Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Put Ezra Brooks 99 next to Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/8 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 2/4 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).