Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Bourbon is different from other whiskeys because it has specific production process requirements. While it has its standards, not all bourbons are created equal.
With insights from devoted bourbon collectors, here is the rare bourbon list called “unicorns,”; frequently discussed but rarely seen. Each bottle is a testament to craftsmanship, patience, and the art of distillation.
Top 15 Rare Bourbons To Look Out For
15. Redemption 36-Year-Old Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $41,999.99 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 48.8%
Why It’s Rare:
Redemption 36-year-old bourbon is one of the most expensive bourbons on the market today.
These bottles have special notes of smoke, anise, cinnamon, and dried orange.
“Rare bourbons: treasures of taste, elusive to find, a sip’s rarity.” – Liquor Laboratory
Redemption 36-Year-Old Bourbon is considered rare due to its extraordinary age.
In my worthwhile conversation with a bourbon collector, I discovered that there are only four barrels of this 36-year-old bourbon.
Fun Fact: Only 18 bottles of Redemption 36-year-old bourbon are in circulation.
14. Buffalo Trace Antique Collection: George T. Stagg Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $599 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 58.45%
Why It’s Rare:
George T. Stagg bourbon is a rare bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, and it is aged for 15 years for a flavorful, intense, and powerful taste.
Named after one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry, George T. Stagg, this bourbon pays homage to the rich heritage of American whiskey-making and offers a taste of history in every sip.
This rare bourbon has lush sweetness with underlying notes of coffee and spearmint.
Fun Fact: George T. Stagg Bourbon is an annual bourbon release from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
13. 2017 Four Roses Al Young 50th Anniversary Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $3,999.99 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 53.8%
Why It’s Rare:
Four Roses Al Young 50th Anniversary bourbon is now available in the secondary market, which makes every bottle expensive and rare.
The limited edition small batch bourbon is named after Al Young, a member of Four Roses for 52 years, and it is made to honor his dedicated tenure to Four Roses.
With a finite number of bottles produced, it has become highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, showcasing the intersection of exceptional bourbon-making and honoring a legacy within the industry.
12. Milam & Greene: The Castle Hill Series 13-Year-Old Bourbon
MSRP: $149.99
Average Price: Roughly $249.99
Alcohol Content: 55.5%
Why It’s Rare:
The Castle Hill Series is on its second release.
It is a limited edition 13-year-old hand-selected bourbon whiskey bottled at barrel proof by Master Blender Heather Greene.
There are 20 vintage barrels for batch 1 and 26 for this 13-year-old bourbon batch 2. It is one of the oldest bourbons from Milam & Greene.
Fun Fact: The Castle Hill Series is named after the historic Castle Hill neighborhood in Austin, Texas.
11. Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Madeira Casks
Average Price: Roughly $699.99 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why It’s Rare:
Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon is finished in Madeira casks for deeper wood notes and complexity.
Angel’s Envy is bottled at 100 proof and is a great addition to a bourbon bar.
There were 30 varieties of barrels explored to be used to finish Angels’ Envy Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
10. Orphan Barrel Whoop & Holler 28-Year-Old American Whiskey
Average Price: Roughly $249.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 42%
Why It’s Rare:
Orphan Barrel Whoop and Holler is a 28-year-old bourbon whiskey, and it is an elderly bourbon made using a one-time-release mash bill.
As expected on this bottling, it has bitter notes with tons of oak but features other sweet notes like ripe bananas, bubblegum, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Fun Fact: All the mash bill has been bottled, and there are no plans for its release again.
9. Blue Run 14-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $
Alcohol Content: 56.5%
Why It’s Rare:
Blue Run Small Batch is a distinctive, bold whiskey impeccably crafted and aged to perfection.
It is sold out on their website, and your chance to score this bottle depends on secondary markets.
8. William Heavenhill 13-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $799 (Continental Wine & Spirits)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why It’s Rare:
William Heavenhill’s 13-year-old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery.
Based on Caskers, it has the second-largest bourbon inventory in the world.
It is not as expensive as other bourbons, but it fits nicely on bourbon shelves because of its great taste.
Fun Fact: It is a limited edition bourbon whiskey, and this release came from 35 barrels only.
7. John E Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $3999.99 (Bourbon Concierge)
Alcohol Content: 45%
Why It’s Rare:
John E Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a rare bourbon, and it was distilled by Stitzel Weller and bottled by Heaven Hill Distillery.
The bourbon whiskey was aged for 23 years and was migrated in steel tanks in 2013 to avoid over-aging that may affect the tasting notes of the best bourbon.
Since it is non-chill filtered, the bourbon whiskey retains more fatty acids and natural esters during the aging process, which culminates in a richer mouthfeel.
6. Buffalo Trace Double Eagle Very Rare Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $15,399.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 45%
Why It’s Rare:
Double Eagle Very Rare Bourbon is aged twice as the Eagle Rare (10 years) and comes in a complementary decanter with crystal-carved eagles.
A few bottles are produced, and all the bottles hitting shelves are individually numbered with a letter of authenticity.
It is one of the best bourbon whiskeys with a surprisingly balanced flavor after two decades of aging. It has toasted oak, caramel, dark chocolate, and vanilla hints.
Fun Fact: The Buffalo Trace Double Eagle Very Rare is packed in a silver box that lights up when you open it.
5. Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year-Old Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $64,999 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why It’s Rare:
Old Rip Van Winkle is a 25-year-old bourbon whiskey from the Van Winkle Family.
Each bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle comes with numbered certificates and wooden boxes made from the staves of barrels where the distillery once stored the whiskey.
Fun Fact: There are only 710 decanters of Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year-Old bourbon.
4. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 1974 16-Year-Old Straight Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $19,999.99 (Bourbon Concierge)
Alcohol Content: 45.8%
Why It’s Rare:
A.H. Hirsch Reserve 1974 is a 16-year-old straight bourbon, one of the most sought-after and highest-rated bottling vintage whiskey.
Because of its rarity, the bourbon is included in the book by Charles K. Cowdrey, The Best Bourbon You’ll Never Taste.
“I found it [A.H. Hirsch Reserve] by luck…I later discovered it was a one-time-only bottling” – Mark Rickey of Staten Island, Bourbon Collector
There are only 400 barrels for this batch, and Gordon Hue acquired it in 1989 before Julian Van Winkle III bottled it as A.H Hirsch Reserve.
3. Michter’s Limited Release 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $23,009 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 58.1%
Why It’s Rare:
Based on Maxim, fewer than 400 bottles of Michter’s Limited Release 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight bourbon made it one of the rarest and most expensive bourbons today.
Aside from their small batch and cask strength bourbon, this limited release is well acknowledged by different award-giving bodies like Whisky Advocate.
2. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $1264 (Wine Searcher)
Alcohol Content: 52%
Why It’s Rare:
Every September 2nd of the year, Old Forester releases their Birthday Bourbon to honor the birthday of their founder, George Garvin Brown.
The 2021 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon comprises 119 barrels and has matured for 12 years.
The distillery chose the 12-year-old bourbon for this year’s release.
1. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon
MSRP: $199.99
Average Price: Roughly $9,999.99 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 45.2%
Why It’s Rare:
Call it the Pappy Van effect or marketing strategy, but Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon is today’s rare bourbon.
The Pappy Van Winkle bottlings from the Van Winkle Family are so rare that the secondary market sells the wheated bourbon for skyrocketing prices even though it has its MSRP [1].
Aside from the Family Reserve Straight bourbon, the Pappy Van Winkle 23 and Pappy Van Winkle 25 are sought after because of their rarity.
Fun Fact: In 2022, a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23-year-old bourbon was sold for $52,000 in Sotheby’s auction [2].
FAQs Related to Rare Bourbons List
What is a rare bourbon?
A rare bourbon is a limited-production bourbon whiskey that is highly sought after due to its scarcity, unique characteristics, and historical significance.
Why are rare bourbons so coveted?
Rare bourbons are highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts for their exclusivity, exceptional quality, and potential for investment value.
Where can I find a list of rare bourbons?
Lists of rare bourbons can be found in whiskey publications, online forums, collector groups, and through reputable whiskey retailers who specialize in rare and collectible spirits.
What makes a bourbon rare?
Several factors contribute to a bourbon being considered rare, including limited production quantities, discontinued releases, special aging processes, unique flavor profiles, and historical significance.
Is collecting rare bourbons a good investment?
Yes, collecting rare bourbons is a good investment. It can be a passive income and gives a great ROI. Vintages and limited editions like Parker’s Heritage Collection and Elijah Craig Single Barrel bourbon will be more profitable after ten to twenty years.
Are all rare bourbons expensive?
While many rare bourbons command high prices due to their scarcity and demand, not all rare bourbons are necessarily expensive. Some hidden gems may offer exceptional value for their rarity.
How do I know if a bourbon is truly rare?
Authenticity and rarity can be verified through reputable sources, such as distillery websites, auction houses, or expert appraisers who specialize in rare and collectible bourbons.
Final Thoughts
Rare bourbons [4], which are talked about yet rarely found, are of premium quality, limited production, and longer aging.
Rare bourbon whiskeys can be a good investment because they appreciate value, especially when taken care of. They get more expensive in secondary markets because of the demand and scarcity.
Among these treasures, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon emerges as the pinnacle of rarity and prestige, a true unicorn in the world of whiskey.
References:
- https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/2022-pappy-van-winkle-bourbon-bufflo-trace-1234756300/
- https://www.foodandwine.com/pappy-van-winkle-sothebys-record-6891690
- https://www.gearpatrol.com/food/drinks/a700726/bourbon-secondary-market-facebook/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/5-rules-that-make-it-bourbon.html
