Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection Bourbon

The only problem I have with this whisky is that I can remember what Old Ezra tasted like. But Django, you might say, Ezra Distiller's goes for $35 and Old Ezra is $60. Well, it wasn't that way two years back. No friends, gather round the campfire and let me tell you a story: two years ago Old Ezra was $40 and it was delicious. It tasted like someone had melted a stick of butter and swirled in some brown sugar until it had caramelized. Then, Whisky Advocated put Old Ezra on their top 20 and OE got a bit big for its britches. Those two years saw the price skyrocket to $60, and the problem with that? Old Ezra isn't worth $60 when I can get the Maker's Wood series bourbons or Knob 12 for that price. So this leads to another question? Are distillers aware that whisky drinkers know when a bottle crosses the threshold from affordably enjoyable to I'd drink it if offered but there's no way I'm paying that for it? Or is it simply that there are so many people willing to still drop the money out of ignorance it makes up for the fact that they lose the portion of the market that is in the know? For example, I've harped on this before, but Ardbeg Wee Beastie used to be $42 in my neck of the woods and it would go on sale for $37. Now I know there are differing opinions on the Beast but it's hard to find a better scotch at $37. Lo and behold, I walk into the store today and see that they've raised the price to $50, and I thought, well, I guess I'm never buying that again. Because my enjoyment of it doesn't match what they're asking. And it's the same with Old Ezra at $60. Now, Ezra Distiller's is bottled at the exact same proof as Old Ezra but it's three years younger, and it taste that way. If you look, you'll notice I've still given this a 3.5 because the price vs. pleasure factor is still in favor of me saying this is a bottle I've enjoyed and would consider buying again. It doesn't knock my socks off, but then, at $35 it doesn't have to. It just has to hit the spot on a day when I need that spot hit, you know what I mean? The nose is all vanilla, caramel and oak with maybe a slight touch of ethanol (actually there's something chlorinated about it, reminds me of the pool) but not enough to ruin it. In fact, I actually kind of enjoy that little stank on it here. It reminds me of buying that standard Ezra Brooks 90 proof 1.75 L bottle back in my 20s and nursing it over ice over the course of a night, only in slightly higher quality form here. The palate adds a bit of cinnamon to the caramel on the nose with a bit of sawdust and leather counterbalancing the vanilla sweetness. The finish isn't necessarily out of this world, but it suffices, and I only have to say that I hope they don't start pushing up the price on this one because while I might purchase it at $40, I'm certainly going no higher. I would say the main difference between this and the Old Ezra is really mouthfeel and the lack of that ethanol note in the more mature version. The buttery quality in the Old Ezra is absent here and that, like taking the road less traveled, really does make all the difference, but if you don't mind hanging out with the younger brother, this one might be for you. SPECS: Barrel No: 7539090

Smooth for the high proof, good amount of cinnamon and oak on the palate…on the nose I had a hint of vanilla

Little burn in the tongue. Hints of cinnamon. Short finish

Nose: Vanilla, spices, caramel Palate: pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon Finish: short, a little thin Overall: not bad, definitely doesn’t drink like a higher proof whiskey, stands up well to ice

Just ok. Purchased at the distillery so it’s always better there… smoky, spicy, oak, long finish.