I don't really know much about Ezra Brooks' bourbon selections but a good friend of mine recommended I try Old Ezra if I ever got the chance to do so. With a reasonable price point and a barrel strength punch, I figured I didn't have much to lose! Very traditional barrel strength bourbon nose. Charred oak, vanilla and brown sugar with a kiss of cherries and baking spice to close it out. What an interesting taste! Starts very sweet with caramel that opens up to sweet and tart cherries before baking spices and tannic oak swirl into the mix. I think the proof makes that drier, tannic oak rush the other flavors off the palate a little too quickly, but it is pleasant, nonetheless. The finish stays on the dry and spicy side. A very brief hit of leather mixes with that oak and baking spice. The proof does prickle your tongue just a bit, but not unpleasantly so. The finish isn't super long, oily or as full bodied as I was hoping for but as the flavors fall off, there's a hint of vanilla that lingers just for a moment. Breathe in through your mouth and you'll detect it more clearly. For a budget barrel strength bourbon this one is solid!