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Basil Hayden’s vs Ezra Brooks 99
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Ezra Brooks 99 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$22 – $28 ~$17 less |
- Basil Hayden’s and Ezra Brooks 99 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/2 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- Ezra Brooks 99: A high-proof value bottle from Lux Row. The nose is quiet, but the palate is bolder, with creamy caramel, brown sugar and a nutty, peanut-like edge.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).