Ezra Brooks Straight Rye has been quietly turning up on back bars and in home collections for a while now, and honestly, it deserves more attention than it gets. Bottled at 45% ABV from an Indiana distillery — almost certainly MGP, though the label doesn't confirm it outright — this is a no-age-statement rye that punches well above its price point. At £35.50, you're looking at one of the better value propositions in the American rye category right now.
Indiana rye whiskey has a reputation for a reason. The state's distilling heritage, particularly from the MGP facility in Lawrenceburg, has supplied some of the most respected rye juice on the market. If that's what's in this bottle — and the flavour profile strongly suggests it is — then you're getting access to serious distilling infrastructure at an entry-level price. The 45% ABV is a smart choice too. It sits right in that sweet spot: enough proof to carry flavour and stand up in cocktails, but not so hot that it becomes a chore to sip neat.
What to Expect
As a straight rye whiskey, this has to meet some strict legal requirements under American whiskey law. The mashbill must be at least 51% rye grain, it's been aged in new charred oak barrels, and the 'straight' designation means a minimum of two years in wood with no added colouring or flavouring. That matters, because what you're tasting is honest whiskey — nothing cosmetic, nothing hiding behind additives. The rye-forward mashbill should give you that characteristic spice and herbal backbone that separates rye from bourbon, while the barrel ageing at 45% entry proof brings structure and warmth without overwhelming the grain character.
The Verdict
I keep coming back to the value here. There are ryes at twice the price that don't deliver this level of quality or consistency. Ezra Brooks isn't trying to be a limited-edition showpiece — it's trying to be the bottle you actually reach for on a Tuesday evening, and it succeeds at that. The 45% ABV gives it genuine versatility. It works neat, it works with a rock or two, and it absolutely sings in cocktails. For anyone building out their home bar or looking for a daily-drinker rye, this should be on the shortlist. At 7.8 out of 10, it earns its score through sheer reliability and value. It's not going to change your life, but it's going to make your evening better, and sometimes that's exactly what good whiskey should do.
Best Served
This is a cocktail rye through and through. Make yourself a proper Manhattan — two parts Ezra Brooks, one part sweet vermouth, a couple dashes of Angostura, stirred over ice and strained into a coupe. The 45% ABV means it won't get lost behind the vermouth, and the rye spice gives the drink its backbone. If cocktails aren't your thing, try it neat with a few drops of water to open it up. Either way, you're getting more than your £35.50 worth.
