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New Riff Single Barrel vs Ezra Brooks 99
Comparing New Riff Single Barrel and Ezra Brooks 99 reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +6 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less |
- Ezra Brooks 99 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
New Riff Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/4 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
fruit 5/2 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- New Riff Single Barrel: The single-barrel expression of New Riff's 30% rye mash, non-chill-filtered and at higher proof than the bonded version. As dry and peppery as bourbon gets before it stops being bourbon.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).