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Ezra Brooks 99 vs Woodford Reserve
Put Ezra Brooks 99 next to Woodford Reserve and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$14 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 2/6 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).