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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Buffalo Trace
Ezra Brooks 99 and Buffalo Trace are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (99 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$7 less | ~$28 – $35 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).