Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$25 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 5/7 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 2/3 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).