Rating: 12/23 N: Cinnamon, caramel, suwdusty wood, a faint nuttiness, spices (including a dry, ryeness), and also plenty of mineral. Maybe a hint of alcohol, but that's acceptable at 45% ABV. If it weren't for the mineral, this would be a very nice hedonistic nose. P: It's pretty light, but it has a big cinnamon woodiness and some fairly light caramel and faint nuttiness bringing it up a bit. Mostly, this is about the cinnamon woodiness. There's a suggestion of vanilla, but not much. This is not complex, but considering the bottom-shelf cost, it serves its purpose well. I really wish it were richer though because that minerality holds it back from that Wild Turkey 101 level of hedonism. I might get a hint of that alcohol in here. F: Minerals, cinnamon, a bit of sawdusty wood, and faint elements of caramel and vanilla. Not as nice as the palate because of the increased minerality, but not awful. Side by side, Wild Turkey 101 is much better than this, all around. On the other hand, Jim Beam Black is only slightly better (it's lighter, but more complex and funky) and Ancient Age is not quite as good (I like its fun candy sweetness, but it's a bit jarring). The richness here is, surprisingly, much more substantial than that of Lazy River. At the end of the day, I think I need to go with a high 11 or low 12. I'm landing on the 12 this time. I could sip this if my palate were burned out and I'm sure it's fine enough in many mixed drinks, but I think I'm better off just stocking Wild Turkey 101 and Ancient Age. Sure, the Wild Turkey is proportionately a lot more expensive, but it's just so much better and when I'm drinking something that's under $20 for a bottle, health and happiness are much bigger concerns that those extra few bucks. Ancient Age, on the other hand, has a much different profile, which is likely more appealing to whiskey newbies (I use this term in the most sincerely positive way) and is just kind of a fun, easy drinker now and then. I just don't see what I would do with Ezra Brooks