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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Basil Hayden’s
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Basil Hayden’s reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +19 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$17 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).