Ezra Brooks 99 is one of those bourbons that quietly punches above its weight. The "99" in the name refers to its 99 proof — that's 49.5% ABV — which puts it in a sweet spot I genuinely appreciate. It's got enough muscle to stand up in cocktails without bulldozing your palate when you drink it neat. At £43.25, it sits in the everyday-premium bracket, and I think it earns its place there.
For those unfamiliar, Ezra Brooks has been around since the 1950s, originally positioned as a value-driven alternative to the bigger Kentucky names. The 99 expression is their higher-proof offering in the core range, and the bump in ABV makes a real difference. More proof generally means more flavour extraction from the barrel and less dilution before bottling, so what you're getting in the glass is a fuller, more concentrated bourbon experience. This is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which by law means it's been aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak — though the character here suggests it's seen a bit more wood than the legal minimum.
As a NAS (no age statement) bourbon, Ezra Brooks 99 lets the blender work with flexibility, pulling barrels that taste right rather than hitting an arbitrary number on the label. I've poured enough bourbon behind the bar to know that age statements aren't everything — consistency of flavour is what matters, and this bottle delivers that.
The 99 proof is really the story here. At 49.5% ABV, you're just a hair under the 50% mark that defines "barrel proof" territory for many distillers, but this has been proofed down deliberately to that number. It's a controlled strength that gives you richness without requiring a water back. I find that bourbons in this proof range carry their corn-forward sweetness and oak spice in better balance than their 80-proof siblings. You get more of what the barrel put in, and for a Kentucky Straight Bourbon built on the traditional high-corn mashbill profile, that means warmth, body, and backbone.
Tasting Notes
I don't have detailed tasting notes to share on this one yet — but based on the style, expect the classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon profile amplified by that higher proof. Think bold corn sweetness, baking spice from the new charred oak, and a warming finish that lingers. The 99 proof means those flavours arrive with conviction rather than whispering at you.
The Verdict
Ezra Brooks 99 is a bourbon that does exactly what it sets out to do: deliver a full-flavoured, higher-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. It's not trying to be fancy. It's not chasing trends. It's just solid, well-made bourbon with enough proof to make things interesting. At £43.25, you're getting genuine value — there are plenty of 80-proof bourbons at this price that give you less flavour per pound. The 99 proof makes it versatile enough for sipping neat, adding a splash of water, or anchoring a cocktail. I'm giving it a 7.9 out of 10 — a genuinely good bourbon that over-delivers for the money.
Best Served
This is a natural Old Fashioned bourbon. That 49.5% ABV holds its own against the sugar, bitters, and ice dilution without disappearing. Build it classic: two dashes of Angostura, a barspoon of demerara syrup, stir over a large rock, and express an orange peel over the top. The proof keeps the bourbon's character front and centre as the ice opens it up. If cocktails aren't your thing, try it neat with three or four drops of water — just enough to unlock it without knocking the edges off.
