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Buffalo Trace vs Ezra Brooks 99
Buffalo Trace and Ezra Brooks 99 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90 vs. 99).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$22 – $28 ~$7 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Ezra Brooks 99 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/2 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a slightly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).