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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put Ezra Brooks 99 next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).