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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Penelope Rio
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$65 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/6 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 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.
- Penelope Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).