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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- 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.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).