Bourbon Dose

Bourbon is booming. Prices are up, bottles are scarce, and certain names get passed around like sacred relics. But let’s be honest—not every bottle with a cult following is worth your time or your money. E

Some bourbons get their reputation from scarcity, social media hype, or slick packaging. But when it comes to what’s actually in the glass, a lot of the time, the experience doesn’t match the buzz.

So here’s our take on the most overhyped bourbons of 2025, ranked from “just okay” to “what are we even doing here,” along with what you should be drinking instead.

1. Blanton’s Single Barrel

• We love Blanton’s. We’ve written many articles about every angle of Blanton’s, including a price guide and a reviews on Blanton’s gold. So just to be clear – this is an indictment on hype, not quality.
• Why it’s hyped: The horse topper. The bottle. The Instagram flex. It’s become the face of collectible bourbon.
• Why it’s overhyped: Thin flavor. Low proof. Huge variability between barrels. And a price that regularly crosses $150 on the secondary market.
• Try instead: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof — Big flavor, bold proof, and a bottle that actually delivers. Oh, and it’s half the price.

2. Weller Special Reserve

• Again, this is a delicious pour. But it’s absolute over-hyped.
• Why it’s hyped: It’s Buffalo Trace’s entry-level wheated bourbon, part of the same family tree as Pappy.
• Why it’s overhyped: Once a $25 sleeper, now an overpriced status symbol. Light on depth, low on complexity. Good luck finding it for less than $50.
• Try instead: Old Elk Wheated Bourbon — Richer profile, buttery mouthfeel, and actual character.

3. Eagle Rare 10 Year

Eagle Rare is 100% a go-to bourbon for a consistently delicious pour. But not for the $75+ it’s going for on the secondary market.

• Why it’s hyped: It’s age-stated, has pedigree, and if you can find it at MSRP, it feels like a steal.
• Why it’s overhyped: The bottle’s nearly impossible to find at retail. And when you do taste it, it often falls flat. Think slightly-smoother Buffalo Trace in a nicer bottle.
• Try instead: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year — More depth, better oak balance, and consistently available.

4. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series

• Why it’s hyped: Fancy names, cool staves, and a rotating cast of limited releases.
• Why it’s overhyped: Most of these taste like Maker’s with a twist. Sweet, sometimes unbalanced, and rarely as interesting as the label suggests.
• Try instead: Maker’s 46 Cask Strength (great review here) — A regular release with bolder structure and far more flavor. Even outside of your list, this one should always be on your shelf.

5. Calumet Farm 16 & 18 Year

• Why it’s hyped: Age statements that look impressive on the shelf. Bottle design (lol).
• Why it’s overhyped: Often drinks far younger than its age. The finish is short, and the mouthfeel doesn’t justify the triple-digit price tag.
• Try instead: Knob Creek 12 Year — Honest age, solid punch, and under 80 bucks. Go for the 13-year if you want to be fancy.

Bonus Overhyped Bourbon Letdowns

• Pappy Van Winkle 10 Year — You’re paying nearly a grand on secondary for a 90-proof 10-year pour. It’s good, sure, but not that good.
• Henry McKenna 10 Bottled-in-Bond — Once a sleeper hit, now often tastes rushed and overpriced.
• Bulleit Blender’s Select — Nice branding, but the whiskey lacks structure.

Overhyped Bourbon	Why It Misses	Better Pick	Why It’s Better
Blanton’s	Thin, low proof, high markup	Elijah Craig Barrel Proof	Big, bold, consistent
Weller Special Reserve	Flat profile, overpriced	Old Elk Wheated	Fuller, richer, less hype
Eagle Rare	Hard to find, not complex	Russell’s Reserve 10	Well-balanced, flavorful
Maker’s Wood Finishing	Gimmicky and sweet-heavy	Maker’s 46 Cask Strength	Structured, more interesting
Calumet 16 & 18	Short finish, overpriced	Knob Creek 12	Aged, available, delivers value

Hype is powerful. It makes bottles fly off shelves, but it doesn’t always make them taste better. Bourbon should be fun, flavorful, and something you actually enjoy drinking—not just something you hunted down because someone on YouTube said it was elite.

If you’ve got these on your shelf and you love them, no shame in that. But if you’re still searching, maybe it’s time to look beyond the buzz.

And tell us in the comments—which bourbon do you think is the most overhyped?