Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength Review

If you prefer an audio version of this post, and would like to listen on the go, I got you covered!

---

Bottle Basics

Name: Old Ezra 7 Year Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Strength
Distillery: Undisclosed. “Distilled and aged in Kentucky for Lux Row Distillers Bardstown, Kentucky”
Proof: 117
ABV: 58.5%
Mash Bill: 78% corn, 12% malted barley, 10% rye
Age: 7 years
Size: 750ml
MSRP: $38 – $43 USD (Japan, June 2023)

Additional Details

Distiller Notes:

We age this Kentucky straight bourbon in new, charred white oak barrels for seven years and bottle it at barrel strength. Seven just became your lucky number.

INGREDIENTS
Corn, rye and barley

AWARDS
Whisky Advocate Top 20 Whiskies of 2019 (#7 / 94 point rating)

TASTING NOTES

• AROMA
  Vanilla and cinnamon

• PALATE
  Sweet floral notes with undertones of vanilla, cinnamon, and fine wood

• FINISH
  Warm, buttery finish

Source

Introduction

Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength is a brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon produced by Luxco, a spirits company based in St. Louis, Missouri. The Ezra Brooks line, which Old Ezra 7 Year is a part of, has a storied history that traces back to the mid-20th century.

In 1957, the Medley Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, introduced Ezra Brooks bourbon to compete with the immensely popular Jack Daniel’s. Over the next few decades, the brand changed hands multiple times. During the 1990s, it was acquired by the David Sherman Corporation, later known as Luxco.

The brand underwent a revival in the 21st century, and several age-stated expressions were released (Old Ezra 7 Year 101 proof, Old Ezra 12 Year 101 proof, Old Ezra 15 Year 101 proof), including the Old Ezra 7 Year.

However, it wasn’t until 2018 that the barrel strength version of Old Ezra 7 Year was introduced. This bourbon is aged for a minimum of seven years and bottled at a robust 117 proof, making it a much stronger offering than the typical Ezra Brooks product.

In terms of its production, the Old Ezra 7 Year is made using a sour mash process and features a high corn content, which contributes to its distinctive flavor profile.

In recent days, Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength has become a frequent daily sipper of mine. Interestingly enough, this bottle was not one that initially caught my attention. Although it’s been a frequent sight on the shelves of my local liquor stores here in Japan, for some reason, it simply passed under my radar.

It wasn’t until later on my bourbon journey that I took a closer look and finally noticed the words ‘barrel strength’ on the label. An epiphany moment, if you will. A wave of incredulity hit me as I thought, “How did I miss this?!” If I had noticed it earlier, I would have absolutely snatched it up without hesitation.

The kicker? This bourbon only sets you back $40 USD. In my neck of the woods, options for budget-friendly barrel-proof bourbons are somewhat few and far between, so to see this consistently stocked and at MSRP… it’s an absolute steal. A quality cask strength bourbon that doesn’t break the bank? Yes to that all day.

Appearance

Boasting a rich amber hue, Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength resembles a vial of maple syrup. Yet, despite its syrupy color, the liquid doesn’t share the same viscosity. Instead, it forms rather thin legs that elegantly trace their way down the glass.

Nose

I’m greeted by a strong ethanol presence upfront. Letting it air out a bit is recommended. After letting it sit for about thirty minutes, and revisiting the nose, it was much more doable.

On the second go, I get vanilla sugar cookies, with just a faint hint of cinnamon sprinkles. Freshly baked cherry cobbler. Werther’s butterscotch candy. Rich toffee pudding.

The nose then takes a turn with some notes of barrel char and sweet oak. It’s a welcome reminder of the whiskey’s roots and rounds off this aromatic journey perfectly.

Palate

On my first sip of Old Ezra 7 Year, the texture reveals the bourbon’s proof, which swoops in immediately. After letting it sit again, on a second sip, the flavors finally come out to play.

The first notes that meet my palate are those of crisp Fuji and Honeycrisp apples, accompanied by the sweetness of fresh berries.

Next, I pick up some milk chocolate, caramel fudge, and creme brulee. The notes meld together in a creamy, sweet concoction, reminiscent of an indulgent dessert spread.

Suddenly, the sweetness is punctuated by the unmistakable taste of Snickerdoodle Cookies, and other cinnamon flavored baked goods.

Lastly, the palate is rounded off by the bold taste of burnt wood bits. This assertive note echoes the charred barrel from the nose and brings a grounding earthiness to the bourbon, providing a lovely balance to the sweeter flavors.

Finish

As Old Ezra 7 Year draws to a close, the finish doesn’t disappoint. It provides a lengthy Kentucky hug that lingers, a reminder of the bourbon’s full strength and depth.

The first notes on the finish bring forth a warm dash of nutmeg, followed closely by the spiced sweetness of gingerbread cookies, like a festive blend of holiday baking.

Then, the flavor profile takes an exciting turn with the fiery kick of Atomic Fireballs. This spicy cinnamon hard candy note adds an unexpected punch, providing a sharp contrast to the smoother flavors that precede it. I’d say this is the backbone of this pour’s Kentucky hug.

Finally, the last flavor to grace my palate is the lingering taste of barrel char (yet, again). Like the echo of a song, it’s a fitting end to a bourbon that started strong and remained dynamic throughout, providing a satisfactory conclusion to my Old Ezra 7 experience.

Conclusion

Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength is a whiskey that has thoroughly won me over. It’s full-bodied and rich, with a vibrant assortment of classic bourbon flavors that somehow manage to evoke memories of my favorite cookies.

Yes, there’s heat – the high proof makes sure of that – but once you get past the initial intensity, the flavors are rewarding and abundant. This is a bourbon that fits my palate perfectly.

What makes Old Ezra 7 Year an even more attractive choice is its price point. At $40 USD MSRP, it offers incredible value for a barrel strength bourbon. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other value-oriented, high-proof whiskies such as Maker’s Mark Cask Strength or Wild Turkey Rare Breed, although I’ve heard that Rare Breed’s price has been creeping up lately.

Living in Japan, I have the advantage of finding Old Ezra 7 consistently available at MSRP, both in brick-and-mortar stores and online. I understand, however, that the situation is not quite the same back in the US. Reports of fluctuating prices and bottles selling at almost double the MSRP are common. At those elevated prices, I would be inclined to agree with those who feel it’s no longer worth the purchase.

If I were to spend in the $60 – $80 USD range, I’d probably lean towards options like Old Forester 1920 or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – although the latter still eludes my collection.

For the foreseeable future, as long as I reside in Japan and can access Old Ezra 7 for a reasonable $40 USD, this bottle will remain a mainstay in my whiskey lineup. I’ve already worked my way through a few of these, which is a clear testament to my appreciation of this bourbon. To state it plainly, Old Ezra 7 is a versatile, reliable, and most importantly, enjoyable daily pour that I wholeheartedly endorse.

Additional Images

---

Dram Japan Newsletter
Get email notifications when new posts come out!