Compare
Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Ezra Brooks 99
On paper Elijah Craig Small Batch and Ezra Brooks 99 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (94 vs. 99) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$22 – $28 ~$7 less |
- Ezra Brooks 99 does 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
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
fruit 4/2 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- 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 Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).