Compare
Old Forester Statesman vs Ezra Brooks 99
Put Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$22 – $28 ~$28 less |
- 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
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/2 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
nuttiness 2/5 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).