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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$300 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 2/6 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey 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 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).