Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection Bourbon

Barrel No. 7166894, picked by LRP 2020 Filled on 09-03-15, approximate age 4.5-5 years Open 4 weeks Nose - toasted nuts, vanilla, corn dust, nutmeg, anise, medium ethanol, light oak. Palate - Sweet corn and nuts, vanilla, butterscotch, black pepper and anise typically found in higher rye mashbills, zero ethanol burn. The finish is medium, with stronger rye pepper and anise flavors overtaking the sweet notes. The oak tannins are still light, and ethanol burn minimal. This has been rolling out in large quantities in NC over the last month and has been something I've looked forward to trying given its price and proof. This has not disappointed, it is a solid buy at $35 for a sourced Heaven Hill product. Surprisingly, it has little in common with Elijah Craig even though it has the same mashbill. The charcoal mellowing has a lot to do with it, and likely the age as well. It tastes more like Tennessee whiskeys I've had this year (George Dickel BiB, GD Hand Selected Barrel, and Uncle Nearest 1856) with slightly more rye influence. I think if you like those products you'll like this. It's not as complex as George Dickel, but now it's much easier to find.

Having enjoyed the Old Ezra quite a bit I took a chance on the barrel pick from A&B. Wasn't sure what to expect so this one is a gamble. Let's roll the dice.... Nose is brown sugar and vanilla like a proper bourbon, but this one has some ethanol lingering so don't breathe too deep. First sip brings some sweetness to the tip of your tongue, but it is quickly engulfed with some significant heat. I am getting some burnt caramel notes, but not in the creme brulee vein. This is unfortunately a little off for my palate. A couple sips in and I just get more burned aftertaste instead of a nice slow burn. Verdict here is that I really wanted to enjoy this pour, but it was subpar in my humble opinion.

Picked this one up based upon recommendation from a local liquor rep and hats off to him. This is barrel 7385678 for Crown Liquors in IN. For the $30 and 107 proof this is a damn good bourbon. Taste was neat in glencairn. Nose - sweet vanilla frosting, orange, oak, and candy corn. Palate - nice texture good coating, front end sweet with a punch of vanilla and toffee, mid palate moves to orange, little bit of apple, and not a super strong oak flavor but a woodsy note, back end a big burst of cinnamon and spice, between the mid to end get a little bit of a spiced apple. Finish - that cinnamon spice and pepper really hangs on for a minute or two then starts to mellow out goes back to apple, little bit of oak and orange. Barrel picks obviously can vary a bit, but this particular barrel for $30 a no brainer. Good flavor and a really good amount of spice, doesn’t burn, but has a legit cinnamon and pepper flavor on the back end, thankful for the recommendation and well done Ezra Brooks/Lux Row. Cheers!

‘My best bourbon under $30’ FWGS sp - barrel 1808614 - barreled 12/3/14. Cherry cola, cloves, black licorice & love.

Just scooped this for 36$ probally one of the cheaper barrel select high proof bourbons out there. have only had a few sips but really enjoying it so far. I would highly recommend this

Barrel number 7167088 selected by VA ABC. Pale golden straw color some stickiness to the legs Alcohol immediately apparent on the nose, with some toasty grain notes, eucalyptus and dry oak. Hot on the palate, with spice, dried herbs (rosemary?) and peanut brittle. Between the front and finish a little bit of peanut butter toast. Finishes dry with some caramel, peanut and more dry oak. Pretty underwhelming to be honest, for 37 bucks I can do a heck of a lot better.