Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Knob Creek 9 Year
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Knob Creek 9 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Knob Creek 9 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$13 less | ~$35 – $40 |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Knob Creek 9 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/7 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
fruit 2/3 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).