Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Ezra Brooks 99 and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +9 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$25 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/6 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).