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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$22 – $28 vs. ~$60 – $80).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +5 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$45 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Ezra Brooks 99 does 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.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 2/4 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 5/5 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).