14 Bourbons That Aren't Worth Your Money

Bourbon, a type of whiskey, has seen a major surge in popularity since the early 2000s. This boom has brought big changes to the industry. The country’s largest distilleries are expanding rapidly, new products are flooding the shelves, and many bourbons now come with steep—and often inflated—price tags. While this growth is mostly good for bourbon fans, it also means there are plenty of bottles out there that simply aren’t worth buying, whether because they’re overpriced or just plain bad. Below, we take a look at some of those bourbons.

Everyone has their own tastes when it comes to bourbon, so giving blanket advice can be tricky. However, good bourbon tends to share some key traits—most importantly, balance. The trick to buying bourbon is finding one that strikes this balance, matches your personal preferences, and doesn’t cost a fortune. Unfortunately, as the following examples show, there’s plenty of bourbon on the market that falls short of these standards. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on where you live.