Neat Notes: The Best Bourbons Under $50—Starting with #5 🥃

Welcome back, bourbon lovers! Over the next few weeks, I’m breaking down the Top 5 Bourbons Under $50—the bottles that prove great whiskey doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

We’re kicking things off with a powerhouse pour that overdelivers: Old Forester 100. If you like bold flavor, deep history, and a bourbon that holds its own in a cocktail, keep reading.

🔥 The Weekly Pour: Old Forester 100 (#5 on the List)

If bourbon were a bar fight, Old Forester 100 would be the guy standing at the end, adjusting his tie, unfazed.

• 100 proof gives it backbone, but the caramel, chocolate, and spice keep it smooth.

• It’s rich, warm, and balanced, like a hug from an old friend who also happens to know how to party.

• Sippable neat, fantastic on the rocks, and a cocktail MVP.

This bourbon punches way above its price and deserves a permanent spot on your shelf.

Right now, our friends at Craft Spirit Shop have this bottle on sale for just $29.99! See why Old Forester 100 made our top 5 bourbons under $50. Shop now!

🏭 Distiller’s Diary: Old Forester’s Legacy

Old Forester isn’t just another bourbon—it’s the first bottled bourbon in America.

Back in 1870, George Garvin Brown was a young whiskey salesman who had a radical idea:
💡 Put bourbon in sealed glass bottles—no more shady barrels getting watered down at the saloon.

He guaranteed quality and consistency, and over 150 years later, Old Forester is still thriving.

A few fun facts about the Old Forester Distillery:
✅ It survived Prohibition by getting a medicinal whiskey license (Doctor’s orders, right?).
✅ Every drop is made at their historic distillery on Whiskey Row in Louisville, KY.
✅ Their 100 proof version has been a staple since 1954—they haven’t changed the recipe, because they got it right the first time.

If you ever get the chance, visit their distillery and take the tour. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for history, craftsmanship, and high-proof magic.

🥩 Flavor Pairing Picks: What Goes Well with Old Forester 100?

This is a bold bourbon, so it needs a pairing with some serious flavor.

🥩 Steak—A ribeye with a peppery crust brings out the whiskey’s rich caramel notes.
🧀 Sharp Cheddar—The bite of the cheese plays perfectly with Old Forester’s spice.
🍫 Dark Chocolate—A square of 70% cacao makes the bourbon’s vanilla and oak pop.
🔥 Cigar Pairing: Try an Oliva Serie V—earthy, bold, and smooth, just like your pour.

🍸 The Art of Mixing: The Kentucky Mule

An Old Fashioned is great, but let’s shake things up. Try this spicy, refreshing take on a classic.

Kentucky Mule Recipe

📌 Ingredients:

• 2 oz Old Forester 100

• ½ oz fresh lime juice

• Ginger beer (the spicier, the better)

• Mint sprig for garnish

🛠 How to Make It:
1️⃣ Fill a copper mug (or glass) with ice.
2️⃣ Pour in Old Forester and lime juice.
3️⃣ Top with ginger beer and give it a quick stir.
4️⃣ Garnish with a slap of fresh mint (seriously, slap it between your hands to release the aroma).

It’s bright, spicy, and dangerously drinkable. Perfect for when you want bourbon but also need to cool off.

🔮 On the Horizon: The Countdown Continues

This is just the beginning. Over the next two weeks, I’ll reveal my top 4 bourbons under $50—each one a must-have bottle.

🥃 Next article: A smooth sipper that’s a bartender favorite.
🥃 After that? A powerhouse pour with serious age behind it.

Stay tuned—and stock up!

🔥 Lesson of the week: You don’t need deep pockets to drink great bourbon. You just need the right bottle.

“A good bourbon doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be worth it.” 🥃

What do you think of Old Forester 100? Have a favorite way to drink it? Hit reply and let me know!

Cheers,
Ethan "Neat" Whitmore

P.S. Next week’s bourbon might surprise you—it’s one of the smoothest budget bottles out there. Don’t miss it! 🎯