Best Bourbons for Tailgating: Smooth, Affordable, and Built for the Banter

College football Saturdays. NFL Sundays. Playoff baseball. No matter the scoreboard, the tailgate is always undefeated. The grills fire up, the music turns loud, and the bourbon comes out. But here’s the question — what bottle deserves a spot on your tailgate table?

You don’t need to roll up with a $200 unicorn nobody wants to open. The sweet spot is smooth, affordable, and damn easy to sip before kickoff. Here’s a breakdown of bottles that bring the heat without emptying the wallet.

1. Evan Williams Black Label

• Price: ~$12–15
• Why It Works: Tailgating is about sharing. For the price of a stadium beer, you can snag a full bottle. Sweet, mellow, no burn — everybody’s happy.
• Pro Move: Grab two. One for shots with the crew, one for sipping in the parking lot throne chair.

2. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond

• Price: ~$18–20
• Why It Works: Same family, but this one packs a little more punch. Richer, darker flavor that works just as well neat as it does in a quick Coke.
• Tailgate Energy: Smooth enough for early-morning pours, bold enough to stand out when the music gets loud.

3. Old Forester 100 Proof

• Price: ~$25–28
• Why It Works: Apple, spice, toasted oak — it’s the bourbon that cuts through whatever tailgate food you’re stacking on a plate.
• UNC Take: This is the bottle you break out when the in-laws or the bosses roll through your tent and you want to look like you actually know bourbon.

4. Wild Turkey 101

• Price: ~$20–25
• Why It Works: Bold, spicy, honey-sweet, and guaranteed to put hair on your chest. 101 proof means you’ll feel it, but it’s still shockingly smooth.
• Tailgate Truth: If bourbon had a fight song, this bottle would lead the marching band.

5. Elijah Craig Small Batch

• Price: ~$28–32
• Why It Works: Balanced vanilla and spice. The definition of a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re pouring solo cups or handing neat pours in Glencairns, everyone nods in approval.
• Play Call: Your “closer.” This is the bottle you crack when the sun starts going down and the pregame speeches start rolling.

Final Whistle

If you’re showing up to the tailgate with Evan Williams Black, you’re already winning the budget game. If you want to flex a little, Old Forester 100 or Wild Turkey 101 bring that perfect mix of flavor and punch. And if you’re saving one bottle for the VIPs, let Elijah Craig Small Batch carry the load.

The beauty of bourbon tailgating is simple — it’s not about rare bottles, it’s about the banter before the game. Smooth. Affordable. Damn good in a plastic cup. That’s the formula.