Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Ezra Brooks 99 next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +4 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$28 less | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/7 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).