Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Over the years, bourbon has quickly become one of the most popular spirits on the market. Even though it was originally invented to try to mimic the taste of the cognac that the residents of New Orleans loved so much, people have come to love the smooth taste of bourbon for its own sake. With how popular it has become, it isn’t much of a surprise that almost 60 years ago Congress officially declared bourbon America’s native spirit—and if you are one of the millions of people who have fallen in love with it, then our list of the best places to buy bourbon online is for you.
With how wildly tastes and preferences can vary, it’s a good thing there are so many great places to buy bourbon online. Whether you are looking for the best ingredients for a modern take on an old fashioned or are looking for the perfect bottle for your dad’s birthday, there is an online bourbon shop out there for you.
Best Places to Buy Bourbon Online of 2023
- Best Overall: Mash&Grape
- Best for Samples: Flaviar
- Best On-Demand: Drizly
- Best for Gifting: Spirited Gifts
- Best for Budget: PourMore
- Best Variety: Saucey
- Best for Extras: Spirit Hub
- Best for Rare Bourbon: Taster’s Club
- Best for Customization: Sip Whiskey
Best Overall : Mash&Grape
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MashGrape-ff885ab925474c7681196a83e83844c2.jpg)
Mash&Grape
- Starting Price: $69 per month
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: 1
Mash&Grape’s affordable prices and impressive inventory make it our overall best site to buy bourbon online.
Extensive selection of bourbon products to choose from
Six different spirit clubs to join
Most expensive club is less than $80 per month
Customer service only available via email
Shipping costs extra
It doesn’t get much better than a wide range of high-quality products set for low prices, but that’s exactly what Mash&Grape offers. Not only does Mash&Grape have a super impressive selection of bourbon, with the least expensive bottle going for just $23, but it also carries whiskey from some of the top whiskey-producing countries in the world, like Canada, Scotland, and Japan.
If a monthly bourbon subscription sounds appealing, you’ll be happy to know that Mash&Grape offers subscriptions for six different spirits, including bourbon. With this option, you can leave choosing a bottle up to the experts and let them send an award-winning bottle right to your door for just $69 per month.
- Individual bottles of bourbon start at $23
- Monthly bourbon subscription: $69 per month
Best for Samples : Flaviar
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Flaviar-11efb289746f4be8b6b3e6da2724a9d3.jpg)
Flaviar
- Starting Price: $60 per month
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: 1-8
Flaviar’s tasting boxes make it hands down the best online bourbon retailer for sampling.
Boxes come with samples, which let you experience new bourbon quickly
Gifting options available
Helps you organize your tasting parties
Not available in all states
Shipping not always included
One of Flaviar’s best selling points is that you can choose which types of products you get with each order. If you are looking to stock up your home bar with full bottles, then you can opt for Flaviar’s in-house team to pick the best bottles of bourbon for you. Or if you would rather try several different bourbons at once, you can order a tasting box instead, which includes three sample-sized vials of bourbon. This gives you great variety and helps you expand your taste quickly.
One of the downsides, however, is that Flaviar’s delivery area is limited to 42 states across the county.
- Monthly Membership: $60 per month
- 3-Month Membership: $110 per three months
- 12-Month Membership: $315 per year
Best On-Demand : Drizly
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Drizzly-2e35feb2677347f8bbcfbb05c11e9d9d.jpg)
Drizly
- Starting Price: Varies by selection
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: Varies
Drizly is the best website to buy bourbon on demand due to its goal of delivering orders in less than one hour.
Massive selection of bourbon and other spirits
Partners with local stores
Delivery in under an hour
Only operates in 31 states
Inventory limited to what is available locally
You read that right: Drizly’s goal is to fulfill each of their orders within an hour after they’re placed. So, if you need that bourbon for your cocktail party that you’re hosting tonight and want to save yourself a trip to the liquor store, then Drizly is the way to go.
While you’ll no doubt be impressed by the wide variety of bourbon and other spirits, keep in mind that Drizly can only source what is available locally in order to keep delivery times as low as possible. So, make sure you check to see what is available locally on the site before you get too excited about that delicious Kentucky bourbon that Drizly may or may not have. In our opinion, however, the ridiculously convenient delivery times make Drizly more than worth it.
Prices depend on your local selection, and Drizly charges a delivery fee and a service fee with each order. (Some areas limit the amount of alcohol you can purchase at once, so keep that in mind.)
Best for Gifting : Spirited Gifts
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Spirited-Gifts-logo-81770c7e6ba34cb997e68fe1df43051e.jpg)
Spirited Gifts
- Starting Price: $399 for three months
- Free Shipping? Yes
- Products per Delivery: 1
What better way to show how much the bourbon lover in your life means to you than with premium bottles courtesy of Spirited Gifts?
Option to add glassware and cigars to your order
Shipping included
Customer service readily available through online chat
Only one bottle per delivery
Expensive
Maybe it’s the soothing, golden brown color, but something about a bottle of bourbon just makes it a terrific present, and Spirited Gifts makes gifting bourbon even easier. When you sign up for the company’s Bourbon of the Month Club, your recipient will get one bottle of rare or classic bourbon every month. And with engraving options and the choice to include cigars and/or glassware, you can make their experience even more special.
If you think your friend or loved one would like another spirit after their bourbon subscription is up, Spirited Gifts has a whole host of subscription options, including Irish whiskey, rum, and Champagne. Keep the price tag in mind, however, since Spirited Gifts’ clubs can cost up to $400 for a three-month subscription.
- Bourbon of the Month Club: $399.99 for three months
Best for Budget : PourMore
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pour_More-33f0720ab27c4510a7ad366f9dd2263f.jpg)
Pour More
- Starting Price: $49.99 per month
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: 3, 6, or 12
Want the best website to buy bourbon on a budget? Look no further than PourMore.
Premium spirits starting at low prices
Variety of clubs to join
Each club has different tiers and frequencies
Shipping not included
Customer service only available through email
One of the best ways to try new bourbon (or any spirit, for that matter) is with a monthly club or subscription, and PourMore’s Bourbon of the Month Club is both fun and affordable. This club sends you a new bottle of premium bourbon each month, and the PourMore team samples every variety you can think of, including some of the best single-barrel and small-batch bourbons you’ll find anywhere. Additionally, if you have had enough bourbon and want to change it up, PourMore also offers clubs for mezcal, scotch, tequila, and more.
Unfortunately, the price tag will be a little higher than it looks initially since shipping is not included. Customer service can also be a bit tricky to reach since it’s only available through email—but the team does its best to respond as quickly as possible.
- Bourbon of the Month Club: $49.99 per month
Best Variety : Saucey
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Saucey-b6a4a3f1fb714336aafd13fe6e351563.jpg)
Saucey
- Starting Price: Varies by selection
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: Varies
Want bourbon but not sure where to start? No problem; Saucey’s excellent variety has you covered.
Classic bottles of bourbon and other whiskies available
On-demand delivery
Growing quickly, so delivery area will expand
Shipping not included
Only 19 states currently in delivery area
Saucey carries an excellent variety of classic bottles on its website, making it an excellent choice for people looking to either expand their palate or buy the best of the best in bulk. Not only does Saucey carry some great bottles of bourbon, Scotch and whiskey, but it also sells some of the best bottles of other popular spirits, including vodka, rum, tequila and more. Although shipping is not included, Saucey only charges a small standard delivery fee of $4.99.
While Saucey is expanding quickly, it currently only has 19 states in its delivery area, and the company focuses its business on the major metropolitan areas in those states.
- Prices vary depending on selection
Best for Extras : Spirit Hub
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SpiritHub-2f6efaf1ee4c481eb9b073920ef75e8d.png)
Spirit Hub
- Starting Price: Varies by selection
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: Varies
Due to its wide selection of mixers, syrups, barware and more, Spirit Hub is your one-stop shop for all your bartending needs.
Updated seasonal cocktails posted on site
Large selection of wine and liquor in addition to other ingredients
Wide range of gifting options available
Shipping not included
So, you’ve found the perfect bourbon for the cocktail night you’re hosting, but now it’s time to find the perfect glasses, ice trays, bitters, muller, shot glasses—and before you know it, you have a whole other grocery list. Enter Spirit Hub, the best place for finding all the bartending essentials and extras you could ever need.
Not only does Spirit Hub have everything you need to complete your bar cart, but it actually has a pretty hefty selection of wines and spirits, as well. Looking for some cocktail inspiration? Spirit Hub also has a list of craft cocktail recipes posted on its website that the team updates regularly.
- Prices vary depending on selection
Best for Rare Bourbon : Taster’s Club
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TastersClub-5605813f2be44e0594d44be8c3cbb6d9.jpg)
Taster’s Club
- Starting Price: $69 per month
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: 1
Taster’s Club’s unique selection makes it one of the best places to order rare bourbon online.
Digital 101s and tasting notes included with subscription bottles
Rare and vintage bourbons available on the online store
Multiple subscription options
Many items listed in the online store are out of stock
Cost of clubs goes up to $1,000
Very few things make a home bar look more complete than a rare or vintage bottle of bourbon, and very few places have better options for that than Taster’s Club. From Russell’s Reserve 13-year-old bourbon to 18-year-old Elijah Craig, the online store is stocked with some of the best options available. So, if upgrading your bar with some seriously good booze is what you’re aiming for, then you might want to go with Taster’s Club.
If you’d rather have Taster’s Club’s experts sample and source the bottles for you, then you should consider signing up for the Bourbon of the Month Club. As you’d expect, you get some incredible quality alcohol, complete with informative Digital 101s and tasting notes. The price can get a bit steep, but you get what you pay for with Taster’s Club.
- Bourbon of the Month Club (3 months): $275
- Bourbon of the Month Club (6 months): $550
- Bourbon of the Month Club (12 months): $1,100
Best for Customization : Sip Whiskey
:fill(transparent):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SipWhiskey-4f9857929f71416c9ba03ec4478939cc.jpg)
Sip Whiskey
- Starting Price: Varies by selection
- Free Shipping? No
- Products per Delivery: Varies
Sip Whiskey’s massive selection and custom engraving options make it an easy choice for this category.
Huge inventory of whiskey available à la carte
International options available in addition to bourbon
Offers custom engraving on hundreds of bottles
Site does not disclose delivery area
Shipping not included
Take one look at Sip Whiskey’s incredible inventory, and you might be overwhelmed by all of the options. In addition to some excellent bourbon, the company’s whiskey selection also includes rye, Canadian whisky, Japanese whisky (note both countries use the original Scottish spelling of “whisky”), organic whiskey and more. Feeling like branching out? No problem; Sip Whiskey has a huge selection of other spirits, too, including tequila, rum, vodka and gin.
One of the main selling points, however, is Sip Whiskey’s custom engraving services. What better addition could there be to your bar cart than a bottle of Buffalo Trace, WhistlePig, Johnnie Walker or another classic bottle with your name on it?
- Prices vary depending on selection
Final Verdict
Although each of these vendors offers something different and is one of the best sites to buy bourbon online in their own right, Mash&Grape is our choice for best overall. Its extensive list of premium offerings and spirit of the month clubs make it one of the best online bourbon stores, and no matter if you’re new to bourbon or a seasoned veteran, you are bound to find something you love through them.
Compare the Best Places to Buy Bourbon Online
Company | Starting Price | Free Shipping? | Products per Delivery | Delivery Area | Gift Option? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mash&Grape Best Overall | $69 per month | No | 1 | 37 states | Yes |
Flaviar Best for Samples | $60 per month | No | 1-8 | 42 states | No |
Drizly Best On-Demand | Varies by selection | No | Varies | 31 states | Yes |
Spirited Gifts Best for Gifting | $399.99 for 3 months | Yes | 1 | 28 states | Yes |
PourMore Best for Budget | $49.99 per month | No | 3, 6, or 12 | 42 states | Yes |
Saucey Best Variety | Varies by selection | No | Varies | 19 states | Yes |
Spirit Hub Best for Extras | Varies by selection | No | Varies | 49 states | Yes |
Taster’s Club Best for Rare Bourbon | $69 per month | No | 1 | 46 states | Yes |
Sip Whiskey Best for Customization | Varies by selection | No | Varies | Not specified | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Which State Makes the Best Bourbon?
Asking which state makes the best bourbon is like asking which country makes the best wine. It’s a matter that is up for debate, and modern distilling techniques have paved the way for a nearly infinite variety of bourbon, with each bottle appealing to different tastes. However, Kentucky is without a doubt the king of bourbon. It produces nearly 95 percent of all bourbon in the world, and if that classic, smooth taste is what you’re after, look no further than Kentucky.
-
What Is the Smoothest Bourbon in the United States?
As stated above, this is largely a matter of debate. Many people think that bourbon is smoother than other types of whiskey because it has a higher percentage of corn in its mash bill (for a whiskey to be a bourbon, its mash bill must be at least 51 percent corn). So, if smoothness is what you’re after, you can start by looking for bourbon with a higher percentage of corn in its mash bill—and if you want something high quality, you can’t go wrong with a good single barrel or a small batch bourbon either.
-
What Are the Five Rules of Bourbon?
- It has to be made in the United States. (Feel free to reference this list the next time your office bourbon snob tells you that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. There are 49 other states that also count.)
- Bourbon must be aged in a new, charred oak barrel.
- The mash bill must be at least 51 percent corn.
- Whiskey must enter the barrel at no higher than 125 proof, and it must be bottled at no less than 80 proof.
- No artificial flavors or coloring can be added. (In fact, no additives are allowed except water, and that’s only to lessen the proof.)
-
What Is the Best Way to Drink Bourbon?
Don’t let whiskey snobs tell you how to enjoy bourbon—there are plenty of ways you can enjoy it. Drink it neat, on the rocks, in a chilled glass, in an overpriced cocktail or however you want. (With that being said, maybe don’t waste your expensive bourbon by mixing it with a can of sugary cola. Save that for the bottom-shelf bottles.)
-
How Should You Store Bourbon?
The best way to store bourbon is at room temperature. Additionally, unlike wine, you need to keep it standing upright, as opposed to on its side. Storing bourbon on its side will eventually cause the cork to come in contact with the alcohol and eventually disintegrate.
-
How Long Will Bourbon Last Once Opened?
Fortunately, you have a lot of time to enjoy your bourbon even after it’s been opened. Unopened bottles of bourbon will basically never go bad, and an opened bottle has a shelf life of one to two years.
Methodology
Our bourbon pros put this list together after an extensive review of dozens of different online alcohol retailers. We evaluated them based on customer reviews, prices, variety, availability of gifting options and more in order to present the best places to buy bourbon online for each category. With so many different kinds of bourbon to choose from and so many different sites that sell it, we wanted to ensure that our readers were only buying from the best of the best.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Primary-Image-best-places-to-buy-bourbon-online-of-2023-7108997-c0eb7ba2d32840c08aaec0553a6840b7.jpg)
Lucian Smoot / 500px / Getty Images