Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream Head-to-Head Matchup: Review & Tasting Notes

 

Bourbon Cream is something that I’ve been a fan of since the first time I visited Kentucky. If you’re unfamiliar with it, the idea is simple. It is a blend of Bourbon and dairy cream. If that sounds gross, well, #DrinkCurious and try it anyway.

 

Bourbon Cream is an excellent liqueur. It has a low ABV and is usually served cool (or on the rocks). You can also use it for cooking, as a cocktail ingredient, adding it to your morning coffee, or as a substitute ingredient when another cream liqueur is specified.

 

Ezra Brooks launched its own packaged Bourbon Cream in 2016. It was a seasonal offering back then, coming out about the same time as egg nog and other cream-based seasonal liqueurs. Eventually, it was less challenging to find as its availability increased. And then, late in 2022, it was discontinued.

 

Except it wasn’t. What happened instead is Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream was rebranded, made to look like a more premium product, and got a massive 8-point proof boost. In fact, Ezra Brooks claims one of the highest-proofed, commercially-available Bourbon Creams on the market, weighing in at a hefty 16.5% ABV (33°). It also earned a price increase; what started at $14.99 is now $21.99 for a 750ml package.

 

“Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream is still made using all-natural cream and Kentucky Straight Bourbon but is now bottled at 33 proof – one of the highest proof levels of any offering in the Bourbon Cream category. Tasting notes include cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel with hints of vanilla and sweet pecan on the nose and buttery caramel, sweet toffee and a smooth, warm finish on the palate. Like its other elevated namesakes, Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream now is offered in upscale packaging – in this case, with a prominent “33” callout and Lux Row Distillers embossing on the bottle’s shoulder.” – Lux Row Distillers

 

It is natural to wonder how the rebranded version compares to the original, and as luck would have it, I have a bottle of both. The 750ml rebranded Bourbon Cream was provided to me by Lux Row Distillers in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. The 50ml is something I acquired in 2022 at some random liquor store.

 

Let’s get this head-to-head contest started. To make this as even a matchup as possible, I’ve used the same shaped glass and served these both at room temperature. In a shocker to folks who have followed me for however long, I am not using Glencairn glasses. Instead, I’ve opted for white wine glasses.

 

First up is the original, bottled at 12.5% ABV (25°).  

 

Appearance: This Bourbon Cream looked like a glass of chocolate milk.

 

Nose: I could smell nutmeg, brown sugar, and butterscotch. Pulling the air through my lips, I could swear that I was about to sip on an Irish cream.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was relatively thin. I tasted vanilla, Werther’s Original candies, and chocolate milk. There was no separating out a front, middle, or back.  

 

Finish: There’s no throat burn or Kentucky hug. The chocolate and Werther’s Originals stuck around. There was a kiss of nutmeg as well.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The original Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream was delightfully dangerous. There was no evidence of this being an adult beverage in my mouth. It went down way too easily. For the $14.99 this would have cost, I’d drink it all day and even take it over the bottled egg nogs I adore each winter. It earns every bit of my Bottle rating, and I’m damned curious how Lux Row will improve this with its rebranding.

  

And now, the rebranded, which is bottled at 16.5% ABV (33°).  

 

Appearance: This version of Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream still looked like chocolate milk, but the color was darker.  

 

Nose: I could smell something that resembled Bourbon, including an oakiness. It wasn’t a strong wood smell, yet it was unmistakable. Still, there was vanilla cream and nutmeg. Drawing the air through my lips still reminded me of Irish cream.

 

Palate: Whereas the original was thin, the revamped was thick and creamy, almost like a milkshake. I tasted chocolate, nutmeg, caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon.

 

Finish: While there was still no real Kentucky hug, a slight warming whispered it was not a kiddie drink. Cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, and caramel remained in my mouth and throat.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Um, wow. I’ll say this: I don’t see this 750ml Bottle lasting long. Yes, it is worth the buck-a-proof-point premium.

 

My Verdict: Look, these were both delicious. But the new release's creamy texture and oak-ish nose won me over.

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.