Ezra Brooks

[swampguy]

Bought this today because they were out of Weller and didn't want to pay 25 for Knob Creek. I did a shot when I got home and find it alright. Not great but alright. What you guys think and what do you know about Ezra?

[smokinjoe]

I really like the Ezra 90 Proof, and also the 7 yr. 101. I suspect that these are bottled by David Sherman (Luxco) from Heaven Hill juice. Both are some of the best values in Bourbonia IMO. The 7 yr is hard to find, and well worth the $13 for a 750 ml. I recently picked up a Virgin Bourbon in North Carolina that has the same bottle, age, proof, and charcoal filtering info as the EB 7 yr 101. I would have to think that they are the same thing. The 90 proof goes for around $16/1.75, here in Atlanta. I think they also have an 80 proof and the 12 yr Ezra B 99 proof, as well. BTW, if you come across an Ezra B 15 yr, which is what the 12 year was up until a few years ago, you should jump on it. It is mighty fine. Huh, I just noticed I'm out of the 90 proof. I'll have to go pick one up tonight.

JOE

[BourbonJoe]

I think it's one of the best bangs for the buck out there....and it's STILL 90 Proof.

Joe :usflag:

[CorvallisCracker]

It's been years since I've had any EB. It was the 90 proof, still 7yo. I remember it being decent for the money.

EB is pretty widely available in OR. The NAS/90 is $11.95, the 7/101 is $14.95 and the SB 12/99 is $22.95. I've been eyeing the 7/101 but haven't yet bought one.

[drunkenjayhawk]

I have 2 750's of the 7/101 in line to be opened. And I see a small batch or single barrel type from Ezra with blue and red wax for sale too. Been meaning to get it, may just do it after reading the comments here.

[jbaker]

We just got in the Ezra 101 7 yr and it was new to both me and the store owner. I'll check back once I get into a bottle.

[swampguy]

Tried last night and really thought it was mighty fine.

The price of 12 was very good also. Will be my everyday pour for awhile. Is it a straight sour mash or does it have wheat or rye added to the mash?

[craigthom]

I remember when the Old Ezra was 101 proof, came in a wooden box, cost $15, and was 15 years old. Those were the days.

[BourbonJoe]

Is it a straight sour mash or does it have wheat or rye added to the mash?

It is a sour mash, like most bourbons and is a rye recipe bourbon. The juice, it is believed, comes from Heaven Hill.

Joe :usflag:

[TNbourbon]

...Is it a straight sour mash or does it have wheat or rye added to the mash?

'Sour mash' refers the the use of spent mash from a previous fermentation -- the 'setback', as they call it, usually about 25% of a new batch, I believe -- and is a feature of virtually EVERY American straight whiskey (except, perhaps, Old Potrero, about which I simply don't know).

The fact that wheat and/or rye is added (also true in every case) is a seperate component of the process. In other words, all ARE sour mash, and all DO include wheat and/or rye (malted barley, too).

[cowdery]

Luxco is one of the few non-distiller producers that proudly reveals the source of its bourbon, and I commend them for that. The source is Heaven Hill.

They use Heaven Hill's wheated bourbon for Rebel Yell and its rye recipe bourbon for Ezra Brooks. They've done a good job with both brands.

Yellowstone, which Luxco also owns, is another story. One without a happy ending.

[cigarnv]

I very much enjoy the 90 proof and find it makes a great Manhattan. Best value in bourbons today in the 1.75.....

[fricky]

I will be contributing an older bottle of Ezra Brooks to the Gazebo table. The label states that it is 100 months old, 90 proof. It is in a blue glass decanter with an eagle on the front and a cannon on the back with the words "Never Surrender".

Doug

[CorvallisCracker]

I recently picked up a Virgin Bourbon in North Carolina that has the same bottle, age, proof, and charcoal filtering info as the EB 7 yr 101. I would have to think that they are the same thing.

Yes, both made at Heaven Hill.

But are they actually the same whiskey?

[boss302]

Bought this today because they were out of Weller and didn't want to pay 25 for Knob Creek. I did a shot when I got home and find it alright. Not great but alright. What you guys think and what do you know about Ezra?

Here in PA, I can only find two expressions of Ezra-- the 90 proof NSA and the 12-year Ezra B. Single Barrel (96 proof, if I remember correctly?).

I've tried both. I would take the base Ezra Brooks over the standard Jim Beam any day, especially for a bourbon and cola, or a bourbon manhattan. 90 proof is considered by many, including myself, to be the right strength for martinis and manhattans.

The Ezra B. Single Barrel seems to be getting mixed reviews on this board. For $24, I think it is one of the better values on the market, along with Elmer T. Lee, of course. Is it good enough to challenge the bourbon elite, like Pappy, Stagg, Blanton's, etc? Probably not. But at $24 a bottle, it doesn't have to.

[CorvallisCracker]

Last night I tried some Old Ezra 7/101. I'd bought it early last week, but didn't get into it because I came down with the flu and couldn't smell or taste anything. I'd improved enough by last night to give it a shot (or rather, to give myself a shot of it)(but not in a shot glass).

It's definitely got that citrusy thing that many Heaven Hill products have. Jim Murray describes it as "kumquat" and I'm inclined to agree, having some familiarity with kumquats (they're common back where I lived in N. Florida, and about ten years ago I made up a bunch of marmalade from a pile a neighbor gave me).

In a younger expression (and I include the Ezra 7/101 in that), for me it's not a good sippin' choice - the astringency seems to amplify the alcohol and create more of a burn than might otherwise be the case. This is fine for a mixin' bourbon - Evan Williams BL is my "house" mixer.

In older expressions of HH juice, such as Elijah Craig 12yo, this seems to smooth out a lot. I'm quite fond of EC 12.

I don't know if Ezra is the same mashbill as Evan Williams (or, for that matter, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna), but I'm inclined to believe that they are. A side-by-side of of Ezra NAS/90 and EW NAS/86 could be educational. For that matter so could a side-by-side of Ezra 12/99 and EC 12/94.

Another interesting comparison would be EW WL 4/100, Ezra 7/101 and Ezra 12/99. Maybe throw in some McKenna 10/100.