I've had the base Ezra Brooks and it was just fine for a sub $15 bottle of bourbon. The Ezra Brooks rye is a real show stealer for the price, but the bourbon was completely acceptable. What happens when both price and proof bump up? The pour is a brassy light caramel orange color and a swirl shows good sheeting with multiple small tears running back to the bowl. I expect a good mouthfeel from this whiskey, if not a thick oily one. I got exactly what I expected, the texture here is just a bit thin. On the nose this is white cake frosting, sugar, ethanol, vanilla, a whiff of latex paint, and faint oak. The aromas tell be this might be a bit brash or bright, but interesting. The nose is mildly to moderately complex and reflective of a sweeter, rounder bourboun. The taste comports with the nose, opening sweetly with ample sugar and vanilla cake frosting. The mid palate is dry and peppery and the finish is moderate and warming at the back of the throat with black pepper, ginger and cinnamon making an appearance. This is pretty much right down the middle of the bourbon lane in terms of flavor. It was interesting side-by-side tasting this with the George Dickel 8 Year Bourbon. Both bottles are about the same price. On the nose I found the Dickel the more interesting pour with significantly more barrel notes. The Ezra was sweeter and in comparison that cake frosting sweetness is very evident. The Ezra is also a bit fruitier and spicier with its slightly higher rye mash bill. Ezra Brooks drinks like a higher rye whiskey than claimed. The mashbill of this is 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley and the mashbill of the Dickel is 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley. The Ezra Brooks honestly reminds me a bit of Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond but maybe even a touch sweeter and a bit less peppery. I would think this is a good bourbon for liquor-forward cocktails. Both the Ezra and the Dickel are eminently drinkable bourbons and very good values. I'm going to give a slight edge to the Dickel as a sipper for being richer and more rounded, but if your taste leans towards a sweeter profile you may opt for the Ezra. I feel like the Ezra might make a better Manhattan with its higher rye profile, and when I have a chance to make one I'll report back here. This is a solid bourbon for a very fair price.