The Only 3 Bottles You Need to Build Your American Whiskey Collection for $100

Contrary to what some might say or think, you don’t need a lot of money to build out an impressive whiskey collection. Rest assured that with just a little bit of knowledge, you can find some stellar whiskeys for your bar cart that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

In this article, we’re breaking down how to build an essential American whiskey collection while spending $100. These versatile whiskeys are excellent when sipped neat or mixed into your favorite cocktail.

The 3 Bottles You Need to Build a Whiskey Collection With $100

For a Kentucky Bourbon That Does Everything: Green River

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Green River is one of the newer brands to enter the whiskey scene (although it has a long, rich history prior to its recent revival), and it has been making waves for their value-oriented range of quality whiskeys. This fledgling Kentucky distillery was acquired by Bardstown Bourbon Co. in June 2022 and has been steadily growing its whiskey range and footprint in the U.S.

Green River Bourbon hosts an ABV of 45% and comes from a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley. Green River Bourbon hosts a suggested retail price of $34.99. This versatile bourbon is a Swiss army knife: It works every which way. Whether you’re drinking it neat or in a whiskey sour, you’re going to enjoy the pour.

With plenty of brown sugar and toffee aromas, the pour on this puppy possesses root beer candies and a bit of cocoa to boot. A lingering and complicated finish makes this an excellent bourbon for its dollar-friendly price.

For a High Proof Wheater That Punches Well Above its Weight: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

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This next offering from Maker’s Mark will add a little kick to your bar.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is the quintessential high-proof, wheated bourbon. With a mashbill of corn, wheat and malted barley, Maker’s Mark produces between four and eight batches of its cask-strength expression a year, so you shouldn’t have too hard of a time tracking down a bottle.

We were able to score a bottle for the price of $44.99, but it might cost you a little bit more depending on your location. With a nose of honey, buttered biscuits and apples that segues into a palate of toffee and praline, this wheater is an absolute must for your bar cart. A syrupy, honeyed, complicated bourbon that has been known to beat offerings from Old Weller Antique in the occasional blind tasting.

For a Rye Whiskey That Will Never Let You Down: Wild Turkey 101 Rye

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This whiskey used to be tricky to find on retail shelves, but the folks at Wild Turkey have upped production accordingly due to its popularity. And what’s not to like?

With a proof of 101 and an affordable price — it will cost you around $19.99 — Wild Turkey 101 Proof Rye has aromas that pop with brown sugar, pepper and freshly baked bread. As far as structure goes, Wild Turkey 101 rye is neither soft nor a bruiser — it hits that sweet spot of being right in between. The aromas of baked bread, brown sugar and pepper continue throughout this rye whiskey’s lingering finish. Consider it the ultimate cocktail-friendly rye that’s a smooth workhorse sipper.

If you want to hear more thoughts on these three whiskeys and why we picked them to build a bar with under a $100 budget, check out the below video from Whiskey Raiders Chief Spirits Critic Jay West:

How would you build your perfect whiskey bar with a $100 budget? Let us know in the YouTube comments!

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