The Ultimate Bottom Shelf Bourbon Battle
What’s the best whiskey under $25? We blinded 19 bottles over 5 grueling rounds to answer that very question.
Round 1: One Clear Winner
In this episode, we reveal our favorite bottom-shelf bourbons under $25 and put them through a blind tasting to find the true standout. With heavy hitters like Benchmark Full Proof, Old Grand-Dad Bonded, Wild Turkey 101, and J.W. Dant in the mix, the competition is stiff. But just when we think the lineup is set, Fighting Cock crashes the party as a last-minute wildcard.
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓ 
Round 2: A Close Call
The battle returns. After our first bottom shelf blind tasting stirred up the comments, you told us what we missed—and we listened.
In this episode, we blind taste six viewer-recommended bottom-shelf bourbons and ryes, all 100 proof and under $25. Can these budget bottles actually compete with the big names? Or are they better left on the bottom shelf?
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓ 
Round 3: Brown Water or Hidden Gem?
The battle goes even lower. In Part 3 of our Ultimate Bottom Shelf Bourbon Battle, we’re tasting the cheapest and lowest-proof bourbons we could find. These bottles sit at the very bottom of the shelf—some under $15, none over 90 proof.
We’re asking the real question: Is any of this actually good bourbon? Or is it just brown water with a label?
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓ 
Bonus Round: The Worst of the Worst
These were the worst of the worst—literally. After three rounds of bottom shelf bourbon battles, these bottles all finished dead last. Now, they return for one final blind showdown to determine the absolute worst whiskey on the shelf.
We’re blinding them… so you don’t have to.
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓ 
Final Round: A Champion is Crowned
It all comes down to this. After rounds of blind tastings, we’ve reached the final showdown in our Ultimate Bottom Shelf Bourbon Battle. We’ve lined up the best budget bottles we could find, blinded them, and crowned one clear champion.
In this episode, we reveal which cheap bourbon delivers the most flavor for the money, proving once and for all that great whiskey doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re stocking your home bar on a budget, hunting for hidden gems, or just curious about what’s worth your hard-earned cash, this is the bottom shelf battle you’ve been waiting for.
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓ 
Thanks for watching. Cheers.
If this hit the spot, please consider supporting the studio.
