14 Bourbons That Aren't Worth Your Money

Kentucky Owl Dry State

Some rare bourbons sell for thousands of dollars on the secondary market, but it’s rare to see one launch with a four-figure price tag right off the bat. That’s exactly what happened when Kentucky Owl released Dry State, a blend of whiskeys all aged at least 12 years, made to mark 100 years since Prohibition began. Limited to just 2,000 bottles, this release was highly anticipated, and many collectors happily paid the $1,000 asking price immediately.

While the COVID-19 pandemic made people more willing to spend on high-end spirits, buyers soon admitted that Dry State was underwhelming. Though it offers notes of cocoa, fudge, and oak on the nose and palate, critics and customers agree that, while flavorful, complex, and balanced, it simply doesn’t justify its sky-high price. To make matters worse, many experts believe other Kentucky Owl bourbons—even one that originally sold for $300—are far better than Dry State.