Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection Bourbon

The only problem I have with this whisky is that I can remember what Old Ezra tasted like. But Django, you might say, Ezra Distiller's goes for $35 and Old Ezra is $60. Well, it wasn't that way two years back. No friends, gather round the campfire and let me tell you a story: two years ago Old Ezra was $40 and it was delicious. It tasted like someone had melted a stick of butter and swirled in some brown sugar until it had caramelized. Then, Whisky Advocated put Old Ezra on their top 20 and OE got a bit big for its britches. Those two years saw the price skyrocket to $60, and the problem with that? Old Ezra isn't worth $60 when I can get the Maker's Wood series bourbons or Knob 12 for that price. So this leads to another question? Are distillers aware that whisky drinkers know when a bottle crosses the threshold from affordably enjoyable to I'd drink it if offered but there's no way I'm paying that for it? Or is it simply that there are so many people willing to still drop the money out of ignorance it makes up for the fact that they lose the portion of the market that is in the know? For example, I've harped on this before, but Ardbeg Wee Beastie used to be $42 in my neck of the woods and it would go on sale for $37. Now I know there are differing opinions on the Beast but it's hard to find a better scotch at $37. Lo and behold, I walk into the store today and see that they've raised the price to $50, and I thought, well, I guess I'm never buying that again. Because my enjoyment of it doesn't match what they're asking. And it's the same with Old Ezra at $60. Now, Ezra Distiller's is bottled at the exact same proof as Old Ezra but it's three years younger, and it taste that way. If you look, you'll notice I've still given this a 3.5 because the price vs. pleasure factor is still in favor of me saying this is a bottle I've enjoyed and would consider buying again. It doesn't knock my socks off, but then, at $35 it doesn't have to. It just has to hit the spot on a day when I need that spot hit, you know what I mean? The nose is all vanilla, caramel and oak with maybe a slight touch of ethanol (actually there's something chlorinated about it, reminds me of the pool) but not enough to ruin it. In fact, I actually kind of enjoy that little stank on it here. It reminds me of buying that standard Ezra Brooks 90 proof 1.75 L bottle back in my 20s and nursing it over ice over the course of a night, only in slightly higher quality form here. The palate adds a bit of cinnamon to the caramel on the nose with a bit of sawdust and leather counterbalancing the vanilla sweetness. The finish isn't necessarily out of this world, but it suffices, and I only have to say that I hope they don't start pushing up the price on this one because while I might purchase it at $40, I'm certainly going no higher. I would say the main difference between this and the Old Ezra is really mouthfeel and the lack of that ethanol note in the more mature version. The buttery quality in the Old Ezra is absent here and that, like taking the road less traveled, really does make all the difference, but if you don't mind hanging out with the younger brother, this one might be for you. SPECS: Barrel No: 7539090

This one is nostalgic for me. In my early years, Ezra was my preferred brand. It was made by the Ripy family then but I don't remember a change other than the label when it went to Wathen. It was 7 years old and ninety proof. Then it disappeared. Started seeing again about ten years ago but only tried it again in the last few years ago. I liked the recent release of 99 and love old Ezra. This one is proofed in between and and almost exactly 5 years old. I made an impulse buy like @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington grabbing a couple bottles. (Around here you often don't get a second chance if you like it.) Slow to open but the standard butterscotch is there, most especially with a little water. For a 107 the alcohol is not especially noticeable on the whiff but becomes apparent upon nominal lip numbing. There' some pecan pie in the next layer down. What's not to like. Palate is true but there is a bit of alcohol tingle. Finish is shorter than I was hoping for. Here is my conundrum. In absolute terms this is a $35 bourbon and I am pleased I got a couple bottles. Problem is its not much different from the 99 which I am enjoying now. And 99 isn't any better than EC 94. The store picks of EC 94 are better and a tad less expensive. One review stated YMMV and another stated that single barrel picks in the value range have more variability between barrels. That really sums it up. I like this bourbon but I was hoping for a bit more. If you have access to EC94 store picks, go there.

First off and doing this review, I have never had a bottle of bourbon that was corked … Meaning when I pull the stopper off, the cork broke half of it stuck in the bottle still. I had distrain off the cork and work on it for about 10 or 15 minutes to get everything out and rebottle it in the same bottle using an eagle rare stopper. I’m typically not a Lux Row lover, but this one was not too bad and perfectly drinkable. I picked up very traditional bourbon, notes on the nose, and surprisingly a few fruit notes. Those fruit notes did not translate to the taste, which drink a bit lower than it’s 107 proof with a bit of nuttiness and lingering spice. I do pick up some graininess, which I usually pick up in younger or less refined bourbons. My biggest criticism is the finish is extremely short in a bit drying which Is not what you want. I paid $30 for this so I can’t complain much and it’s perfectly serviceable bourbon and I’m sure I will go back To it from time to time. I’ll give it a standard three rating which I utilize for a bourbon That is good and drinkable. if I was served it, I’d be happy To drink it but wouldn’t look to come back to it necessarily. At the $30 price point I got it out. I’m happy at 45 or 50 I would not be

Barrel No. 1216, Barrelled 3/5/18 Color: Medium Amber Nose: Burnt caramel, cinnamon, molasses, oak. Palate: Initial full frontal spice assault, followed by a nice warm hug. Some sweetness but the spiciness really steals the show. A little heat. Nice tongue coating, but nothing too "oily" or thick. The above was written upon my first pour. The second pour revealed more sweetness than the first. Still spicy as all get out, but more evenly distributed between "spicy" and "sweet". Since I bought this bottle at Total Wine and More in Connecticut, and I live in California, I won't be able to revisit this particular batch. I think there are some bottles remaining at the BevMo here in town. I am curious to try it. Stay tuned.... Added 6/30/23: This is definitely one of those bottles that evolves over time. The original all-out spice assault was nowhere be found this time 'round. Still a very good pour. Not a stand-out, but very good everyday sipper nonetheless. Bottle kill pour 7/3/23: The warm chest hug is still making its presence known. I will say that this drinks a tiny bit hotter than its 107 proof. Sweetness and spiciness remains consistent with all previous pours. Oak tannins for miles.

[6.13.2025] A pretty perfect night earns this a higher rating than it probably deserves. It could be the company that leads to the score. Bachelor party for the little brother, a nice night, sparky hot fire, Stapleton on the radio, and this was brought along by the groom's childhood friend. Truly a great night. Vanilla and dried fruit predominate. Oak follows the burn on the aftertaste. I put it at a 4.5 but it may be more like a 4. The flavor profile is really nice but there's just a bit too much bite - gives a perception it's out of balance.

Meijer Steward Select Single Barrel Barrel Pick Barrel#: 7851088 Barreled: 11/21/17 4 Year, 10 Month Old First taste, neck pour, open in glencairn glass for over 30 minutes. Nose (Neat): Cherry cola cream soda and a touch of spice. No detectable ethanol smell. Palate (Neat): Light buttery sweetness, that opens up to light red fruit and a touch of tobacco. Finish (Neat): Medium spice that melts back to slightly sweet buttery pie crust. Medium bourbon hug.