Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Bourbon - 750 ml

Introduction

Ezra Brooks 99 Proof is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Its origins date back to 1957 when it was first conceived as a genuine, charcoal-filtered bourbon. The brand is owned and marketed by MGP Ingredients. Ezra Brooks is distilled at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky, a key region for American bourbon production. The production process uses a traditional sour mash recipe. The foundation of the bourbon is a blend of corn, rye, and malted barley. The mash bill is typically 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, giving it a high corn content for a sweet flavour and rye for a hint of spice.

Spirit Description

The Ezra Brooks 99 is a pure, oak-barrel-aged Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that is bottled at an elevated proof to enhance its flavour profile. Its production process includes charcoal filtration, which occurs after maturation and just before bottling, to ensure a smooth, mellow finish and maintain clarity.

• Colour: Not specified, but generally amber/gold due to new, charred American oak barrel aging.

• Aroma: The nose is described as mild and approachable. It has hints of caramel, vanilla, chocolate, and spice. Some notes include butterscotch, white pepper, marshmallows, and mango.

• Palate: The flavour is full-bodied. The classic notes are caramel and vanilla, with hints of chocolate and spice. Other tasting notes include white and black pepper, toasted oak, banana, mango, and perfume. The bourbon features bold, concentrated flavours of caramel and vanilla.

• Body: Medium to full body, with a silky mouthfeel. Master Distiller John Rempe aimed for a high-proof bourbon without sacrificing the rich, smooth notes Ezra Brooks is known for.

• Finish: The finish is medium-long. It is smooth, drinkable, and warm. Notes of maple syrup, caramel sauce, perfume, and pepper carry through.

• Stylistic Notes: The 99 proof amplifies the rye spice of the whiskey, counteracting some of the corn's sweetness, offering a balanced taste for the ambitious bourbon lover.

• ABV: The spirit is bottled at 99 proof, which is 49.5% ABV.