Whiskey Review: Ezra Brooks Distiller’s Collection Bourbon

We’re back with another entry from Lux Row Distillers, this time diving into the Ezra Brooks Distiller’s Collection—a high rye bourbon whiskey that clocks in at 107 proof. We’ve previously tried Ezra Brooks 99, Old Ezra 7 Year, and the standard Ezra Brooks, but this Distiller’s Collection is a special small-batch release. It comes out every few weeks in batches of just 30–40 cases, often hand-selected by Lux Row’s master distiller or designated team members.

We’ve long been fans of the Rebel Distiller’s Collection (Lux Row’s wheated bourbon line), but we’ve had more mixed experiences with Ezra Brooks. Could this one change our minds? Let’s dive in.

Nose

Brad: The first thing that hit me was how astringent it came across. It mellowed a bit with time and revealed some caramel, black pepper, and a hint of red apple. But that sharp astringency never fully faded for me. Score: 6.5/10

Bob: I got a totally different vibe—pink bubblegum right off the bat, followed by a heavy dose of Coca-Cola with black pepper. There’s also a red apple peel note at the end that gives it a nice complexity. It’s not quite apple pie, but there’s a spiced sweetness I liked. Score: 7.5/10

Taste

Brad: The spice level kicked up a notch here—clove, caramel, and that tart apple really shined. It’s interesting and well-executed. Score: 7/10

Bob: Up front, the Coca-Cola sweetness dominated, then transitioned into something close to vanilla extract. It became a bit overpowering and almost medicinal on the back end. What started strong kind of soured. Score: 7/10

Finish

Brad: The finish didn’t linger much. Peppery and oaky, but it faded quickly. Score: 6/10

Bob: I agree. It was overly spicy and bitter. Honestly, it reminded me of when a pill dissolves in your mouth—just a weird, medicinal bitterness that took me out of it. Score: 5.5/10

Balance

Bob: The nose and palate started out strong, but the finish threw the whole experience off for me. That bitterness really hurt the overall balance. Score: 6.5/10

Brad: Same for me. There’s just nothing exceptional going on. I wish I liked it more. Score: 6/10

Value

Brad: At $35, I wanted to be generous—but there are just too many better whiskeys at that price point. Score: 5/10

Bob: I’m more forgiving here. It’s a small-batch, 107-proof bourbon, probably 6–7 years old, and even if you don’t love it, it’s not a huge investment. If you like high-rye bourbons, it might be worth the gamble. Score: 6.5/10

Final Scores

Bob: 33/50
Brad: 30.5/50
Average: 31.75/50

Final Thoughts

Ezra Brooks Distiller’s Collection brings some bold, spicy flavors to the table—but ultimately, it didn’t meet our expectations, especially compared to Rebel Distiller’s Collection from the same distillery. At 31.75/50, it falls just below the bar where we typically recommend trying it at a bar or picking up a bottle. It’s priced fairly, but the experience just didn’t land for us.

If you’re a die-hard fan of high-rye bourbon, it might still be worth a shot—but otherwise, our recommendation leans toward skipping this one in favor of better offerings in the same price range.