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Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Ezra Brooks 99
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Ezra Brooks 99 reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 15 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +18 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$22 – $28 ~$300 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Ezra Brooks 99 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
fruit 6/2 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).