Compare
Old Forester 86 Proof vs Ezra Brooks 99
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to Ezra Brooks 99 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +13 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 | ~$22 – $28 |
- 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
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/2 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).