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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Ezra Brooks 99 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$22 – $28 vs. ~$16 – $22).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$16 – $22 ~$6 less |
- Ezra Brooks 99 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/4 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).