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Woodford Reserve vs Ezra Brooks 99
Put Woodford Reserve next to Ezra Brooks 99 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | 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 | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$22 – $28 ~$14 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
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/2 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
- 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, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).