Old Ezra 12 Year Review

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Bottle Basics

Name: Old Ezra 12 Year Rare Old Sippin’ Whiskey
Distillery: Undisclosed. “Distilled & Aged In Kentucky By Ezra Brooks Distilling, Louisville, Kentucky, USA” (likely Heaven Hill sourced)
Proof: 101
ABV: 50.5%
Mash Bill: Undisclosed
Age: 12 years
Size: 750ml
MSRP: $79 (2023 July, Japan)

Additional Details

Distiller Notes:

Still bottled at an honest 101 proof, and aged the old fashioned way — in new, charred, American white oak barrels — for a full 12-years to provide a deep, rich and extra smooth sippin’ taste. Ezra Brooks is then charcoal filtered for an unmistakable, unforgettable mellow flavor.

A genuine sour mash bourbon, made using the finest ingredients available. For generations, Ezra Brooks whiskey has been the whiskey for those with a rugged spirit and taste for adventure.

Description on bottle

Historical Note:

Ezra Brooks is a brand of bourbon whiskey that has been around since the 1950s. The brand was originally owned by the Frank Silverman Company of St. Louis, and it was developed as a competitor to Jack Daniel’s. The brand was purchased by the David Sherman Corporation (now Luxco) in the latter part of the 20th century.

Luxco, a non-distilling producer, sourced the bourbon for the Ezra Brooks line from various distilleries over the years. While the sources of their bourbons are typically undisclosed, many believe that the bourbon for the Old Ezra expressions specifically was sourced from Heaven Hill distilleries.

Several age-stated expressions have been released under the brand, including Old Ezra 101 Proof 7 Year and Old Ezra 101 Proof 12 Year. These are higher-proof versions of the Ezra Brooks bourbon. While the former was discontinued in the U.S., limited quantities are still available in international markets. The latter, on the other hand, is reputed to be a Japan-export-only variety. As of 2021, Luxco’s Ezra Brooks lineup features Ezra Brooks Black Label, Ezra Brooks 99 Proof, and Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength, among others.

Introduction

Well, who doesn’t love a good bourbon find? It’s not often that I encounter a completely new bottle these days, so when Old Ezra 12 Year popped up on the shelves, it sparked a bit of that bourbon hunter thrill I used to feel. It’s not that I’ve tasted every bourbon under the sun, far from it. But when it comes to the offerings in my local stores, I feel like I’ve seen it all. So, every trip to a shop becomes a contemplative game of “what should I try next?” instead of “what’s new?”

But that day was different. The discovery of Old Ezra 12 Year was refreshing and exhilarating, not just because it was a novelty, but also because it’s an export-only bourbon exclusive to Japan.

You see, it also wasn’t just the novelty of finding something new. It was the fact that I’d recently finished my review of Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength, and then suddenly, there was its elder cousin, gracing the shelves. A fortuitous twist of fate? Perhaps.

Jumping ahead a bit, let me just say, I deeply regret not getting a second bottle. I won’t spoil too much here in the introduction, but let me assure you, this bourbon offers an exceptional pour.

Appearance

Bottle Design

Worth mentioning is the transformation of Old Ezra’s branding. The bottle I have showcases Old Ezra’s contemporary label design, a distinct shift from its previous incarnation. The older design boasted a different color scheme, typography, and even the bottle top was different – it employed a screw top as opposed to the classy cork featured on the new bottles.

This makeover was applied to the entire Ezra Brooks lineup in 2016¹. The re-imagined design is not just a superficial change of color scheme and typography, but it also transforms the practical aspect, replacing the screw top with a more traditional cork.

This rebranding initiative brought a fresh, contemporary appeal to the Ezra Brooks brand while maintaining the distinctive character of its bourbons. It’s interesting to observe these shifts in branding, not just for their aesthetic appeal but also for the subtle influence they might have on our perception of the spirit within.

Whiskey Color

Old Ezra 12 Year presents a deep amber hue in the glass. Upon swirling, it doesn’t form the slow, meandering legs you might expect from a bourbon of this age. Instead, it clings to the glass in a scattered, oil-droplet manner. In short, it has a medium viscosity level.

Nose

The first sniff of Old Ezra 12 Year Bourbon immediately calls to mind the nostalgic treat of Caramel Apple Pops, where the tartness of green apple hard candy melds perfectly with a chewy caramel exterior. On top of this, there’s a distinct black pepper oak note adding some warmth and spice to the sweet profile.

As the bourbon breathes, a sharper fruit sweetness emerges, akin to dried fruits and green muscat, beautifully complemented by an orange citrus zest that brightens the aroma profile. The final note I picked up is reminiscent of the smooth creaminess of Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Squares, adding a touch of indulgence to this fascinating nose.

Palate

Upon taking the first sip of Old Ezra 12 Year, the high proof doesn’t overwhelm the initial taste, but rather arrives towards the end, enhancing the overall experience.

There’s a slight bubblegum note that comes through, which is then followed by a wave of rich butterscotch, vanilla, and honey. Think vanilla bean crème brûlée, where the caramelized sugar topping cracks open to reveal a silky, flavorful custard within.

Finish

The finish on the Old Ezra 12 Year Bourbon, it’s a nice, medium-long wind down. Sweet oak comes through. Following the oak, there’s toasted marshmallows with a fluffy, slightly charred sweetness. It’s a pretty satisfying and full-circle kind of finish with campfire char notes all around.

Conclusion

Old Ezra 12 Year 101 Proof has proven to be a delightful surprise in the bourbon journey. Not only does it deliver an impressive array of rich and inviting flavors, it also offers an intriguing story of brand evolution, marking its spot as an export-only bourbon that’s unique to Japan. Its place on my shelf was initially a spur-of-the-moment decision, triggered by the novelty of finding something new in familiar territory.

But now, after experiencing its depths, it’s clear that the real regret would have been passing it by. It’s got a complexity that belies its price point, making it a bourbon that both beginners and veterans can appreciate. Safe to say, it won’t be the last Old Ezra bottle to grace my collection. It’s one of those bourbons that you find yourself reaching for when you want to indulge in a familiar comfort, but with an adventurous twist.

Before I wrap this up, a confession is in order. Nearly half of this exquisite Old Ezra 101 Proof 12 Year bottle was frivolously enthusiastically consumed, partly due to its irresistible flavor profile and partly for the purposes of an in-depth review. A return visit to the shelf where it was first found was naively expected to yield additional bottles. Alas, it was not to be – a fact that harks back to my earlier confession of regret.

It’s okay. It’s OK, I keep telling myself. The scarcity only amplifies the appeal, and as I write this conclusion, I find myself reminiscing about its intriguing flavors, wishing I had been more conservative in my sipping.

Should fortune smile and present another opportunity to procure this bourbon, will it be swiftly purchased? Absolutely, without a second thought. Despite being a relative newcomer to my whiskey experience, Old Ezra 12 Year 101 Proof Bourbon has left a lasting impression that beckons a repeat performance.

Additional Images

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