Ezra Brooks Bourbon
Kentucky rye mash bourbon, charcoal filtered since 1957.
The story behind Ezra Brooks
Ezra Brooks was created in 1957 by Frank Silverman, and the name was invented by a marketing department looking to fill a gap during a Jack Daniel's shortage. The whiskey itself was real: a rye forward sour mash, first bottled at the Hoffman Distilling Company in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Today it is owned by Luxco, part of MGP Ingredients, and made at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown.
The mash bill runs 78 percent corn, 10 percent rye, 12 percent malted barley, aged in newly charred American oak. What sets Ezra Brooks apart is the charcoal filtering after maturation, just before bottling, not before the barrel like the Tennessee process. Standard expressions rest about four years; the Old Ezra 7 Year releases go longer.
Explore the Ezra Brooks range
Four bottles cover the lineup at our Commack store, from an easy 80 proof sipper to the 99 Proof that holds up in a cocktail.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream 750mL | Bourbon cream liqueur | 25 | Creamy, sweet, low proof; chill and sip after dinner |
| Ezra Brooks Bourbon 750mL | Kentucky straight bourbon | 80 | Corn forward, light rye spice, easy neat or rocks |
| Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Bourbon 750mL | Kentucky straight bourbon | 99 | Bolder rye bite, caramel and oak, built for mixing |
| Ezra Brooks 90 1.75L | Kentucky straight bourbon | 90 | Everyday pour, big format, balanced spice and vanilla |
| Old Ezra 7 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Aged cask strength bourbon | Cask strength, about 117 | Seven years, deep oak, opens with a few drops water |
| Old Ezra 7 Year Straight Rye | Aged straight rye whiskey | 114 | Peppery rye, long finish, Platinum level competition whiskey |
Which Ezra Brooks is right for you?
You will not find a better entry point into Kentucky bourbon than the Ezra Brooks 750mL at $16.99, though it sells out and we restock it often. The 1.75L at $28.99 is the value play for a home bar that gets used. Step up to the 99 Proof at $27.99 when you want proof for an Old Fashioned, and keep the Bourbon Cream at $21.99 in the fridge for dessert. Ask us about the Old Ezra 7 Year releases, priced in the premium tier.
Ninety proof, big bottle, low cost per pour for a nightly glass.
High proof and rye spice hold their own against bitters and sugar.
Chill it, pour over ice, and skip the whipped cream entirely.