Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years Review

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.

Old Ezra 7 Years Barrel Strength Bourbon

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

Old Ezra 7 Years Barrel Strength Bourbon Detail

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 is a decent whiskey. Not mind blowing, but decent - especially at the price!

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)