Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs New Riff Single Barrel
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and New Riff Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | New Riff Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
New Riff Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 New Riff Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/9 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 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.
- New Riff Single Barrel: The single-barrel expression of New Riff's 30% rye mash, non-chill-filtered and at higher proof than the bonded version. As dry and peppery as bourbon gets before it stops being bourbon.
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.
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel).