Bourbon whiskey prices continue to rise, but what bottles are the most expensive in 2023? The list contains whiskies ranging in age, some as old as 40-plus years.
Age is a factor in bourbon pricing but not the only factor. Recognition, taste, rareness, and collectability are also included.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery is the clear winner in producing pricey bourbons, with seven of the world’s top ten most expensive bourbons. The distillery’s roots can be traced back to 1773 when a settlement named Lee’s Town was established in the region. The area had a long history of distillation, with settlers producing whiskey from the local grains, including corn, rye, and barley.
The distillery’s location fell within what was originally Bourbon County, Kentucky, established in 1785. This region later split into several counties, including Franklin County, where Buffalo Trace is now situated. The distillery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The other brands include Michter’s Distillery, located in Louisville, Kentucky, dating back to the 18th century. Redemption was founded only in 2011 and is distilled by MGP from its Lawrenceburg, Indiana Distillery. The last non-Buffalo Trace Distiller is Willett Distillery. Established in 1936 by Thompson Willett, it is family-owned and located outside Bardstown, Kentucky, in its original location.
We researched wine-searcher.com and have compiled the world’s most expensive bourbon whiskeys of 2023.
- Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year-Old $53,626
- Pappy Van Winkle Family Selection 23-Year-Old $40,217
- Redemption 36-Year-Old Barrel Proof $35,798
- Old Rip Van Winkle Twisted Spoke 16-Year-Old $29,231
- Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Family Reserve 16-Year-Old $25,700
- Colonel EH Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash $25,132
- Michter’s Celebration $22,030
- Eagle Rare Double Eagle Very Rare 20-Year-Old $18,689
- The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace $17,227
- Willett Family Single Barrel 23-Year-Old $17,291
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