Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Ezra Brooks 99 next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Old Forester 86 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) +13 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$20 – $26 |
- 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 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 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).