Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

Before we get started, I would like to thank everyone for their well-wishes while I recovered from a mental health emergency. Knowing that I wasn’t letting people down by not publishing helped me to not worry and allowed me to get back to a stable spot a little quicker.

A few months ago, I started getting comments from readers that the standard Ezra Brooks 90 proof was disappearing from shelves. The Lux Row PR guy I talked to reassured me that it hadn’t been discontinued. But then, a few months later, the shoe dropped, and it was removed from the Ezra Brooks site. I know that a lot of folks were disappointed in that, but honestly, I almost never bought the 90-proof version. Especially once the 99-proof version became readily available.

So it wasn’t a huge surprise when I saw this bottle of 99-proof Ezra Brooks rye sitting on the shelf of a local liquor store instead of the former 90-proof version. Of course I grabbed it, thinking that it might be fun to compare it to the Rebel 100 Rye that we looked at a couple of weeks ago. Especially since they are both coming from the same producer. It was the cheapest thing I bought that day.

Now you might be asking yourself: ok, so what is the difference between Ezra Brooks 99 Rye and Rebel 100 Rye? And to that, I can confirm…one proof point. Beyond that is just speculation on my part. There isn’t a lot of info out there other than the website. I’m guessing they didn't do a big rollout of this one since they just did the Rebel 100 rollout. The one thing that I would love a little clarification on is the mash bill. The website contradicts itself. It says that the mash bill is 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. It also says that the ingredients are rye and barley. No corn was mentioned. Since this comes from their corporate cousins at MGP, I’m not sure which is the typo, as MGP makes both kinds of rye. So, for the time being, let’s just look at the juice in the jug, and I’ll update the post if I hear back from the PR folks. I had a huge email outage over the last few days, so who knows what got lost.

(UPDATE 05/15/23: I just got the press release for Ezra Brooks 99 Rye and the juice is the 51% rye mashbill. Their website has also been updated.)

Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: $26.99 for a 750 mL bottle at South Lyndale Liquors, Minneapolis, MN

Price per Drink (50 ml): $1.80

Details: 2 years old. 49.5% ABV. Distilled in Indiana.

Nose: Mint, cedar, honey, and coriander.

Mouth: Cinnamon, mint, honey, and cedar.

Finish: On the longer side of medium. Herbal with additional notes of baking spice and black tea.

Thoughts: Though all signs point to this being pretty much the same as the Rebel 100 Rye that we looked at a couple of weeks ago, there are subtle differences. However, it is hard to know if that is due to Rebel 100 being from the bottom of the bottle versus the Ezra Brooks 99 Rye being from the top, if it is in my imagination, or if there is an actual difference in the barrels that are chosen for each. As I said, the differences are subtle, with the Rebel 100 Rye being sweeter when I taste them side-by-side.

That said, though, this is a tasty rye. I'm digging the herbal notes I'm getting throughout. I even had to raid my spice rack to find the Corriander on the nose. Works well in cocktails too. This one gets a smile from me.

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Rebel 100 Rye

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Hello everybody and Happy 4:20 to those who celebrate where it is legal (and to those who allegedly do so where it is not). Tonight we have something to talk about that I really love: a new and inexpensive rye whiskey. You know that I love exploring new whiskeys. Especially those that come in with a price point where I don’t reflexively feel the need to apologize when I cover them.

Rebel 100 Rye is the latest offering from Lux Row Distillers. It complements the 100 proof offering of the Rebel 100 bourbon, one of my favorites in the Rebel Whiskey line-up. As an aside, I find it a little odd that the Rebel line is made up of a wheated bourbon and a rye whiskey, but no bourbon with rye in it. That said, I guess if the whiskey is good I guess I don’t really care how the combine the constituents of the brand. This is distilled and aged in Indiana at Lux Row’s sister distillery, MGP/Ross & Squibb using their 51% Rye Mash Bill of 51% rye grain, 45% corn, and 4% malted barely. It is two years old and will sell for a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

“Based on the continued success of both Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we’ve elevated the proof of its rye counterpart,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Rebel. “Rebel 100 Rye drinkers still will enjoy the award-winning smooth, spicy rye flavor of Rebel Rye at a proof level that amplifies its taste profile and stands out even better in classic cocktails.”

Let’s see how it tastes.

Rebel 100 Rye

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $19.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.33

Details: Two years old. 50% ABV. Mash bill: 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% malted barley.

Nose: Toffee, mint, and a touch of black tea and citrus.

Mouth: Cinnamon, dried grains, dill, mint and honey.

Finish: Warm and of medium length. Notes of cinnamon, mint, bubblegum, dill and honey.

Thoughts: If you are a fan of the Kentucky-style "barely legal" rye. This is a tasty, and inexpensive, example of that. I probably won't buy it too often because usually when I'm looking for rye, I go with one that has a higher percentage of rye in the mashbill. If I'm looking for something with less "rye" flavor, I go with a high-rye bourbon. This flavor profile sits in that no-man's-land for me. That said its still very good, even at only two years old, and I will happily finish the bottle. I also quite enjoy it in an old fashioned using orange or cherry bitters.

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Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Limestone Branch for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

If you and I have never talked about Malt Whiskey, it’s probably because, as a general rule, I do not like Malt Whiskey. Sure, I enjoy a few Irish whiskeys that also contain a significant percentage of malt. But in general, no. Malted grains are just not in my flavor wheelhouse. Even if that whiskey isn’t a “malt whiskey,” per see. I love Rye whiskey. But if a Rye has malted rye in it, I just don’t care for it.

So it was with mixed emotions that I noticed that the sample of Yellowstone’s latest release was an American Single Malt. I knew that I probably wasn’t going to like it, but I also knew that MGP makes some of the best whiskeys in the US (if not the best) and that Steve Beam is a fine curator and blender of said whiskeys. So if there was a chance that I was going to like an American Single Malt whiskey, this is the group that was going to give it to me.

So before we find out if they were able to craft something to pass the “Eric Test,” let’s see what Mr. Beam himself has to say about the liquid.

“I’m proud of the success Yellowstone Select Bourbon has enjoyed since 2015 when I introduced my take on my family’s historic brand,” said Beam. “And I’m proud to once again continue my family’s tradition of innovation with the launch of Yellowstone American Single Malt. This is a brand-new category of American whiskey, and our offering is sure to become a favorite among Yellowstone Bourbon fans and fans of American Single Malt Whiskeys alike.”

Alright. Let’s dig in.

Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $54.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $3.67

Details: 54% ABV. Aged & Distilled in Indiana

Nose: Clean, dried grains.

Mouth: Clean, dried grains, toffee, and cinnamon.

Finish: Warm and on the longer side of medium. Notes of dried grains, toffee, cinnamon, and mint.

Thoughts: I'm impressed. There are next to no Malt whiskeys that I've liked. But I like this one. I wasn't sure at first, but it really grew on me over the course of the ounce in my tasting glass. Very impressed. I’ll be coming back to this bottle more often than I had anticipated.

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Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey

These days more than anything else, I am having fun playing with lasers. Well, kinda. I bought a laser engraver and have been using it to make all sorts of fun stuff. I love working with wood, but I’ve been a professional digital artist for 20 years or so. This combines the fun that I can have with digital art, with the fun that I can have with physical items and blends it in a way that is rewarding and, well, fun. So far I’ve just been burning designs into wood and cutting things out, but that will change as I get used to the medium. I can’t wait.

One slick segue later and you’ll find that I’m not the only one who’s been doing some blending. (nailed it) The folks over at Lux Row are back at it. This time extending the Ezra Brooks brand lineup with a rye whiskey that is a blend of rye whiskeys. Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey blends two ryes whiskeys. One with a mash bill that contains 51% rye and another that has a mash bill of 95% rye. That last one is one of my favorite styles of rye so I was pretty excited to see this one land on my desk. Especially since it is 7 years old and 114° proof. That made my day. Here is what the producer has to say about their new release.

"With Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey, we've delivered a rye whiskey worthy of the Old Ezra label," said Lux Row Distillers master distiller John Rempe. "This tasty 7-year-old rye offers slightly sweet and oaky tones with hints of vanilla and honey, and it finishes with a warm touch of spice and tobacco. It's certain to become a favorite among both rye fans and fans of the Ezra Brooks brand family."

Now that we know what the producer has to say, let’s dig in and see how it tastes.

Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: This sample was provided for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $79.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $5.33

Details: 7 years old. 57% ABV. Blend of 51% rye mash whiskey and 95% rye mash whiskey.

Nose: Dusty aging warehouse, toffee, and an herbal mint.

Mouth: Rich mouthfeel. Toffee, mint, cinnamon, and oak.

Finish: Long and minty. Notes of herbal mint, toffee and cinnamon.

Thoughts: Even my wife who doesn't care for most rye whiskeys likes this. It is rich and sweet in the mouth with the minty rye notes taking over as the finish starts. This is tasty. I really am enjoying it.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, and more.

Daviess County Lightly Toasted Barrel Finished Bourbon

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

IMAGE: a partially full bottle of Daviess County Lightly Toasted Barrel Finished Bourbon

As we are in the middle of the Autumn Bourbon Special Release season, I find myself getting increasingly crabby with producers putting out bottles far outside a regular consumer's price range. Old Man Eric remembers when limited editions were limited in quantity, not limited to the wealthy. But that ship has long since passed us by. And all this site's frugal readers (and writers) need to remember that these bourbons are no longer for us. As my grandfather used to say, they are for people with more dollars than sense.

Or do we need to remember that? Last week, I had a Limited Edition Bourbon land on my front step. And it breaks the trend of Limited Editions being limited to people of wealth. Look, I get it. Market forces being what they are means that as more people want something that is of limited quantity, prices go up to what the market will bear. It’s just that, unfortunately for those of us in the frugal category, what the market as a whole can bear is more than we want to bear personally. But some producers seem ok with putting out a special edition bourbon that is only about $10 or so more expensive than their standard releases. And I think that should be celebrated.

So let’s pour a drink of the newly released Daviess County Lightly Toasted Barrel Finished Bourbon to celebrate and learn what there is to learn about this Limited Edition bourbon. I did a very deep historical dive into the history of the brand back in 2020 when they initially released bourbon under the Daviess County name, so I will let you go read that if you wish. But today, I’ll let the press release talk for itself.

I mean, I’m out here yelling at clouds. I might as well let someone with some sense take over.

Daviess County Lightly Toasted features its namesake brand family’s signature combination of ryed and wheated bourbon mashbills, which is aged four-plus years in charred-oak barrels and comes in at 96 proof (48% ABV). The lightly toasted barrel finish is what gives this limited-edition release its own unique flavor profile, while giving consumers additional options within the Daviess County family. “I’m proud to honor the rich history and tradition started in 1874 by the Daviess County Distilling Co. with this latest expression of our Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon,” said Lux Row Distillers master distiller John Rempe.

Eighteen thousand bottles of Daviess County Lightly Toasted, the “first in a series of annually offered toasted-barrel finishes” for the brand, will be hitting store shelves soon, if they haven’t landed already. The suggested retail price is $49.99. But now, I suppose that you want to know if it is any good, don’t you? Well, let’s get on with it, then.

Daviess County Lightly Toasted Barrel Finished Bourbon

Purchase Price: This sample was sent by the producers for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $49.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 48% ABV. A blend of wheated bourbon and bourbon that uses rye as its flavoring grain.

Nose: Warm, buttered toast, Christmas spices, brown sugar, vanilla, and roasted nuts.

Mouth: Spicier than I'd have guessed from the nose. Notes of Christmas spices, almond, and oak.

Finish: Warm and long with lingering notes of cinnamon and almond.

A smiley face because I really like this.

Thoughts: Dry and spicy without a ton of sweetness. The added wood and the cinnamon notes really come through when you compare it to standard Daviess County. I tend to like sweet, fruity bourbons as my go-to’s, but on those days I want something dry and spicy, I'm going to reach for this one. I really like it.

This is a very tasty limited edition bourbon that doesn’t cost much more than the standard release. I like it quite a bit better, though, so if I see it, I will also buy it. Not to shit on the standard release. I’ve enjoyed quite a few bottles of that over the last year or so. Lightly Toasted is just really good.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, posters, and more.

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2022

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

IMAGE: 200 mL sample bottle of the 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon

It’s fair to say I’m in Vacation Mode already. By which I mean I’m having a hard time giving two fucks about anything.

Which kinda sucks because I’m not actually going to be on vacation for a couple of weeks yet. But man, do I need it. I haven’t taken a day off since September of last year. And the burnout is starting to show. The ‘ol fuse on the temper is shorter than usual. Which is weird, what with the “give-a-shit meter” also being at an all-time low. I never realized that those two things could happen simultaneously.

“I couldn’t care less about that, but I’m probably going to get angry anyway…”

So yeah. Let’s just take the easy way out for this special release and let the producer describe this one for us.

Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam announced the upcoming release of 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Featuring a delicately balanced blend of 7-year, 15-year and 16-year aged bourbons hand-selected by Beam and aged in Marsala Superiore casks, the latest expression of Yellowstone Limited Edition will begin to be available in September with a suggested retail price of $99.99 per 750ml bottle.

Since 2015, Beam has produced a unique, limited-edition bourbon annually under the Yellowstone brand, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2022, along with its namesake national park. For this year’s Yellowstone Limited Edition, Beam selected Marsala Superiore casks to finish select barrels of 7-year-old-bourbon to provide unique tasting notes to complement the extra-aged bourbons comprising this year’s Limited Edition.

And now you might be asking yourself: “so what exactly is a Marsala Superiore cask?” Well, luckily for me and my lazy ways, the producer was happy to answer that question too.

Marsala Superiore is a dry, sweet wine produced near the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily and aged at least two years. A fortified wine similar to Sherry, Marsala imparts tangy flavors of dried fruit and citrus and is often used in cooking or served as a dessert wine. 

But at the end of the day, the real question is how does it taste, and is it worth the asking price? Let’s find out.

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2022

Purchase Info: This sample was sent by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $99.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.67

Details: 50.5% ABV. A blend of 7-year, 15-year, and 16-year-old bourbons. A portion of the bourbon was aged in Marsala Superiore casks.

Nose: Brown sugar, vanilla, fruit, baking spice, leather, and almond.

Mouth: Salted caramel, leather, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oak.

Finish: Spicy and warm with notes of bubblegum, oak, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Thoughts: Delicious. Spicy but not overly hot. It has a nice subtle fruitiness backing up the oak, leather, and spice notes. I'm really digging this one. I will have to keep my eyes open for it for sure. And if I see it for near the suggested retail price, I’ll probably splurge on it.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, posters, and more.

Bourbon Companies Help Yellowstone Recover

I’d like to thank Wyoming Whiskey for providing the review sample of National Parks No. 2 for this story. It was provided at no charge with no strings attached.

IMAGE: Landscape shot of Yellowstone National Park. Two geysers are in the foreground with tree-covered mountains in the distance.

As I’m sure you have probably heard, Yellowstone National Park and the communities that surround it are in the process of recovering from devastating floods. And bourbon makers with ties to the park are not standing still in helping out.

Limestone Branch Distillery Donates $50,000 to Help With Flood Recovery

Limestone Branch Distillery, makers of Yellowstone Bourbon, and long-time supporters of Yellowstone National Park have stepped up to help the park and the surrounding communities recover from this month’s devastating floods. Quoting from the press release that landed in my email this morning:

In response to the devastating floods impacting Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas, Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery – makers of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – has donated $25,000 each to the National Park Service (NPS) and to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for long-term support of flood-relief efforts.

Additionally, Limestone Branch distillery has agreed to match up to $50,000 in donations made in conjunction with a fundraising event benefiting the Southwest Montana Flood Relief Fund – a joint effort between the Park County Community Foundation (PCCF) and Greater Gallatin United Way – and the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation. The event, hosted by National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), will be held June 28 at the Rialto in Bozeman, Montana.

 “We were saddened to learn of the devastation caused by flooding at and around Yellowstone National Park. Our Yellowstone Bourbon brand shares a long, storied history with the park, and our master distiller Stephen Beam has been an avid supporter of – and visitor to – our country’s national parks for many years,” said Limestone Branch Distillery Brand Manager Caitlin Palmieri Jackson.

Yellowstone Bourbon also has set up a website (www.limestonebranch.com/about/yellowstone-gives-back) to provide additional information about fundraising efforts as well as links to vetted support organizations, where consumers can learn more about donating and other ways to help. For more information regarding the fundraiser in Bozeman, Montana, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/rJK/.

On a personal note, a good percentage of my own annual charitable donations go to the National Parks Conservation Association. I’m glad to see them putting my money to good use.

Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Join us in giving back. Scan the code to donate.

Wyoming Whiskey Releases National Parks No. 2 to Support Yellowstone Forever

Now, this particular bourbon was announced prior to the Yellowstone Floods. The bottle was released to celebrate the 150th birthday of Yellowstone National Park. But as the organization that the bottle supports, Yellowstone Forever, is in the thick of things in the recovery efforts I thought it would be good to include it here. Quoting from the press release:

Wyoming Whiskey announces the release of its limited edition National Parks No. 2 straight bourbon whiskey in tandem with the brand's continuing partnership with Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. The collaboration was born in celebration of Yellowstone National Park's 150th anniversary. The Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No. 2 bottle is the second collectible Limited Edition release in an annual National Park series which debuted in April 2021. It is now available in Yellowstone National Park and throughout Wyoming. It is also available in select U.S. markets and online from ReserveBar, Flaviar and Caskers.

The inaugural release of Wyoming Whiskey's National Parks series contributed over $120,000 to the National Park Foundation in 2021. Wyoming Whiskey continues on a steadfast mission to support our nation's sacred outdoor spaces with this year's initiative and has committed to donating $150,000 to Yellowstone Forever in the park's historic 150th year.

Let’s see how it tastes.

IMAGE: A sample bottle of Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No. 2

Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No. 2

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $69.99

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.67

Details: 52.5% ABV. 5 years old. Mash bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. Made from non-GMO Wyoming-grown grains and water.

Nose: Strong oak notes followed by caramel, vanilla, and baking spice.

Mouth: Nicely spicy. Cinnamon, dark chocolate, and ginger.

Finish: Medium to long and spicy. follows the month with notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, and almond.

IMAGE: This is delicious, it gets a smile.

Thoughts: This is absolutely delicious. I really like it. If you have the opportunity. pick this one up. It's delicious and helps a good cause.

Did you enjoy this post? If so, maybe you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee in return. Go to ko-fi.com/bourbonguy to support. And thank you, BourbonGuy.com is solely supported via your generosity.

Of course, if you want to support BourbonGuy.com and get a little something back in return, you can always head over to BourbonGuyGifts.com and purchase some merch. I’ve made tasting journals, stickers, pins, posters, and more.