Ezra Brooks "Ezra B." 12 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Found this bottle in Chicago last year and was holding onto it until I felt the urge (or it was reviewed). The power went out tonight, so it seemed like a good opportunity for a blind whiskey tasting. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume this was a lower-year bottling of a premium brand whiskey. If you appreciate Ezra Brooks' black label for any reason (I drink it neat when cleaning my motorcycles), you'll find this to be quite enjoyable. Previous tasters have overlooked the difficulty in finding reasonably priced higher-proof whiskey, and this fills that gap at 99 proof. While mellowed by barrel aging, it still retains some of the harshness associated with the Ezra B. buzz saw that used to assault my liver in my younger days. Vanilla is prominent, oak is subtle and provides a very spicy/peppery finish. Some brown sugar and caramel emerge with patience, but the aroma never truly opens up. A good purchase and a decent whiskey to share, though likely not something I'll keep readily available.

The liquid presents a deep amber color, immediately forming distinct legs on the glass. The aroma starts with oak, nutmeg, brown sugar, and a hint of char and fruit. The palate is rich with creamy vanilla and oak, possessing a somewhat oily and chewy texture that spreads to the mouth's edges. A touch of black pepper introduces some spiciness, accompanied by baking spices and burnt brown sugar. The finish is of medium length, dissipating a little too quickly, with oak and spice lingering before the creaminess makes a final brief appearance and then fades.

This was a staple for me during college – a robust whiskey that could handle a night out. It possesses a certain quality, stemming from its higher proof, that will make many youngsters' faces pucker. In my experience, it mixes exceptionally well, but it's also excellent on ice with cherries. This helps to highlight the subtle fruity notes that might otherwise be lost amidst the dominant corn grain alcohol and light barrel spice. A solid purchase that will distinguish a gathering.

This is an acceptable bourbon, but superior options exist. The nose presents aromas of charred oak and vanilla, leaning sweeter than fruity. The palate, however, is quite spicy, with ample amounts of peppers and nutmeg alongside a pleasant vanilla flavor. The finish is rather unmemorable, though not unpleasant, and leaves me desiring a better bourbon.

Similar to another whiskey, I detect a lot of alcohol on the nose, along with some oak. This is the smoothest of the set so far (another whiskey, then another whiskey before this). I was unsure how to describe the finish, so I consulted professional reviews. I believe I agree with a cinnamon and nutmeg finish, but it shifts to a menthol toward the end, which is a drawback for me.

It possesses a truly lovely, vanilla aroma. Among the finest aromas for any bourbon. Upon the first taste, it is very smooth, with a pleasant burnt sugar note. However, it has virtually no finish, which made the sipping experience disappointing.