Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection (Single Barrel) Store Pick

Ezra Brooks is one of the many different impressions available from Lux Row Distillers. What's interesting about Lux Row is the history behind the distillery itself. The many brands that they currently manufacture all started at other distilleries prior to coming to the Bardstown, Ky location. 

The Ezra Brooks that I happened to pick up was a single barrel store pick, provided thanks to Foothills Liquor here in the greater Denver, Co area.

Before even cracking the bottle two things stand out. First was the price, for a single barrel store pick to be sold for less than $30.00 is a massive surprise. On average it would seem that to get a single barrel or even a single barrel store pick the price starts north of $40 and goes from there. The second was the color, while this is labeled as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey the richness of the color. This bottle had a barrel date of May 2016, so for just a little over four years it has a very deep amber color. 

The mash bill for Ezra Brooks falls in to what Lux calls their "ryed" mash bill which consists of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. This same mash bill is used for another Lux label "David Nicholson Reserve". While Lux uses a similar mash bill across their product lines much of the variety is accomplished in the barrel as part of the finishing process.

In the glass and on the nose the Ezra Brooks has a unique smell, somewhere between fall rain and wet bandaid. Just closing your eyes your able to picture moments in time with a light cold breeze and tan / red leaves (maybe this is the reason for the whiskey itself having a similar vibrant fall leave color). 

Like most impressions when tasting neat you almost always notice the ABV, this single barrel was bottled at 53.5% coming in a 107 proof. This accounts for the initial focal point of alcohol but if you stick with it you're welcomed with full on mouthful of caramel. Not just the light caramel you get in something like a Snickers but full on Halloween Candied Apple caramel. This then turns in to tannic bliss of leather with a light tickle of a baking spice. Not quite all spice, not quite nut meg but it's there.

But Ezra Brooks isn't all whiskey bliss, while for the price it's VERY enjoyable it does have some limitations. First is the mouth feel, it's not thin but it's just not that velvet plush / inky feeling that one would expect for the rich color. The other weakness is the finish, while the turn from caramel to leather baking spice is excellent it just fades off too fast. This actually does have an upside is that you're quick to pull another sip, but it would be nice if this had a little more body.

All in all this one is a great daily drinker, and it checks quite a few of the boxes. It would make a great cocktail, it's single barrel at a price point that is shocking low, and for 107 proof easy to drink. 

All in all if you find a store pick in the Distillers Collection support your local store and pick it up.