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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Ezra Brooks 99 and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$26 – $32 |
- 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).