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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Ezra Brooks 99 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$510 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 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.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B: Twelve-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line. Soft and balanced, with butterscotch, toffee and caramel and a gentle, spiced finish.
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 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).