Some Bourbon Is Impossible to Find — Here Are The Best Alternatives

You’ve likely heard stories about ‘hyped’ watches or sneakers that, after release, end up going for resale at multiples of their original MSRP. Well, the world of bourbon hasn’t been spared from this trend. Because of internet-fueled feverish excitement and some shrewd business decisions, there are bottles in circulation that are impossible to find and ridiculously expensive when you do. To be fair, it’s not all the fault of forums or distilleries, although they do play a part here.

There’s a three-tier system that controls how liquor is sold in the US: distilleries, distributors and retailers. At each stage the price is marked up, so although a distillery might set the price of a bottle of bourbon at $20, by the time it reaches a liquor store shelf it may reach $30. The exception here is control states, in which the price is regulated. Some bourbon releases are allocated by the distilleries, meaning that a limited number of bottles reach the market. Sometimes this is because the amount of whiskey is actually limited, while other times it may be manufactured scarcity.

There are, however, good alternatives to many unicorn bottles of bourbon. Here are five infamously elusive bourbons, and our suggested alternatives for you to consider.

The Pappy Van Winkle Alternative

Makers Mark

Best Pappy Van Winkle Alternative

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon Whisky

• $41.99 at Caskers

Pappy is a wheated bourbon that has been lionized over the past decade or so. Sure, it’s delicious, although some might argue that expressions aged 20 years or more are on the tannin side. If you want a wheated bourbon that is nearly as good at a fraction of the price, pick up a bottle of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength for $35 instead.

The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Alternative

Knob Creek

Best Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Alternative

Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

• $58.99 at Caskers

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s annual series of bourbons and rye whiskeys are older and stronger than most of what the distillery regularly releases, and also incredibly hyped. Instead, consider seeking out a single barrel release from Knob Creek, a nine-year-old bourbon bottled at 120 proof.

The Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Alternative

Redemption

Best Michter's 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Alternative

Redemption 10 Year Old High Rye Bourbon Barrel Proof

• $102 at Reserve Bar

An annual release that differs from year to year, Michter’s 10-year-old bourbon is the rare rye bottle that sends whiskey fans into a frenzy. Also great, yet cheaper and much easier to find, is Redemption’s own 10-year-old bourbon with similar forward notes of vanilla and toffee.

The Michter’s 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Alternative

Bulleit Bourbon

Best Michter's 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Alternative

Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year

• $43.99 at Caskers

Generally speaking, any 20-year-old bourbon is going to be rare and pricey, but Michter’s annual release takes things to absurd levels. Bulleit’s 10-year-old bourbon is aged for half as long, but its relatively high proof and high-rye mashbill make it a bold choice that feels special.

The Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Alternative

Russell’s Reserve

Best Giftable Bourbon

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon

• $46.99 at Caskers

Old Forester’s Birthday Bourbon release is wildly popular, despite — or perhaps because — it varies wildly from year to year. Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is a more consistent bottle than the birthday boy, but you’re still getting an aged bourbon blended from barrels carefully selected by a master distiller.

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