has a mash bill stated on the bottle label as “genuine Old Line sour mash”. It offers a lot of spice that immediately hits your nose, with subtle hints of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch.
Distilled in Stitzel-Weller and aged at the most-revered Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, this expensive bourbon is made using wheat instead of rye in the mash bill. It features tones of predominant oak that do not overpower the sweet sugars accompanied by flavors of toffee, caramel, and toasted marshmallows. The secondary market sells it at a premium because of its limited supply. This ultra-collectible bourbon was bottled in limited supply between 1961-1971.
15. A.H. Hirsch Finest Reserve 20 Year Old Straight Bourbon
Price: $10,899
The A.H. Hirsch Finest Reserve 20-Year-Old Straight Bourbon is a highly sought-after bourbon, distilled in the 1970s at the Pennco Distillery, and one of the most expensive bourbon bottles in the world. It’s no longer being produced, and its high prices are a reflection of the fact that only a few bottles are left in circulation.
The bourbon was initially distilled in 1974 at what eventually became the Michter’s Distillery, in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. This intricate web of ownership and control over the brand is part of what makes A.H. Hirsch Reserve noteworthy.
14. Buffalo Trace Distillery ‘The Sixth Millionth Barrel’ Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Price: $11,087
The Buffalo Trace Distillery filled less than 400 375ml bottles from the 10-year, 11-month-old single barrel, and the high price tag of this bourbon can attribute to its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production.
The distillery made this bourbon available exclusively to non-profit organizations for fundraising opportunities, raising over $1 million for charities around the country, and the exclusivity and limited quantity available contribute to its high cost.
Does this deserve to be on the list of the most expensive bourbon bottles in the world? Debatable. Some could argue that this is only expensive because Buffalo Trace intended it to be collectible.
13. Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Straight Kentucky Bourbon
Price: $11,096
The Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Straight Kentucky Bourbon is a unique bourbon that was filled from barrels that survived a tornado that ripped through Warehouse C at Buffalo Trace in 2006. This bourbon has a rye-heavy mash and was aged between 9 years, 8 months and 11 years, 11 months. It was bottled in bond at 100 proof.
The appearance of this bourbon on the list of most expensive bourbon bottles in the world could be attributed to luck!
The barrels on the top floor of Buffalo Trace’s “Warehouse C” were exposed to the intense Kentucky sun as well as several torrential rainfalls. This exposure to the elements and the warm climate influenced the bourbon within, causing rapid maturation. This once in a lifetime bottling was the result of a severe storm back in 2006 that damaged on its roof and north brick wall at the time. This was truly a special batch of barrels, and though the Distillery does not hope for another tornado, it feels lucky to have been able to release this once in a lifetime product.
12. Michter’s 25 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon
Price: $12,344
The Michter’s 25 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon is a rich, complex, and exceptionally well-balanced bourbon. It was distilled from a select mashbill, then matured to perfection for over a quarter of a century in specially chosen, new charred American white oak barrels. Age is a big reason behind the high price point of this bourbon.
11. Brown Formans ‘King of Kentucky’ Single Barrel 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Price: $13,449
The Brown Formans ‘King of Kentucky’ Single Barrel 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a limited-release, high-proof single-barrel bourbon. It offers a unique flavor profile with aromas of dark graham cracker, vanilla, and charred oak notes, sweetened with hints of port, cognac, and milk chocolate coated coconut.
The bourbon is released in limited quantities, and due to the rarity of these barrels, there is no defined annual volume. This exclusivity and the limited quantity available contribute to its high cost. There are approximately 250 total bottles produced, and it is only released in Kentucky.
See also: “Complete Guide to the Ultra Rare King of Kentucky Bourbon.”
10. Eagle Rare ‘Double Eagle Very Rare’ 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Price: $15,336
The Eagle Rare ‘Double Eagle Very Rare’ 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a very limited 20-year-old bourbon whiskey. It lives up to its name, maturing twice as long as the standard Eagle Rare 10-year-old bourbon. The bourbon has a complex aroma of toffee, orange peel, herbs, honey, leather, and oak, and a bold, dry, oaky flavor with notes of candied almonds and rich cocoa.
At $15,336, it breaks the barrier in our top-10 most expensive bourbon bottles in the world. But is the price worth it?
It’s presented in a luxurious silver box and crystal decanter. Very few bottles were produced, with an individually-numbered letter of authenticity included with each. This exclusivity and the limited quantity available contribute to its high cost.
9. The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Price: $15,695
The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a very rare bottling of vintage Buffalo Trace bourbon, distilled all the way back in 1980 and bottled in 2020 by The Last Drop Distillers. The whiskey was distilled in 1980, when the distillery was still known as George T. Stagg, and matured in virgin American oak casks for almost 20 years. It offers a flamboyant orchestra of flavors, transforming miraculously from a dark chocolate, almond, leather, caramel and oak to a gentle warming spiciness. Only 240 bottles of the rarity are available worldwide.
8. Willett Family Estate Bottled Single-Barrel 16 Year Old
Price: $16,659
The Willett Family Estate Bottled Single-Barrel 16 Year Old represents a very unusual whiskey in many regards. It showcases an un-chillfiltered, barrel proof, straight Bourbon Whiskey of unusual depth and complexity. Crafted on 4 June 1993, this 16-year-old Willet Family Reserve bottling has been maturing in warehouse E, rick: north 3, barrel No.18. Its nose reveals coconut, crème brûlée, and cedar wood, accompanied by aromas of roasted almonds and warm cinnamon spice.
This Bourbon label serves the sole purpose of their family’s Private Barrel Selection program and stands as the only label of its kind in existence. This uniqueness alone generates a certain level of hype and scarcity that bourbon geeks are absolutely attuned to. Willett Family Estate single barrel bourbons rarely see release, and when they do, they are either sold to private groups or to retailers, making it nearly impossible to purchase a bottle without knowing someone or paying exorbitant prices.
7. Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey
Price: $21,163
The Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey is a rare and most expensive bourbon that offers a complex and elegant experience. It was first released in 2013, marking the first time that an American company was offering a rare blend intended to rival the finest spirits made anywhere else in the world. The whiskey is a blend of first-use barrel whiskeys aged anywhere from over one decade to over 30 years old.
This bottle has only been released a handful of times by them, representing some of the rarest barrels from Michter’s stocks. As of the time of this posting (2023), there have only been 4 releases of this bourbon. The 2022 variant is up in that super high premium setting as well, being bottled at 115.6 proof for one of the just 277 bottles being made available.
6. Colonel E.H. Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash
Price: $23,784
The Colonel E.H. Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash is a super rare bourbon, distilled in 2002 using a souring process that allows the mash to sour naturally for days before distillation. This technique was pioneered by Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. in the late 1800s. The bourbon offers a floral aroma with an undertone of freshly baked bread, and the palate is unusually fresh and light, like honey drizzled over toast.
The high price tag of this bourbon can be attributed to its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production. It was released in 2011 and is a hat tip to the Colonel who pioneered the souring method used in making this juice. The combination of a rare estimated 10-year aging, winning the 2012 Gold Medal as one of the fifty best bourbons, and the extremely rare limited release make this bottle nearly impossible to find. This exclusivity and the limited quantity available contribute to its high cost.
5. Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Family Reserve 16 Year Old
Price: $24,374
The Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Family Reserve 16 Year Old is a real unicorn. It was originally bottled from the family’s personal reserve in 1990 by Julian Van Winkle III, after he had taken over the family business from his father Julian Jr. in 1981. He continued to release limited numbers of the prized 90-proof bourbon until it was depleted during the 2000s.
The main reason for the high price of this bottle is its finite nature. There is only as much as is left from the batch made in 1974 — and that is it. Its 16-year aging process makes for a surely smooth spirit, but the price point comes mainly from the fact it will not be around forever. It’s for this reason that it close in at #5 in our list of the most expensive bourbon bottles in the world.
4. Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve’ 17 Year
Price: $29,996
Julian Van Winkle III bottled this insanely rare bourbon in 1991. The Sazerac Company at its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky distilled and bottled the highly sought-after Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve’ 17 Year Old bourbon. Many people consider it one of the finest bourbons in the world due to its unique flavor profile, thick oily body, and a healthy burn on the first few sips. Its very low production and high demand can make it extremely difficult to find.
Scarcity drives prices, and with Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve in such high demand, it’s little surprise that the bottles are being traded for astronomical prices on the internet. It used to be the go-to Pappy for those tip-toeing into the collection, but its second-hand price has climbed from splurge to you-better-check-your-bank-account in recent years.
3. Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Twisted Spoke’ 16 Year Old
Price: $31,910
The Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Twisted Spoke’ 16 Year Old is a very rare bourbon, bottled by Julian Van Winkle in 1999 for the Twisted Spoke bar in Chicago. It contains a 16 year old Stitzel-Weller bourbon, bottled at 105 proof. This bourbon is renowned for its distinctive whiskey character and is considered one of the finest, most discernible styles produced in Kentucky.
Julian Van Winkle bottled the highly sought-after Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Twisted Spoke’ 16 Year Old bourbon in 1999 for the Twisted Spoke bar in Chicago. The bourbon features a 16-year-old Stitzel-Weller bourbon, bottled at 105 proof, and is renowned for its distinctive whiskey character, being considered one of the finest and most discernible styles produced in Kentucky.
The Twisted Spoke bar in Chicago produced this bourbon as a unique and limited release, making it extremely rare and in high demand, leading to its high prices at auctions.
2. Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Selection’ 23 Year
Price: $40,880
The Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Selection’ 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is often regarded as one of the finest bourbons in the world. It was first released in 1998 and is distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company at its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. The bourbon offers a deep amber red color and various hints of caramel, ripe apples, cherries, oak wood, and tobacco with a hint of chocolate. This bourbon finishes with a long-lasting and pleasant taste, starting with a lot of wood flavors but leading to a nice sweet caramel finish.
The high price tag of this bourbon can be attributed to its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production. Only the most careful and expensive distilling method can be used to create a whiskey as special as this one. These barrels were carefully selected from the heart of the warehouse for an added three years of aging.
1. Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old
Price: $55,665
At $55,665, Old Rip Vn Winkle 25 tops our list of the most expensive bourbon bottles in the world.
The Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old bourbon is one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world. Stitzel-Weller distilled this bourbon in 1989, and it aged for 25 years.
According to Julian Van Winkle’s release note:
“This is a once in a lifetime offering and the beautiful decanter and wooden box just take it to the next level and make it something in which I’m very proud to be associated.”
The bourbon offers a deep amber red color and various hints of caramel, ripe apples, cherries, oak wood, and tobacco with a hint of chocolate.
The high price tag of this bourbon is attributed to its rarity and the craftsmanship involved in its production. It originally retailed for $1,800 when it was released in 2017, but now fetches as much as $70,000. The bourbon aged for 25 years, which is a long time in the bourbon world. This exclusivity and the limited quantity available contribute to its high cost.
There’s a few reviews here and there on the internet, but Bourbon Banter sums it up nicely:
If you don’t have a horseshoe permanently implanted in your body, this unicorn may never cross your path. If you do have a local bar fortunate enough to land a bottle, but you don’t have the bankroll to pay for a pour, ask your bartender for a quick nose of the bottle; it’s worth a whiff for free. I’m a fan of this pour at a bar for a reasonable price; I realize that “reasonable” is entirely subjective. However, I cannot imagine forking over $10,000 to $15,000 secondary for this (or any bottle for that matter). Yes, people, even I have limits.
That’s the list! All 21 if the most expensive bourbon bottles in the world! Have you ever tried one of these unicorns? If so, we’d love to add your tasting notes to this post! Reach out in the comments or hit us up on social media.
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