14 Bourbons That Aren't Worth Your Money

Old Crow Bourbon Whiskey

Old Crow Bourbon screams budget from the moment you see the plastic bottle and dull label. But many buy it because it’s often the cheapest bourbon in the store, usually under $10.

Unsurprisingly, it tastes as cheap as it looks. Its smell is dominated by ethanol, and the taste delivers a harsh alcoholic burn. Some reviewers note hints of cloves and leather, but combined, they make Old Crow unbearably bitter—far harsher than Jim Beam.

Old Crow was the first brand in the U.S. to use the sour mash process, where the same yeast family starts fermentation each time to improve consistency. Unfortunately, this bourbon consistently disappoints, and if Old Crow wants to produce a decent drink in the future, it might need to rethink its entire process.