There have been some serious shifts in the global whisky market over the past year. Between rising costs of living, ongoing alcohol excise increases in Australia, and changes to global distribution, you’d be forgiven for thinking that genuinely affordable whisky no longer exists.
The good news? It does — if you know where to look.
Each year, I put together a list of affordable whiskies that are cheap enough to be considered good value, but still enjoyable neat, not just as mixers. For 2026, that sweet spot remains under $80 AUD, with many of these bottles regularly appearing closer to $70 if you keep an eye on sales.
Thanks to a bit of a glut in the whisky market and some interesting distribution shifts, there are still some excellent bargains out there.
Before we dive in, honourable mentions go to whiskies from last year’s list that continue to represent great value year after year: Glen Moray’s Classic range, Spey River, The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, and 36 South. All remain solid, affordable options.
Glenmorangie X
Glenmorangie have been making some noticeable changes recently — from celebrity endorsements featuring Harrison Ford, to updating their flagship Original from a 10-year to a 12-year age statement, and even releasing a whisky designed specifically for mixing.
Glenmorangie X was created to compete with blended Scotch in cocktail settings. By combining whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks with whisky aged in virgin oak, the distillery intentionally pushed the flavour profile in a sweeter direction so it would stand out in mixed drinks.
That said, if you enjoy sweeter whiskies, Glenmorangie X is surprisingly pleasant to sip neat.
This is a non-age-statement Highland single malt, bottled at 40% ABV. On the nose, you’ll find candied orange and malt. The palate is sweet and approachable, offering sherbet, green apple, banana, and vanilla. It’s simple, but enjoyable.
In Australia, it sits around the $80 mark, though it’s often discounted to about $70.
Interestingly, this expression has already been discontinued, suggesting the “made for mixing” experiment didn’t quite land as expected. If you enjoy sweeter whiskies and find remaining stock, it’s worth grabbing — especially considering it’s arguably more enjoyable than Glenmorangie’s newer, higher-priced 12-year-old.
Bushmills Black Bush
From Ireland, we have a long-time favourite: Bushmills Black Bush.
This triple-distilled Irish whisky is a blend of single malt and grain whisky, matured primarily in oloroso sherry casks, with a portion aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and has no age statement, but it’s been a staple for years.
The flavour profile is smooth, sweet, and incredibly easy to drink. Expect rich, fruity notes reminiscent of Christmas cake, a silky mouthfeel, and a subtle nuttiness on the finish.
Black Bush regularly retails under $70 and can often be found closer to $60.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
This is the first time an American whiskey has made it onto one of my affordable whisky lists — and it’s largely thanks to improved distribution in Australia.
Wild Turkey’s Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey has benefited from Australia becoming a key export market for the brand, helping stabilise pricing despite ongoing excise increases. Remarkably, this bottle has held a consistent retail price of around $70 for the past couple of years.
As someone who primarily drinks single malt, I tend to lean toward rye when exploring American whiskey, and Wild Turkey delivers a particularly enjoyable example.
The mash bill is 51% rye, with 37% corn and 12% malted barley. It’s matured in virgin American white oak barrels with a deep “alligator” char and aged for at least two years, though typically closer to four.
While it’s often marketed as a cocktail whiskey, the bold vanilla, spice, and cereal notes make it enjoyable neat. There’s also a hint of citrus on the nose, and it adds fantastic depth to an Old Fashioned if you do choose to mix.
Levenside 10
Levenside is a relatively new single malt brand, but you’re unlikely to see it outside Australia. That’s because it’s a supermarket-exclusive whisky made specifically for Coles Liquor Group by Loch Lomond Group — a producer I’ve always had a soft spot for.
Levenside 10 is a Highland single malt aged for ten years in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 40% ABV. Despite its supermarket branding, it has picked up some serious credentials, including awards at the 2023 Scotch Whisky Masters and the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The flavour profile is balanced and approachable. It’s less sweet than Glenmorangie X, offering candied ginger, peach, citrus, honey, almond notes, and a creamy Highland toffee finish.
Retail pricing sits around $75, but it frequently drops to about $65, making it a great value age-stated single malt in Australia.
The Deacon
Rounding out the list is The Deacon — an affordable peated whisky that genuinely surprised me.
This is a blended Scotch whisky made from Speyside and Islay single malts, bottled at 40% ABV. While it almost certainly includes some grain whisky, it hasn’t been overdone to the point of dilution, which can sometimes plague budget blends.
Instead, The Deacon delivers a satisfying mix of charred orange, malty biscuits, and bonfire-like smoke. It strikes a really enjoyable balance between sweetness and peat, making it just as suitable for sipping neat as it is for cocktails.
Prices usually fall between $65 and $75, and if you enjoy smoky whisky without wanting to spend Islay money, this is an excellent option.
Final Thoughts
These are five whiskies I’d happily recommend if you’re looking for something affordable, enjoyable, and suitable for drinking neat in 2026. This year’s list offers a broad spread of styles — Irish whisky, Scotch single malt, peat, and even an American rye.