12 Best Bourbon Brands to Buy in the UK in 2026
Updated 1 September 2026. This UK buying guide compares 12 widely available bourbon brands using current bottle specifications, live UK retail prices, and Best Whiskey Guide review notes where a full review is available.
Affiliate disclosure: Some Amazon links are affiliate links. If you buy through one, Best Whiskey Guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Retailer reference links are included so you can compare current prices before buying.
If you want one simple answer, start with Buffalo Trace below £25, choose Wild Turkey 101 when you want more proof for cocktails, or buy Woodford Reserve when presentation and versatility matter. Bourbon prices move often, so treat every figure as a dated reference rather than a promise.
12 Bourbon Bottles Compared
| Bottle | ABV | Reference price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Beam White Label | 40% | £22.95 | Mixing and value |
| Buffalo Trace | 40% | £23.50 | Easy first bourbon |
| Four Roses Bourbon | 40% | £26.50 | Light fruit and spice |
| Maker’s Mark | 45% | £28.95 | Soft wheated style |
| Bulleit Bourbon | 45% | £31.50 | Spicier cocktails |
| Four Roses Small Batch | 45% | £35.50 | Balanced sipping |
| Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond | 50% | £36.95 | High proof on a budget |
| Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select | 43.2% | £36.75 | Manhattans and gifting |
| Wild Turkey 101 | 50.5% | £37.25 regular | Old Fashioneds |
| Eagle Rare 10 Year Old | 45% | £37.75 | Oak-led sipping |
| Knob Creek 9 Year Old | 50% | £39.95 | Full-bodied bourbon |
| Elijah Craig Small Batch | 43.5% | £45.50 | Rich, mature style |
Prices were checked at The Whisky Exchange on 1 September 2026. Delivery costs and short-term offers can change the final total.
How These Bourbons Were Selected
This is a buying guide, not a claim that all 12 bottles were retested side by side in 2026. The shortlist is based on UK availability, current price, proof, style, and the site’s existing review coverage. Where Best Whiskey Guide has a dedicated bottle review, it is linked. For the remaining bottles, the guidance stays with verifiable specifications and practical buying use.
- UK availability: a bottle must be realistically obtainable from a mainstream or specialist UK retailer.
- Clear job: each bottle needs a sensible use, such as a first bourbon, a cocktail bottle, or a richer sipper.
- Value at today’s price: a famous label is not enough if a better bottle is available for the same money.
- Useful comparisons: see the best whisky for beginners guide if you are choosing your first bottle across all whisky styles.
Best Bourbon Under £30 in the UK
Four bottles in this guide were listed below £30 at the time of checking. Jim Beam White Label is the cheapest practical mixer. Buffalo Trace is the easiest all-round recommendation. Four Roses Bourbon offers a lighter fruit-and-spice profile, while Maker’s Mark gives you a softer wheated style at 45% ABV.
| Bottle | Price checked | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Beam White Label | £22.95 | Mixing and value |
| Buffalo Trace | £23.50 | Easy first bourbon |
| Four Roses Bourbon | £26.50 | Light fruit and spice |
| Maker’s Mark | £28.95 | Soft wheated style |
The 12 Best Bourbon Brands for UK Buyers
1. Jim Beam White Label: Best Low-Cost Mixer
At £22.95, Jim Beam White Label is the lowest-priced bottle in this shortlist. Its 40% ABV and familiar vanilla, caramel and oak profile make most sense in a highball, Whiskey Sour or bourbon and cola. Buy it for mixing, not because it is the most detailed neat pour here.
Amazon option: Check Jim Beam White Label on Amazon UK. Compare the final delivered price with the specialist-retailer reference above.
2. Buffalo Trace: Best First Bourbon
Buffalo Trace combines an approachable 40% ABV with caramel, vanilla, orange peel and gentle oak. At £23.50 it remains the strongest simple recommendation for someone who wants one bottle that can be sipped, served over ice, or mixed. Read the full Buffalo Trace review for the site’s detailed verdict.
Amazon option: Check Buffalo Trace on Amazon UK.
3. Four Roses Bourbon: Best Light, Fruity Style
At £26.50, Four Roses Bourbon gives UK buyers a lighter route into bourbon. It suits drinkers who prefer fruit and spice to heavy oak. It also works well in a Whiskey Sour because the profile stays bright rather than turning woody. The Four Roses bourbon guide explains the brand in more detail.
4. Maker’s Mark: Best Wheated Bourbon for Beginners
Maker’s Mark uses wheat rather than rye as its flavouring grain, which generally produces a rounder, softer profile. At £28.95 and 45% ABV it is a sensible step up from entry-level 40% bottles. Read the Maker’s Mark review if you want a closer look at the style.
Amazon option: Check Maker’s Mark on Amazon UK.
5. Bulleit Bourbon: Best for a Spicier Cocktail
Bulleit sits at 45% ABV and was listed at £31.50. Its rye-led spice makes it a useful Manhattan or Old Fashioned bottle for drinkers who find softer bourbons too sweet. If you mainly drink neat and dislike peppery spice, Buffalo Trace or Maker’s Mark is the safer choice.
Amazon option: Check Bulleit Bourbon on Amazon UK.
6. Four Roses Small Batch: Best Balanced Gift Under £40
Four Roses Small Batch was listed at £35.50 and bottled at 45% ABV. It offers a more polished step up from the standard Four Roses bottle without moving into luxury pricing. The combination of approachable proof, a recognised name and a presentable bottle makes it a reliable gift.
Amazon option: Check Four Roses Small Batch on Amazon UK.
7. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Best High-Proof Value
At 50% ABV, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond has the proof to stand up to ice and strong cocktail ingredients. The £36.95 reference price is higher than old UK listings, but it remains useful for buyers who want a robust bourbon without paying premium single-barrel prices. It is a poor first choice for anyone sensitive to alcohol heat.
Amazon option: Check Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond on Amazon UK.
8. Woodford Reserve: Best for Manhattans and Gifting
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select was listed at £36.75. Its 43.2% ABV, dark-fruit character and spice make it particularly useful in a Manhattan. It is also one of the easiest bottles here to give as a present. The Woodford Reserve review includes the site’s testing notes and current value concerns.
Amazon option: Check Woodford Reserve on Amazon UK.
9. Wild Turkey 101: Best Old Fashioned Bourbon
Wild Turkey 101 is bottled at 50.5% ABV, so it keeps its flavour after dilution from ice and sugar. The regular specialist price was £37.25, although short supermarket promotions can be much lower. It is the most convincing cocktail buy in this guide when the price drops. See the updated Wild Turkey 101 review for the live UK price check.
Amazon option: Check Wild Turkey 101 on Amazon UK.
10. Eagle Rare 10 Year Old: Best Oak-Led Sipper
Eagle Rare carries a 10-year age statement and 45% ABV. At £37.75 it is attractive when available close to the reference price, especially for drinkers who want more oak and length than an entry-level bourbon. Stock can be inconsistent, so avoid paying a large scarcity premium.
Amazon option: Check Eagle Rare 10 on Amazon UK.
11. Knob Creek 9 Year Old: Best Full-Bodied Bourbon
Knob Creek 9 combines a nine-year age statement with 50% ABV. The £39.95 listing makes it a strong option for experienced drinkers who want toasted oak, vanilla and a firmer finish. Read the Knob Creek Small Batch review before choosing it over a softer bottle.
Amazon option: Check Knob Creek 9 on Amazon UK.
12. Elijah Craig Small Batch: Best Rich Step-Up Bottle
Elijah Craig Small Batch was listed at £45.50 and 43.5% ABV. This is the bottle to choose when you want a richer, more mature style and are comfortable spending above the busiest £25 to £40 part of the market. The Elijah Craig Small Batch review gives the fuller buying verdict.
How to Choose the Right Bourbon
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The safest first bottle | Buffalo Trace | Low price, approachable proof, versatile profile |
| A softer style | Maker’s Mark | Wheated recipe and 45% ABV |
| The best cocktail proof | Wild Turkey 101 | 50.5% ABV holds up to dilution |
| A presentable gift | Woodford Reserve | Recognisable bottle and versatile flavour |
| More age and oak | Eagle Rare 10 or Knob Creek 9 | Age statements and firmer oak character |
Where to Buy Bourbon in the UK
Specialist retailers are useful for comparing less common bottles, while supermarkets can win on short promotions. Check the exact bottle size and ABV because UK and US versions can differ. Amazon is convenient, but third-party seller prices can move sharply, so compare the delivered total before ordering.
The Amazon button above opens the Best Whiskey Guide affiliate store. It is a general shop link, not a claim that every bottle in this guide is currently stocked or cheapest there.
Bourbon Buying FAQ
What is the best bourbon for a beginner?
Buffalo Trace is the easiest starting point at the current UK price. Maker’s Mark is better if you specifically want a softer wheated style. If you are new to all whisky, compare both with the site’s broader beginners guide.
What is the best bourbon under £30?
Buffalo Trace offers the best balance of price and versatility in this list. Jim Beam is cheaper for mixing, while Maker’s Mark is the stronger choice if you want 45% ABV and a wheated recipe.
Which bourbon is best for an Old Fashioned?
Wild Turkey 101 is the strongest recommendation because its 50.5% ABV holds up after dilution. Bulleit is a good alternative if you prefer more rye spice.
Why is bourbon called whiskey?
Bourbon is a legally defined style of American whiskey. For the production basics, read what bourbon is made from and check the label for the exact bottle specification.
Responsible drinking: This guide is for UK adults aged 18 and over. Prices and availability can change. Please drink responsibly.
