Aged for seven years and bottled without the addition of water, Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years is as close to getting a direct-from-the-barrel experience with the Old Ezra brand. Setting aside that it’s a sourced whiskey, tasting whiskey like this, in its natural form, is something that’s become increasingly popular over the years and brings fans and brands closer to each other.
The supposed source for this is Heaven Hill, but it’s not touted as a wheater nor does it really have the same profile as other Luxco sourced wheaters like the Rebel Yell 10 Years. We do know that Luxco sources from MGP, along with everyone else, but it’s labeled at a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey which, really, leaves us with Heaven Hill and Barton. Anyways, enough speculation, on to the review!
Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Lux Row Distiller’s Words: Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years
Aged a full seven years for a more robust flavor, this bourbon is bottled at barrel strength of 117 proof. This allows the bourbon to develop bold, intense flavors with the perfect balance of oak, caramel, cinnamon and pepper, with a long, warm finish.
Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Kentucky, USA
Bottler: Lux Row Distillers
Distiller: Most likely Heaven Hill or Barton
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 7 Years
ABV: 58.5%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $40*
Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years Tasting Notes
EYE
Ruddy oak
NOSE
Dark fruit, stone fruit, dark sweets, oak, spice and cocoa
PALATE
Oak, cocoa, dark fruit, nutmeg, honey, spice, char, cocoa and brown sugar
FINISH
Med-Long -> Corn, vanilla and spice
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good, medium, warm and drying
Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years Review: OVERALL
When is a barrel strength whiskey not like a barrel strength whiskey? When it drinks so smooth you’d swear it wasn’t anything more than 46%. Which is the case here with the Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting.
Starting fruity and then moving to oaky and nutty, the aroma is the most complex aspect and it keeps shifting and evolving as it opens; water has a dynamic effect on it. The palate stays oak and fruit driven with a bit more fruit and spice showing up with water. On both the oak is the most elusive aspect; sometimes coming out bold and other times it’s hard to find.
All-in-all I enjoy the whiskey and it’s always awesome to have a good barrel proof whiskey on hand, especially carrying an age statement for under $50, but it lacks a bit of richness. Old Ezra 7 Years Barrel Strength Bourbon is a tasty bourbon for sure and the high proof makes it ideal for cocktails. Definitely not a bad thing to have on the shelf.
SCORE: 86/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
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Old Ezra 7 Years Barrel Strength Bourbon Review Summary
Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years is a decent whiskey. Not mind blowing, but decent – especially at the price!
Overall
- Nose - 86
- Palate - 86
- Finish - 86
- Balance, Body & Feel - 86
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
When I first got this bourbon, I was really digging it. Not only was it a nice find, but it was a good value for what it is.
But as time has gone on, I don’t really reach for this. I am trying to finish off the bottle, but its a tad underwhelming. Like stated in a previous comment, most likely due to charcoal filtering, but it does seem a bit mellow.
Not bad at all and good even, but not very exciting at the moment. The new Kirkland’s Single Barrel at 120 proof really ran this one out of the rotation in both cost and flavor. Cheers!
Good to know, thanks for sharing Kevin. Cheers!
Hey Josh, so I guess they’ve discontinued the 7 yr 101 proof. I’m in Canada and there are still à few bouncin’ around up here. Is it an upgrade over the 90 proof?
Hey Randy, it’s a big upgrade over the 90 proof. I wish I had more!
Do you think the lack of richness is due to the charcoal mellowing?
Very possible.
Excellent bourbon for cocktails
I’ve found that others are better for drinking straight or on the rocks (I agree with the review that mentioned Rare Bread as better), but found that Old Ezra 7 is phenomenal in a Perfect Manhattan.
Awesome, thanks for sharing, cheers!
Another new find for me this week. A local chain store has it for $32 so I couldn’t resist a bottle. Now I’m thinking I’d better grab a backup tomorrow for good measure!
KIllER price and a nice grab. Cheers Kelly!
86…about right.
I’ve seen this from $49 – $89 in Georgia (absolute shame). I bought it at $49 early on, and though it’s good – Rare Breed is a far superior choice in this price range. To me, it’s just not THAT good in relation to other products on the market…or the others are so much better….
However, I’d buy it in the following order priced at $40 and the others at regular market:
1. Rare Breed
2. Knob Creek SB
3. Four Rose’s SB
4. Old Ezra BS
Love the breakdown, thanks for sharing Ben. Cheers!
This is excellent whiskey. My personal stash (which was quite sizable) is now down to a critical level. When/where can I get more of this. I’m in Pennsylvania but willing to travel.
Not sure Goerge. It was a limited run on the first batch. Totally out in my area too. :/
ECBP Jr?
I really enjoyed this one. Cinnamon, orange peel, Dried Peaches/apricots, burnt sugar clove and oak on the nose. Most of those transfer to the palate with the addition of peanut brittle and a healthy dose of tannic oak. A great musty oak lingers on the finish. Water gives it some more depth (you get the traditional vanilla and toffee) and brings even more oak above the heat. It reminded me of “Poor Man’s Elijah Craig Barrel Proof”. For $40 in my area, it’s a no-brainer every time I see it available.
Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Is this in full production? And being released regularly? This is super exciting, I truly love the 90 proof Ezra 7, especially for the price. I hope its in GA market soon.
Yeah it should be. It has a slow rollout but should be nationwide soon. Cheers Matt!